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English test is ‘ludicrous’
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Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  English test is ‘ludicrous’
English test is ‘ludicrous’ claim outraged cabbies


Cabbies in Staines will soon have to take a spoken English test before they can get behind the wheel, a move taxi drivers branded “ludicrous”.

A Spelthorne Council official confirmed the licensing department is looking to introduce a 15-minute interview alongside the existing application.

Taxi drivers have branded the plan unnecessary, claiming the council should be using time and cash to police present cab problems, including Hackney carriages illegally flooding car parks, drivers urinating in public places and unruly behaviour.

Staines driver Terry Lyden, who has been a cabbie for 20 years, said: “I don’t honestly think we need yet more costly bureaucracy. Spelthorne cannot or will not control elements of licensing even after five years, it’s ludicrous.

“I think an English test should simply consist of the applicant’s ability to understand where passengers want to go and be able to converse as to fares etc.”

He added: “Most of the guys I spoke to last night about the English test were incredulous and some felt slighted. ‘Why should an Englishman have to take an English test?’ was the point of view expressed, but obviously others may have different views.”

Mr Lyden, who works for private hire firm Ronia Mini Cabs, said since the council agreed to a three-car Hackney carriage rank at the station things had gone from bad to worse for private cabs, as carriage drivers flood the car park blocking the private firm’s office.

Lynda Murley, owner of Ronia Mini Cabs in Gresham Road, said: “We have enough problems as it is.

“As a private firm people call us for taxis. But these carriage drivers, who are from all over, not just Spelthorne, block our offices so people think they are getting in one of our cabs.

“We get all the phone calls if people leave something in their cab, it’s just not fair to the public. Because we are a private firm we have to provide toilets and a rest space.

“I have seen Hackney drivers urinating against the wall behind our office and they think it’s very funny.

“They have also parked outside our office and shouted at customers waiting for cabs. Spending time and money on doing a spoken English test is not going to solve our problems.”

Spelthorne Council environmental health officer Jonathan Bramley said the authority was looking at adopting a 15-minute interview similar to Manchester Council, but the cost of applying for a licence will not change and it is only new applicants who would sit the test.

He said: “It is our aim to preserve the safety of the public. Everyone, no matter what nationality, will sit the test.”

The test

Cabbies will take a talking task, with questions such as “Describe a recent journey you took” or “Describe your favourite place in Staines”.

There is also an understanding task where they must show they are able to understand commonly used phrases such as “Can you drop me after the lights?” or “Can I have a receipt?”
Author:  Stationtone [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope they do not introduce that in Scotland as some tourist do not understand me in-fact some of my friends don't ,they say i talk s...
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
stationtone wrote:
I hope they do not introduce that in Scotland as some tourist do not understand me in-fact some of my friends don't ,they say i talk s...



its not WHAT you say, its HOW you say it...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8T-AYKo_ygk
Author:  toots [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
a 15-minute interview alongside the existing application.


That's not too much time and effort seeing as you are already there filling in your application

Quote:
claiming the council should be using time and cash to police present cab problems


One would pressume that this test will be taken during office hours when the LO's are usually in the office so it should not in fact cost much if any more than current wage levels anyway. As stated in the report it isn't going to put licences up so they either don't want to spend money on policing or they currently don't have any money to spend on policing.

IMO I think it's a good idea :D
Author:  MR T [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope that they have some qualifications to back up any decisions they make make.
Author:  toots [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
MR T wrote:
I hope that they have some qualifications to back up any decisions they make make.


NVQ in English Language should do the trick. I think that is the equivilant of your CSE grade 1 or an O'Level :D
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
toots wrote:
MR T wrote:
I hope that they have some qualifications to back up any decisions they make make.

I think that is the equivilant of your CSE grade 1 or an O'Level :D


WOW! I remember them.

CC
Author:  GBC [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps Spelthorne could introduce the following question to their test:

Did you know it's illegal to ply for hire in Central London?

It seems a few of their drivers who own LTI vehicles have some difficulty with that one. :?
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
GBC wrote:
Perhaps Spelthorne could introduce the following question to their test:

Did you know it's illegal to ply for hire in Central London?

It seems a few of their drivers who own LTI vehicles have some difficulty with that one. :?

Maybe Westminster should give them a rank. :D
Author:  grandad [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
toots wrote:

NVQ in English Language should do the trick. I think that is the equivilant of your CSE grade 1 or an O'Level :D


Thats me done for then, I only got a grade 3 CSE in English.
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:
Thats me done for then, I only got a grade 3 CSE in English.


Started work at 15, didnt bother with exams. :shock:

CC
Author:  toots [ Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:00 am ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
grandad wrote:
Thats me done for then, I only got a grade 3 CSE in English.


Started work at 15, didnt bother with exams. :shock:

CC


Well I've got exam results coming out of my ears but it ain't gonna make me earn anymore money but then money will not make you happy :D
Author:  grandad [ Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:15 am ]
Post subject: 
toots wrote:
captain cab wrote:
grandad wrote:
Thats me done for then, I only got a grade 3 CSE in English.


Started work at 15, didnt bother with exams. :shock:

CC


Well I've got exam results coming out of my ears but it ain't gonna make me earn anymore money but then money will not make you happy :D


I also have a string of qualifications and I certainy think they helped me to earn more money before I decided to work for myself, or should that be the wife's puppet. :D
Author:  captain cab [ Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:20 am ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:

I also have a string of qualifications and I certainy think they helped me to earn more money before I decided to work for myself, or should that be the wife's puppet. :D


I havent even got a string :lol:

CC
Author:  toots [ Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:20 am ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:
toots wrote:
captain cab wrote:
grandad wrote:
Thats me done for then, I only got a grade 3 CSE in English.


Started work at 15, didnt bother with exams. :shock:

CC


Well I've got exam results coming out of my ears but it ain't gonna make me earn anymore money but then money will not make you happy :D


I also have a string of qualifications and I certainy think they helped me to earn more money before I decided to work for myself, or should that be the wife's puppet. :D


I've worked for myself or my father since I was 22 I think I might die if I had to work for somebody else on a 9 - 5 regime :roll:
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