French mps to vote on idea of a language test for some residency cards

THE MEASURE FEATURES IN THE IMMIGRATION BILL WHICH WILL GO BEFORE PARLIAMENT IN THE NEW YEAR A compulsory language test is planned for anyone applying for a multi-year residency permit, the

interior minister has confirmed. READ MORE: LANGUAGE TEST, NEW RESIDENCE PERMIT: MINISTERS SHARE IMMIGRATION PLANS The plan will be part of an immigration bill – the 29th in the last 20

years – to be debated in parliament in the new year. Gérald Darmanin said in a joint interview for _Le Monde_ with labour minister Olivier Dussopt: “We want to make multi-year _titres de

séjour_ conditional on passing a French language test. “A quarter of foreigners with_ titres de séjour_ speak and understand French very poorly.” READ MORE: IS YOUR FRENCH GOOD ENOUGH TO

PASS NATIONALITY LANGUAGE TEST Mr Darmanin raised the possibility of compulsory French exams earlier in the year, but this will be the first time it will be put to a vote. Nicole

Devel-Laigle, president of EuroMayenne, an association that helps foreigners in western France to integrate, said: “Integrating means living among people from that country, and interacting

with them. This will be more difficult without speaking the language.” Two-thirds of its 180 members are native English speakers. “However, if I put myself in the shoes of our members, it is

true that it’s not always easy to learn a language, especially as a large majority are retired.” _Cartes de séjour pluriannuelles_ can only be granted after a first year spent in France,

either on a _visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour_ (VLS-TS) or on a one-year _carte de séjour temporaire_. There is currently no language requirement for applicants, although they must

sign a ‘Contract of republican integration’, which includes having their French evaluated at the OFII immigration offices. NOT APPLIED TO BREXIT WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT CARDS The change would

not apply to Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards. Those who do not have an A1 level of French must agree to take lessons while in France. The consequences of the proposed exams will be more

severe, according to Mr Darmanin, who told CNEWS: “If they do not succeed, we will take away their _titre de séjour_ and they will have to leave.” READ MORE: HOW TO ACCESS FRENCH LANGUAGE

LESSONS FOR FUN OR A CEFR CERTIFICATE A1 is the lowest level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It means you can have simple interactions when the other

person is prepared to speak slowly and repeat things. It is currently unclear whether the proposed language tests will require A1 level or higher. The next level up, A2, is needed for a

10-year residency card, while those applying for citizenship must demonstrate intermediate B1-level proficiency. Ms Devel-Laigle believes a majority of new arrivals could pass an A1 test “if

they use French a bit when going shopping, or speaking to their neighbours. If they do nothing, I think they will need a few classes”. EuroMayenne offers beginner classes with the aim of

reaching A1 after 36 two-hour lessons. MPs will also be consulted on allowing asylum-seekers from conflict zones to work during their first six months in France, and permitting undocumented

migrants working in industries with labour shortages to remain legally in the country. Mr Darmanin said he will propose the automatic renewal of multi-year _titres de séjour_ for people who

“cause no problems, and who have no criminal record” to avoid making them queue up at the prefecture. There are also plans to register every foreigner ordered to leave France on the wanted

persons list to know when they leave, as only aided and forced departures are currently recorded. RELATED ARTICLES LEARNING FRENCH IS EASIER WHEN YOU DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF MEASURE YOUR

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