A British city is offering free English language lessons to foreign-origin taxi drivers with a poor grasp of the language.
The tourism board in Southampton has started a free seven-week English language course for cabbies to improve their skills as it believes that drivers with a poor knowledge of the language reflect badly on the city’s image.
“Some taxi drivers aren’t giving the best impression. We’ve had some complaints about them not being able to speak a good enough level of English to understand people.”
“Because the cruise ships are worth so much to the city we don’t want them to be giving the wrong impression,” the Daily Express quoted Sarah Davis of Tourism South East as saying.
But the move has irked English drivers.
“It’s not right that Joe Public is being asked to fork out for foreign drivers to be taught English when there are so many drivers out of work. I’ve been in the game for 25 years and am struggling for jobs, as are many of my friends,” Shaun Connolly, a cabbie, said.
Another driver added: “Foreigners should be made to meet the required standard, just like everyone else. If they can’t, then they should not be given our tax money.”
The classes have also angered council chiefs who have accused the tourism board of going behind their backs.
Councillor Royston Smith said: “If drivers can’t speak English we need to know. They don’t have to be great conversationalists. If they meet the minimum standards they will get a licence.”