Views Of Foreign Students On U.K. Way Of Life Sought

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29260, 19 July 1960, Page 9

Views Of Foreign Students On U.K. Way Of Life Sought

(Special Correspondent NJLPJ).)

CRec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 17. To discover the type of people who come to Britain and their attitude to the English, the St. Albans College of Further Education has sent a questionnaire to some of the 250 foreign students from European countries at the Oxford School of Commerce. Some of the students refused to answer because the questions were too personal. The questionnaire has also been sent to other schools in London and the Home counties and will be circulated-in Manchester, Cambridge, Brighton and Leeds. The results will be made known to the Ministry of Education and the British Council. The students are asked whether they agree with “some statements expressing views about the English” such as:

There is something strange about the English—you never know what they are thinking or plan-

ning. The English are well-known for their hypocrisy. There are a few exceptions, but on the whole the English have loose morals. The English do not hesitate to adopt any kind of means, fair or unfair, to gain their ends.

The English often do not look after their old parents. England is an unwelcome country for any visitor to come to.

The students are given five alternatives to mark: I strongly agree, I agree, I am uncertain, I disagree, I strongly disagree. It was stated by the man who composed the questionnaire that these were ‘‘attitude’’ questions. “We want to know exactly what they are going to say about us when they go home,” he said.

Particular attention has been given to German students and separate questionnaires in German have been printed. They are asked: "If you are a German, do you think there is any discrimination against Germans in England.” The reason for this, is the many articles in the German press, some of which have criticised conditions in Britain. The information is required from those who are staying with English families as “au pair” guests. They are asked to estimate the age of the husband and to describe his occupation. They are then asked to complete the sentence: “I would be happier with my family in England if only . . .”