A school photo with a difference.

@terry wrote:

A photograph of students from a Birmingham school and an indication of the language divide that exists there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2155938/The-primary-school-pupils-speak-31-different-languages–class-just-single-British-pupil.html

Panda was criticised for missing the point in her first post, although she did not deny the existence of the school or the languages. The original photo, which did not refer to an article, evidenced nothing more.

The article, to which we now have direct access thanks to Martin’s response to tinks’ intervention, mentions top SAT scores achieved in the school, partly attributed to the cultural values of the children’s homes. Respect for teachers is also mentioned.

Open-mindedness of the mostly muslim parents in sending their children to a Catholic school is also implied.

So although the Daily Mail has been referred to negatively in this post, the Article itself, beyond the opening sentences, is almost totally positive. Investment for support for the language spread seems to be paid back in results.

Across the world international schools are well attended and use a similar approach to educate children from all over the world, getting similar results.

This doesn’t negate the value of discussing the other issues referred to in this thread. But if the photo and the heading are to indicate the intended context for discussion in the thread, it is a shame that positive reactions to a scene of educational and social success seem to have been dismissed quite so harshly.

In itself neither the article nor the photo refers to floodgates, eastern Europeans, competition for jobs or housing. It simply indicates a range of languages being spoken in a seemingly successful, orderly school.

I like that.