Dr Studdert-Kennedy and his allies reckon that although Fast ForWord does appear to improve languagecompetence, it may not be for the reasons that Dr Tallal and Dr Merzenich have claimed.
Given that about 70% of the sex workers in Amsterdam are foreigners, the new rules require operators to test the languagecompetence of the applicants to ensure they can understand and be understood during job conditions discussions as well as about their rights and obligations.
The cross-party committee said a number of former ambassadors had stressed the importance of speaking the local language when posted abroad, one suggesting any downgrading of linguistic competence would be a "terrible mistake".