I arrived at Seattle on March 12th, 2008 from Colombia and -as many people here- I left behind everything: Family, Friends, my job and my stuff. Actually, I was too busy and just expecting the day of my trip arrives in order to be with my husband at last, but...I was not ready for the scary adjusting period I am living right now (I have lived in other countries), the fears, being suddenly without job, friends, family, totally new in the city, the change of culture and my main fear: English is my second language. Even though I studied in London, there is a huge difference between "I speak English" and " really I do speak English". Of course, I am in the first statement...

I speak with my husband 100% of the time in English, I am working very hard on it, I have good but not perfect speaking, writing and reading, I developed my former job in English in Bogota since I worked for an American Reinsurance company, but my understanding has been my big problem...it is too hard to understand people here!...I can keep a conversation but I get lost in some point, I went alone to take my written test in English for the driving license and I passed it but I could not fully understand the clerk of the Driving License office when I took the vision test! and this is just one of my stories.

I know this process takes time, I just want to share these feeling with you guys, I have a wonderful husband who has been very supportive and he makes me feel that this process is worth it but finally I decided to talk about and receive your advices about your own experiences with this part.

Most important, I have a very good professional profile but I am very but very worried about job...Why can I expect from the employers? it is possible to get a job without perfect English? I am very afraid of going to interviews and not understand totally, I always imagine I am talking with the teacher of "Peanuts", it sounds stupid but it's the true ...

I am still waiting for my EAD which will arrive in August, but this fear is living with me every day, even though my English is improving a lot talking with people, reading, listening to the radio, movies, etc. Getting a job is extremely important for me but facing this new challenge really terrifies me ...

Thanks in advance for your support guys.

Yazz

you will probably be more qualified than the other applicants.

your english is fine.

and, if you like, you can always move to south florida.

nobody speaks english here anymore

Yazz,

First of all, your written English is exceptional! And do not stress yourself out about it so much. I know it's easier said than done, lol When I first moved to the US I was going through the very same things... ppl would talk to me and I'll be like "HUH?" It gets better, believe me. Just continue talking English to your hubby, don't be shy to talk to his family/friends, if you don't understand anything - ask to repeat or speak slower. Mind you, Americans might tease you about the accent, don't take it personally though . Listening to the radio and watching movies in English is a good way to learn as well. As time passes, you'll be speaking perfect English (well, with a hint of your unique accent ).

As to the job, depends on what area you want to work at. Some require better command of English, some don't. But trust me on this one, there are so many ppl in America who don't speak a word of English (I personally know a dosen Russians and Ukrainians ) and still make good money. Looks like you have two good months before you can start working, so spend this time learning. My English improved in a matter of months, just because I tried to talk as much as possible to those around me. I wish you best of luck!!!Ana

I agree with Ana. Your english is fine.

And considering I in theory speak English (being Australian) people still don't always understand me. Including John's mum at times. The guy at the hardware store said I talk like a hillbilly but I confused him because I didn't look like one!!!???

I worked with Australian girl last summer and all our office Americans got into habit of saying "Noi" instead of "No" in order to copy her fab. accent The one thing I learned is that "real" Americans just love to hear us foreigners talk

Thanks a lot for your advices and compliments Guys, I really appreciate them... my husband says the same, that my English is fine but the problem is my self -confidence and he is right, I have been very self confident in the past but the idea of facing a new work environment with other language make feel very scary, it's the true...did you feel the same fear at the beginning?

I know that this happens even with people who speak English as well, different accents...

Ana, thanks for your advices about employers here, that is my problem, the uncertainty about the kind of job I am going to get with my English...

When I first moved to the US to attend high school, I was beyond terrified. I did not know anybody, man I even had to live with stranger who later became my second family . All it takes is time. You will get a job if you want to. I did several exchange programs in Florida with students from all over the world: from Russia to Germany. Some had excellent English, some could only say "Hi", and everyone was working two or more jobs. Hotels, restaurants, even small offices hired them no problem. Last summer my internship resort hosted a girl from Argentina with little English. She worked at Front Desk and had no problems. Later on she got a second job helping a lawyer in his private practise. Yazz, there are options! Just give yourself some time to adjust to your new surrounding. You just moved into totally different world, different culture and it is not that easy. You are lucky to have such a caring husband to help you through this! I sincerely wish you all the best, dear!

Ana

Yazz, I'm glad I could help Feel free to PM me! I have many more success stories to share And thank you for the warm wishes on my visa. Can't wait to be back with my darling!

Ain't that the truth!!!!!...Don't worry about your English, it sounds just fine! To be able to speak a professional Spanish AND English like you do, you will be an asset to any company.

Looks like your English is pretty darn good to me. I am sure you will do fabulously in the job arena....Good Luck!!!

Gracias por tus palabras!,realmente me animan muchisimo, es cierto, espero que mi espanol sea un plus importante para mi perfil y asi conseguir un buen trabajo...

Un abrazo y te comento que tengo grandes amigos panamenos, soy su madrina de boda!, Panama es un pais hermoso...

Yazz




Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your good wishes!


Yazz

I believe this is the problem my fiancee has (also coming from a South American country like yourself). She studied here for 10 months and we talk everyday over the phone in English. It's not so much that her English isn't good (which it really is), but her lack of self-confidence of believing that one day she would be able to speak it fluently (albeit with a sexy accent).

I strongly recommend taking courses, if necessary, to brush up on the grammar and other parts. Depending on the area they can be free to expensive. There are also other courses to brush up on any weaknesses, and even us Americans don't speak it perfectly.

Best of luck!

I know for a fact that at least in FL people who speak both Spanish and English have vast employment opportunities. I am seriously thinking about learning Spanish myself.

It's no the job, Jack is absolutely right, it's the confidence problem. Thus, I have a message to all those husbands who married bonita (beautiful, right? ) woman from Latin America and for that matter rest of the world, please be supportive and patient. It might seem weird how she can think her language ability is bad when she talks perfectly fine. And it might even get annoying/frustrating at times. But from a viewpoint of someone who did survive adjustment to American culture couple years ago, it is tough to be thrown into this world. The way people talk, carry themselves, go about daily routine is so different compared to "back home". All this is really overwhelming. You start worrying about fitting in, culture clashes, doing things the wrong way... Even the most confident lady can start questioning herself.

Time really helps to re-gain that confidence. What helped me, was not focusing on my "cultural mishaps." Today I look back at them with a smile. Man, even now, after living in the US for a total of four years (back and forth ) I still do silly things and feel like and idiotic foreigner