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MarcoAndMaria

Language Barrier during interviews?

By MarcoAndMaria in Philippines

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MarcoAndMaria Explorer

MarcoAndMaria   4

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa (DCF) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
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Hey so my husband's interview is coming up and he's struggling with his english...

I'm trying the best I can to support him, but he jumbles up words and is hesitant on answering simple questions. He confuses simple things, and we've been living together for 2 1/2 years.

I asked him what is the problem, and he states that he is nervous cause we americans talk pretty fast, so sometimes he cannot answer the questions confidently and concisely even though I know he knows the answer to them...

So I was wondering, to those who've already taken their interview, if I could get any tips for the language barrier?

I know he knows english, cause I speak it to him so he would get used to it, but it doesn't change the fact that it is not the language he is comfortable in... I know because english is my main language and I'm not as confident in speaking tagalog as I am in english.

Please share your experiences and advice...

Thanks a bunch!

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Sunnyland Proficient

Sunnyland   639

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Argentina
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Posted

Yes, anxiety and nervous can trick you. If he still have some time before the interview maybe he can take some english lessons or bring a translator as other poster mentioned. Hopefully they allow a translator.

In which language you communicate each other? English? All the luck! good.gif

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Tintin and Mike Experienced

Tintin and Mike   127

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
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Request an interpreter or if you're still in the Philippines, go with him to calm him down if starts to panic

Good luck, he should do fine!

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Artisan Enthusiast

Artisan   138

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

You do not have to speak any English at the interview. The consul will ask if you wish to have the interview in English or Tagalog. The American consuls are all proficient in Tagalog and many also speak other dialects as well.

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MarcoAndMaria Explorer

MarcoAndMaria   4

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa (DCF) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
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Posted

You do not have to speak any English at the interview. The consul will ask if you wish to have the interview in English or Tagalog. The American consuls are all proficient in Tagalog and many also speak other dialects as well.

really is that true? I never heard anyone do that before... from all the interview experiences that I've read...

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mfranc68 Collaborator

mfranc68   31

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
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When we did our interview the CO spoke to me in English and my wife in Spanish. The CO who conducts the interview should be fluent in both languages.

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Markieboy Proficient

Markieboy   104

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
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Posted

You do not have to speak any English at the interview. The consul will ask if you wish to have the interview in English or Tagalog. The American consuls are all proficient in Tagalog and many also speak other dialects as well.

Correct! The consuls are fluent in Filipino and other dialects. :yes:

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Artisan Enthusiast

Artisan   138

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

really is that true? I never heard anyone do that before... from all the interview experiences that I've read...

I think for a lot of applicants they want to show they are familiar with English. It is also my experience that many Filipinos are genuinely shocked to experience someone of non-Filipino heritage use Tagalog. I think I gave more than a few people mild heart attacks when they would greet or thank me in English and I would respond in Tagalog or Bicol.

The very first question you are asked when you are at the window is 'Do you want to be interviewed in English or Tagalog?'. The question is asked in English though so it may just be shyness on the part of the applicant to just continue the conversation in English. If the consul detects difficulty in communication I am sure they would switch to Tagalog quickly enough.

Edited by Artisan
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del-2-5-2014 Experienced

del-2-5-2014   1,339

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Filed: Timeline
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An interpreter was provided to my then Fiancee in Lagos. The issue I have with interpreters is not knowing if they interpreted correctly.

My now Wife has been in an adult school since then in preparation for this second interview.

I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Good luck.

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Hank_ Grand Master

Hank_   9,173

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Filed: Other Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hey so my husband's interview is coming up and he's struggling with his english...

I'm trying the best I can to support him, but he jumbles up words and is hesitant on answering simple questions. He confuses simple things, and we've been living together for 2 1/2 years.

I asked him what is the problem, and he states that he is nervous cause we americans talk pretty fast, so sometimes he cannot answer the questions confidently and concisely even though I know he knows the answer to them...

So I was wondering, to those who've already taken their interview, if I could get any tips for the language barrier?

I know he knows english, cause I speak it to him so he would get used to it, but it doesn't change the fact that it is not the language he is comfortable in... I know because english is my main language and I'm not as confident in speaking tagalog as I am in english.

Please share your experiences and advice...

Thanks a bunch!

Obviously the Filipino pre-screener speaks Tagalog... But the COs do also, so there is no worries.

When my wife was doing her interview the CO asked her a question and when she was slow to answer he immediately asked it again in Tagalog without skipping a beat. So relax.

Hank

"Chance Favors The Prepared Mind"

 

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“LET’S GO BRANDON!”

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Glory and Howard Contributor

Glory and Howard   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

No need to worry as most of the consuls now ask the beneficiary if they want to be interviewed in Filipino or English. :) Also, just to make sure you can request for an interpreter to assist the interview. Good luck!

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