Lack of english a problem at interview?

[Greenmind 0]

My fiance has been studying english but there's still a bit of confusion sometimes, especially speaking/listening. I don't speak Turkish but we both have a lot of patience to get through everything without any frustration. I'm worried that her English or lack there of will be a problem at the interview. Do they expect her to know english? We originally expected the process to take a lot longer but it went through in less than 3 months. Any thoughts on if this will create a problem for us? Everything has gone by flawlessly so far.

Do they every ask questions in regards to intimate moments? hehe

Edited February 6, 2006 by Greenmind

[kaydee457 13]

If she's having an interview in her home country, where they speak her language, they will have an interpreter available if she requests one.

[Greenmind 0]

If she's having an interview in her home country, where they speak her language, they will have an interpreter available if she requests one.

Thanks. Will her lack of english be a strike against her in regards to them believing we have a valid relationship? We chat mostly and that's a lot easier than listening/speaking.

[Yodrak 7]

Greenmind,

Her English-speaking skills are one part of a complete impression that the interviewer will develop about her. If the impression is good, her poor English will be inconsequential. If the impression is bad, her English may (or may not) be one avenue of 'attack' to determine if the relationship is bona fide.

Yodrak

If she's having an interview in her home country, where they speak her language, they will have an interpreter available if she requests one.

Thanks. Will her lack of english be a strike against her in regards to them believing we have a valid relationship? We chat mostly and that's a lot easier than listening/speaking.

[kaydee457 13]

If she's having an interview in her home country, where they speak her language, they will have an interpreter available if she requests one.

Thanks. Will her lack of english be a strike against her in regards to them believing we have a valid relationship? We chat mostly and that's a lot easier than listening/speaking.

When my fiancee (now wife) had her interview I told her to ask for an interpreter, however, I told her if she needed the question to be put to her in her native tongue to be sure and answer the question in english and to respond directly to the C.O.; not the interpreter.

[CarolineM 0]

I don't know for sure, but in their minds, and in mosts minds, I suppose they see communication as a vital part of a marriage. They'll look to see if you two can communicate, because if you can't, they might question your relationship...

I don't know for sure, but if I worked in immigration that would be my idea.

[meddykomp 0]

Yes communication is important. but there are miscommunications even when both people speak the same first language. My husband and I sometimes have to clarify things. He occasionally uses the wrong preposition or other things and my Swedish is practically non existent. I think because of that we actually focus on our communication more than the average couple and it makes us stronger.

[motu 6]

I don't think her knowledge of English matters at all. My fiancee had her interview in Bogota (Colombia) and she told them she wanted to do it in Spanish and she got her visa without a problem! Her AOS (now she is my wife) is in 2 weeks and we will take an interpreter with us - she is still learning English and is trying to get over her fear of saying the wrong thing or not undrerstanding the other person. So! Unless the US embassy in Turkey is stuck on the K1s knowledge of English - she should not have any problems because of that. Good Luck

I don't think her knowledge of English matters at all. My fiancee had her interview in Bogota (Colombia) and she told them she wanted to do it in Spanish and she got her visa without a problem! Her AOS (now she is my wife) is in 2 weeks and we will take an interpreter with us - she is still learning English and is trying to get over her fear of saying the wrong thing or not undrerstanding the other person. So! Unless the US embassy in Turkey is stuck on the K1s knowledge of English - she should not have any problems because of that. Good Luck

[gcox457 0]

In some cases it can be a devastating obstacle in the interview...there is a particular interviewer in Moscow who flat out tells the girls that if they don't conduct the interview in English, he won't approve them. So, there is no way that anyone can definitively tell you that there will be no problem. That said, MOST interviewers treat the beneficiaries fairly in that regard, and as long as the interviewer can be convinced that the two of you successfully communicate (in whatever language), then it in theory should not be an issue. However, if she speaks very poor English, and you don't speak her language...I'd say that was probably going to be a red flag that will require further explanation to satisfy the interviewer that the relationship is indeed bona fide.

[Fandango 1,439]

I don't know for sure, but in their minds, and in mosts minds, I suppose they see communication as a vital part of a marriage. They'll look to see if you two can communicate, because if you can't, they might question your relationship...

I don't know for sure, but if I worked in immigration that would be my idea.

I was thinking the very same thing...

But I have this neighbor who has been married for like 50 years...seriously, no kidding...he doesn't speak spanish, and she speaks no english. Hah, maybe that's the secret to a long marriage

[mr4422 0]

my wife is learning english, and could not communicate in english at her interview. They conducted in in her native language. I think alot has to do with the individual consulates and the person actually doing the interview. I believe that in most cases it is not a problem, but you may run into a hard headed CO.

[ufkenmill 0]

mr4422, how do you and your wife communicate? Do you speak fluent thai? That's gotta be tough for you guys if you don't speak thai and she doesn't speak english. How do you do it?

[mr4422 0]

mr4422, how do you and your wife communicate? Do you speak fluent thai? That's gotta be tough for you guys if you don't speak thai and she doesn't speak english. How do you do it?

We do pretty well most of the time, if i need to make sure she understands something I have her talk to my brother's wife's mom (who is thai/chinese). We also use an english-thai dictionary and electronic translator. Plus, she quit work in november and went to english school for 6 weeks in thailand. She is learning quickly though, and she understands english more than can she speak it. I don't know very much thai myself.

[CarolineM 0]

This is NOT a derrogatory statement at all - this is a GENUINE question....because I am very curious.

HOW do you fall in love with someone when you can't really even communicate?

I dated a guy who did NOT speak English - hardly at all....I had to call it off because I couldn't learn about him, he couldn't learn about me...we couldn't communicate! There was no WAY I could fall in love with someone if I can't even TALK to them...

so this is a serious question...

[motu 6]

This is NOT a derrogatory statement at all - this is a GENUINE question....because I am very curious.

HOW do you fall in love with someone when you can't really even communicate?

Hey Karo:

Language is just one means of communications. That said - how many Americans (or English speaking people) have you met and can not communicate with? I had several friends (including girlfreinds) that could not communicate well enough and that was the end of that - language was not the barrier - their way of thinking and acting was the barrier to our relationship going further.

Currently my wife is learning English and we talk mostly in English - I intend to learn Spanish through a language school (I know a little bit now) but this has not been a hinderance to our relationship. And yes sometimes its a blessing to not know too much - who wants to discuss the sorry state of politics in this country and religious fanaticism in this country (and the world) - better off discussing our trip to California and Vegas! Best wishes to you