She's here.... what now?

[IrinaNMike 0]

I'm going to re-visit the "ESL" argument. First of all, although I have no way of telling who is documented and who is not, the only times I encounter workers who can't speak English (I live in Oregon) are when I want a big hole dug somewhere, or when I want something unbreakable and very heavy carried somewhere. These are not jobs I would want Iriina to apply for. Secondly, among the Russian women Irina has met since arriivng in the US, the primary cause of unhappiness has been failure to find a satisfying and productive job.

ESL classes are not magic. Irina's first teacher was a total nut case, and she learned nothing. Other ways of learning English include, but are not limited to, tutoring from other Russian women, self-study, watching TV and DVD's with the English language or "hearing impaired" options turned on, and joining lots of clubs and social groups. (Irina, in the end, learned more English from talking to me than from any other source).

It's important that she find something to do that makes her feel valued and useful, and English fluency is a means to that end.

[akdiver 3]

It's important that she find something to do that makes her feel valued and useful, and English fluency is a means to that end.

I agree. There is little point in living here if one has no intention of learning English.

Speaking of learning languages, I got an "A" on my RUS102 test #2 this week. (:

Anyway - I don't think I saw taking classes at the local university on your list. They may have ESL in addition to remedial English, depending on what is more appropriate in your case.

Also, and this is really directed at Slim, don't forget about volunteering opportunities. It's a chance to learn or practice English, get out of the house, and start to build references. My wife spoke great English upon arrival, but she wanted to do something to get out, and also practice English. She volunteered at the local library, doing whatever they wanted her to do - they ended up putting her in front of the register at their gift shop, having her shelve books, and more or less be an assistant to some manager. She did maybe 15-20 hours a week for 3 or 4 months. By then, she had her EAD, had no problem getting a real job, and had a solid local reference to help her out - in addition to avoiding being bored at home. Anyway, it did well for her, I highly recommend it for your gal Slim, and for any other new arrival who is not working.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[Satellite 1]

There is little point in living here if one has no intention of learning English.

I wish that was true. It sure would reduce the incentive of illegal immigration. But here in San Francisco you can pretty much get by in your native tongue as long as it belongs to one of the big native enclaves that are already established here. Even the Russian community has their own grocery stores, lawyers, doctors, electricians, etc. We have our own yellow pages. You can take the DMV exam in Russian. Now imagine what the Hispanic or Chinese community has. It sure doesn't look like it is pointless for these people to live here.

[akdiver 3]

There is little point in living here if one has no intention of learning English.

I wish that was true. It sure would reduce the incentive of illegal immigration. But here in San Francisco you can pretty much get by in your native tongue as long as it belongs to one of the big native enclaves that are already established here. Even the Russian community has their own grocery stores, lawyers, doctors, electricians, etc. We have our own yellow pages. You can take the DMV exam in Russian. Now imagine what the Hispanic or Chinese community has. It sure doesn't look like it is pointless for these people to live here.

But you have to live in California (:

Besides, let's face it, California was populated by Mexicans long before the White Man showed up. They're just moving back in (:

Cheers!

AKDiver

[PlatyPius 5]

Slim sez:

"She's here.... what now? :: After fiancee arrival, what needs to be done?"

Dude, if you don't know that, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe call Dr. Ruth?

[Satellite 1]

Besides, let's face it, California was populated by Mexicans long before the White Man showed up. They're just moving back in (:

How do you explain all the other communities? How about other major cities like Chicago, Miami, New York, etc? Plenty of ethnic communities get along just fine without speaking a word of English.

If it was so bad here, they'd be running to Alaska right?

[Jasman0717 9]

I see that you have already received a ton of great advise so will congratulate you both on your reunion and wish the the best in the future.

[PurrSuede 0]

Besides, let's face it, California was populated by Mexicans long before the White Man showed up. They're just moving back in (:

Cheers! AKDiver

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

-- Historical Dan

from: http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/

Between 1846 and 1848, two neighbors, the United States and Mexico, went to war. It was a defining event for both nations, transforming a continent and forging a new identity for its peoples. By the war's end, Mexico lost nearly half of its territory, the present American Southwest from Texas to California, and the United States became a continental power.

[Satellite 1]

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

Let's be historically accurante now.

We bought that territory from Mexico

"The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 1.36 million km² (525,000 square miles) to the United States in exchange for USD$15 million. The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadalupe_Hidalgo

[akdiver 3]

How do you explain all the other communities? How about other major cities like Chicago, Miami, New York, etc? Plenty of ethnic communities get along just fine without speaking a word of English.

I didn't say it was impossible to get along. Not by a long shot. My point was merely that if one wants to have a fulfilling professional career of some kind and be a lifelong resident, fluency in English is highly useful. I can tell you that if I planned to live in any foreign country, I would fully expect to learn the local language...but that's just me.

If it was so bad here, they'd be running to Alaska right?

Oh gawd, I hope not! Even so, most of them would never make it through the first winter anyway.

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

Yes, that was exactly my point. What comes around goes around.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Edited October 27, 2006 by akdiver

[PurrSuede 0]

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

Let's be historically accurante now.

We bought that territory from Mexico

"The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 1.36 million km² (525,000 square miles) to the United States in exchange for USD$15 million. The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadalupe_Hidalgo

Bought? You've got to be kidding me, if you call that historically accurate...

If you want to be historically accurate that was the PEACE TREATY that ended the war. We had already occupied those territories and we had also marched an army of troops into the capital and occupied it. This was no "purchase of land".

Unless perhaps you consider making your real estate "purchases" by holding a gun to the seller's head and dictating your terms?

From: http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/war/w..._guadalupe.html

With the Americans inside the gates and in control of the roads to the south and west, officials believed that their cause was lost and that the capital city would soon become a battleground. Santa Anna, persuaded that the struggle was no longer worth the costs in lives and property, led the battered remnants of the Mexican national army out of town to regroup, rearm, and plot their next move.

In the early hours of September 14, instead of having to fight his way through town, U.S. General Winfield Scott instead received a delegation of Mexican politicians who surrendered the city unconditionally. The U.S. army that had begun the campaign to capture Mexico City in early March now marched triumphantly to the national plaza, victorious at last.

Regarding the treaty itself:

...the treaty has been important in shaping the international and domestic histories of both Mexico and the United States. During the U.S.-Mexican War, U.S. leaders assumed an attitude of moral superiority in their negotiations of the treaty. They viewed the forcible incorporation of almost one-half of Mexico's national territory as an event foreordained by providence, fulfilling Manifest Destiny to spread the benefits of U.S. democracy to the lesser peoples of the continent. Because of its military victory the United States virtually dictated the terms of settlement. The treaty established a pattern of political and military inequality between the two countries, and this lopsided relationship has stalked Mexican-U.S. relations ever since.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo looms larger in the history of Mexico than in that of the United States. Partly because of the loss of valuable territory, the treaty ensured that Mexico would remain an underdeveloped country well into the twentieth century. Mexican historians and politicians view this treaty as a bitter lesson in U.S. aggression.

Further information on this treaty is at:

http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/war/w..._guadalupe.html

[Satellite 1]

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

Let's be historically accurate now.

We bought that territory from Mexico

"The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 1.36 million km² (525,000 square miles) to the United States in exchange for USD$15 million. The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadalupe_Hidalgo

Bought? You've got to be kidding me, if you call that historically accurate...

I was being sarcastic with the " " and just pointing a technicality which can be horribly misinterpreted!

[PurrSuede 0]

I was being sarcastic with the " " and just pointing a technicality which can be horribly misinterpreted!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh Ok, I didn't get that you were being facetious, Satellite...

Yeah, it's real easy to negotiate a treaty when your army is sitting in the other nation's capital.

Anyway... I'm sure Slim appreciates the history lesson in his topic...

-- Dan

[travlnmannn 0]

Anybody know where I can get some information on Russia ? I've seem to step into the history lesson on the U.S. Mexican war.

[PurrSuede 0]

Anybody know where I can get some information on Russia ? I've seem to step into the history lesson on the U.S. Mexican war.

Have you tried the Mexican forum, perhaps??

-- Dan