Poor english skills,should we even bother to apply?

[healthteacher 18]

My spouse would probably fail the english test if she took it right now.If that is the case,should we even bother to apply for citizenship?

Although my spouse is 64 years old,she has only been in US for 3 years,so I don't know if they would give her special consideration. She's trying, but learning english is challenging for her. Also,does the interviewing agent have any discretion at all when passing or failing an applicant?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/exceptions-accommodations

English Language Exemptions

You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:

• Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
  OR
• Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).

[Cheezees 1,514]

I do not believe discretion is used. The criteria are and should be the same for everyone applying within their age category. If she was not ready to pass, why did she apply for citizenship only to be shot in the foot later on?

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Perhaps an English language tutor can be of help. Also, may I ask what is the impetus for wanting citizenship?

[afortunada 182]

Well, it's probably not the "English test" part that she'd fail - the applications are asked to write a simple sentence, such as "The house is red" or "I pay my taxes" or "The girl plays soccer." Then they are asked to read a similarly-simple sentence.

If she is not comfortable with the English language, though, she will probably get confused while the officer is asking her the many questions and may run the risk of failing by answering them incorrectly or possibly saying something that could harm her.

So, it depends; do you mean she is not FLUENT? If not, that is no problem. However, if she really struggles in general, it is not worth your time and not worth the risk of her potentially saying something to hurt her in the future, in my opinion.

[healthteacher 18]

Well, it's probably not the "English test" part that she'd fail - the applications are asked to write a simple sentence, such as "The house is red" or "I pay my taxes" or "The girl plays soccer." Then they are asked to read a similarly-simple sentence.

If she is not comfortable with the English language, though, she will probably get confused while the officer is asking her the many questions and may run the risk of failing by answering them incorrectly or possibly saying something that could harm her.

So, it depends; do you mean she is not FLUENT? If not, that is no problem. However, if she really struggles in general, it is not worth your time and not worth the risk of her potentially saying something to hurt her in the future, in my opinion.

Thanks for the good reply.

Well I guess we thought that aside from losing the application fee,what would be the harm applying? Are there some other risks we need to think about?

Not sure what she could say to "hurt herself in the future" Can you elaborate?

We don't know what an interview is like,but I suppose if she has to carry on a long conversation with many questions as you say, then yes there could be a problem.

Certainly not fluent at this point,but does have some understanding for simple sentences.

How long would she have to wait for a second try if she is denied?

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Thanks for the good reply.

Well I guess we thought that aside from losing the application fee,what would be the harm applying? Are there some other risks we need to think about?

Not sure what she could say to "hurt herself in the future" Can you elaborate?

We don't know what an interview is like,but I suppose if she has to carry on a long conversation with many questions as you say, then yes there could be a problem.

Certainly not fluent at this point,but does have some understanding for simple sentences.

How long would she have to wait for a second try if she is denied?

Can you practice speaking English with her at home. The more you talk about the questions that might be asked, the more comfortable she might be.

Hurt in the future would be something like the officer asking her something about your relationship and her response indicating fraud because she didn't really understand the question or misspoke the response.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Someone in another thread posted this video. It shows the level of English proficiency used in the test.

The reading/writing sentences are a little harder than "The girl plays soccer".

Edited October 7, 2016 by lost_at_sea

[healthteacher 18]

informative video thanks lost

[healthteacher 18]

Perhaps an English language tutor can be of help. Also, may I ask what is the impetus for wanting citizenship?

What is the "impetus" for wanting citizenship? Excuse me but that seems like an odd question.Citizenship is the greatest benefit our country can bestow on an immigrant. Isn't that "impetus" enough?

Hire a tutor? Thanks,gee,why didn't I think of that?

[vanhiscers87 14]

Permanent Residents enjoy almost the same social benefits with U.S. citizens except:

1. Working for federal government;

2. Being elected for public office;

3. Voting;

4. Travel conveniences with U.S. passport.

Therefore, if your wife doesn't care for any of that, then no, she doesn't have to be a citizen.

Also, you may be a native English speaker, but sometimes only a teacher know how to improve someone's listening and speaking skills in a short time. Besides, you may be able to train your wife to understand a native speaker, but a lot of immigration officers are immigrants themselves with a different accent... Are you sure your wife can master English in a short time to the point she can screen through accents with only your help? So yeah, hiring a short-term language trainer isn't a ridiculous notion.

If you think someone's advice is irrelevant to your needs, then please feel free to ignore, there's no need to be mean to someone who's tried to help you.

What is the "impetus" for wanting citizenship? Excuse me but that seems like an odd question.Citizenship is the greatest benefit our country can bestow on an immigrant. Isn't that "impetus" enough?

Hire a tutor? Thanks,gee,why didn't I think of that?

[Cheezees 1,514]

What is the "impetus" for wanting citizenship? Excuse me but that seems like an odd question.Citizenship is the greatest benefit our country can bestow on an immigrant. Isn't that "impetus" enough?

Hire a tutor? Thanks,gee,why didn't I think of that?

Clearly she is not ready to take the citizenship test and the poster is asking why apply now when she's not yet ready. So that naturally led to the question - What is the impetus (at this point)?

For someone who is seeking help, your response is oddly defensive and very rude. Good luck with that nasty attitude.

[healthteacher 18]

sorry if my reply appeared snarky,not my intent