Need to learn english and arabic

[sarah and hicham 3]

Yikes... I would imagine you would have a hard time if you don't share a common language...

I guess personally I can't imagine even thinking about marrying someone I can't speak to clearly using a common language. I just don't get it.

[chiquita 0]

I know we have some time but I'm very concerned about the interview. Tarek feels he will be more comfortable doing the interview in arabic but I know we would have to prove that we are able to communicate with each other. Right now I don't feel confident that we can do that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated especially if you've been in the same situation.

Thanks everyone. This website has already been a great help!!

Connie

Connie,

i know you are asking for help in learning each others language, but i want to caution you it is indeed a 'red flag' for the CO to return your petition to USCIS for revocation due to the validity of your relationship. the Co will certainly question his usage of English. read the section on denied petitions to get informed to protect yourself against this happening to you.

chi

[chiquita 0]

Yikes... I would imagine you would have a hard time if you don't share a common language...

I guess personally I can't imagine even thinking about marrying someone I can't speak to clearly using a common language. I just don't get it.

if we are thinking that, well what will the CO be thinking?

Connie you need to be concerned about this issue. or you will be joining the group of us who were denied a visa "due to the validity of the relationship". you dont want this, no way, been there and it is not nice or easy or good or pretty or cheap.

chi

[mybackpages 0]

Yikes... I would imagine you would have a hard time if you don't share a common language...

I guess personally I can't imagine even thinking about marrying someone I can't speak to clearly using a common language. I just don't get it.

I keep thinking of the things that need to be discussed before any marriage much less abi-national one- money, children, religion, family, lifestyles, etc. Love just isn't enough when some of these conflicts arise after the marriage IMHO

[sarah and hicham 3]

Wait, did you meet online? How long ago? How on earth were you able to get to know eachother?

Chiquita has a very good point- this is a red flag that can lead to the questioning the validity of your relationship which could in turn lead to big problems.

[chiquita 0]

Yikes... I would imagine you would have a hard time if you don't share a common language...

I guess personally I can't imagine even thinking about marrying someone I can't speak to clearly using a common language. I just don't get it.

I keep thinking of the things that need to be discussed before any marriage much less abi-national one- money, children, religion, family, lifestyles, etc. Love just isn't enough when some of these conflicts arise after the marriage IMHO

oh yes, so true.

Connie do you know about 'red flags'? what if the CO asks him about these issues? have you both discussed all of these subjects in detail so he is comfortable giving answers for the interview?

chi

[sarah and hicham 3]

Yikes... I would imagine you would have a hard time if you don't share a common language...

I guess personally I can't imagine even thinking about marrying someone I can't speak to clearly using a common language. I just don't get it.

I keep thinking of the things that need to be discussed before any marriage much less abi-national one- money, children, religion, family, lifestyles, etc. Love just isn't enough when some of these conflicts arise after the marriage IMHO

Right... that's just a phew of the things that I think should be discussed before marrying. This is mind boggling.

[phila 0]

Well, I do "get it". I am madly in love with Omer from Turkey, and we have spoken every night on the phone since August. His English is terrible, but it is good enough for us to connect to each other and our feelings. I'm currently enrolled in two Turkish language classes, but my progress is at a snails pace...

That being said, yes, when we were together over the winter break, we often did charades with enormous laghter. We hardly ever needed the dictionary. But, we are just plain in love, and figure it all out.

The interview will be a challenge, but more importantly, coming to the states will be pure culture shock.

You shouldn't put down people because of language barriers. Just a thought.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Well, I do "get it". I am madly in love with Omer from Turkey, and we have spoken every night on the phone since August. His English is terrible, but it is good enough for us to connect to each other and our feelings. I'm currently enrolled in two Turkish language classes, but my progress is at a snails pace...

That being said, yes, when we were together over the winter break, we often did charades with enormous laghter. We hardly ever needed the dictionary. But, we are just plain in love, and figure it all out.

The interview will be a challenge, but more importantly, coming to the states will be pure culture shock.

You shouldn't put down people because of language barriers. Just a thought.

No one is putting her down... we're helping her realize she is going to have a hard time at the interview if they don't share a common language.

That's great that you "get it". I guess for some people they don't need to talk about the things that MyBackPages listed above seriously before commiting to marriage.

[doodlebug 3]

Welcome to MENA!

[mybackpages 0]

I use to wonder why everyone took comments made about relationships with age gaps or language barriers or something else unique so personally. Now I wonder if it's because women in these relationships have to hear these doubts from family members, friends, strangers, media etc and when they hear it hear, it is a safe place to respond.

The truth is some women on this board (not just MENA) will be used for a greencard. More will enter a marriage that is legitimate, but it will fail due to the complications of a bi-national, bi-cultural relationship. None of us want to think it is going to be us.

Maybe since the OP started this thread as a way to find info about language resources, a better place to carry on this discussion is in this thread which adresses the reality of failed and successful marriages and what it takes to go into one of these.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61866

If anyone is really interested in talking about this

[lion_lioness 0]

I think the originally OP was scared away. I understand everyone's concern, but isn't there a way to say it without overwhelming. It's great that someone mentioned it sure, but then its been said so........

My ex spoke english rather well and it still didn't work out for us for different/many reasons. You never know. Some people are stressed because their case may be in limbo and others are probably still adjusting. Never know each person's situation. We only know what we "type" here.

In the hopes of not offending anyone, please let's stay positive.

To the OP def take what the others have said into consideration and the good news is you can mention it before the consulate says anything to you. Stress that you both speak both languages, maybe even write your letter of intent for his interview in arabic if you can, that's a good idea i think - Chiquita what do you think about that - good idea?

Anyhoo good luck.

peace,

prena

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I think shes new, she ask a decent question about language because it is something they want to overcome. She wasnt asking for someone unfimilar with her life if they "got it". There are many maybes but not up to us to judge .....hopefully she got some answers and can find some help with the language teachings. Good luck

[thkcmp 0]

Hi everyone,

I just found and joined VJ a couple of weeks ago. I am in the process of gathering all the information and filling out the forms to petition for a k-1 visa for my fiance, Tarek, in Morocco. We have a problem I'm hoping someone here might be able to help us with.

I went to Morocco to meet Tarek in person in February. He knows a little english and i know a little arabic. Between the combination and some charades we did much better than I thought but there were still times that we needed someone to translate for us.

I have purchased several audios and software that teaches arabic but haven't been able to find the moroccan dialect so a lot of what i'm learning from this software turns out to be incorrect. Does anyone know of something out there that teaches the correct dialect?

Also, I've searched for something to help Tarek to learn more english but he doesn't read very much english alphabet so he would need something that is also in arabic writing. Can anyone help me there?

I know we have some time but I'm very concerned about the interview. Tarek feels he will be more comfortable doing the interview in arabic but I know we would have to prove that we are able to communicate with each other. Right now I don't feel confident that we can do that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated especially if you've been in the same situation.

Thanks everyone. This website has already been a great help!!

Connie

I'd like to thank everyone for their input and replies to my post. Do I know about the "red flags"? Yes. Do I know that this is a really serious problem? Yes. Do I think that Tarek will be denied a visa because of it? Yes Do I already know all the things that everyone has said in reply? Yes

That is why I am asking for information on software, tapes, audios, books, etc. for an American to learn Moroccan Arabic and for a Moroccan to learn English. As I said, I haven't filed yet so we have time to correct this situation.

As for the charades....I should have put that in different words. I do know one other language besides English and some Arabic......sign language. It is alot like playing charages when talking to the deaf and a lot of the signs are obvisous and it works beautifully though I know that Tarek knowing some sign language is not going to help the problem at hand.

I have been checking into the sites of those who replied about learning Arabic and English. I have been given some good sources. Thanks to all of you who answered the question being asked.

Connie

[Captain Ewok 1,871]

How did you decide you could marry someone that you still have to do charades with?

C'mon lets not pick fights or start problems that take away from the good nature on VJ. Maybe I am wrong but lets all be a little more sensitive . Thanks!