English as a 2nd language(or 3rd, 4th language)

[slbois 0]

Hi ME/NA group,

I've been reading some posts regarding proficiency in english with ME/NA significant others.

Okay, my husband speaks about 5 words of english on a good day. When I encourage him to learn english he says he is getting around to it (yeah right) and partially blames me because we have never used english to communicate.

My husband is very intelligent speaks 4 languages fluently (as do many Moroccans) so I cringe at the thought of him being looked at as stupid because of his limited english.

How well did your SO speak english when they came to the US? Was it hard for them to learn and/or has it affected their ability to obtain a decent job???

[Henia 11]

Esalaam/Salut/Hello

Best way to learn to is around native speakers and actually be forced to "learn" to speak.

I would suggest to him to watch the English Arabe channels like the MBC channels to get a "taste" of English. And constantly talk to him or other people (family, friends) ... but in the end. I would NOT worry. He with language skills will pick it up very easily.

[doodlebug 3]

Once he gets here you could have him attend an english as a second language group. They offer them for free via the America's Literacy Institute. I was going to have my husband take a course from the local community college but Sarah and Hicham recommended this group and heck it's free so that sounds good to me! http://www.literacydirectory.org/

My husband will have to wait about three months I would imagine before he can work so this will be a nice intro to learning how to use the train system to get to wherever it is that offers the course and meanwhile he'll improve his English. He is fluent in Arabic and German and he does very well speaking and understanding English but writing and recognizing numbers (which is confusing since I thought we got our numbers from Arabic...) is a whole nuther ball of wax.

[mybackpages 0]

As long as you have a common language that the two of you speak, there is no need for him to speak English at the interview. As far as knowing enlish when he arrives and how hard it will be, depends on where you live. Is there a large community of Arabic or other language speakers? His first job might be at a place where they hire immigrants. For example, I know one place here in Houston where they hire many ME/NA applicants and some do not speak English either.

Good luck!

[dollface41601 0]

I would say my husband is almost fluent, but with hsi accent, its still hard for him people who dontknow him, to understand him, so i would encourage you to force your SO to learn english, It will pay off alot more when he tries to find a job in the US.

[slbois 0]

Once he gets here you could have him attend an english as a second language group. They offer them for free via the America's Literacy Institute. I was going to have my husband take a course from the local community college but Sarah and Hicham recommended this group and heck it's free so that sounds good to me! http://www.literacydirectory.org/

Thanks so much! I have already found a community center that offers ESL classes free with the link you provided. I never would have thought to check there.

As long as you have a common language that the two of you speak, there is no need for him to speak English at the interview. As far as knowing enlish when he arrives and how hard it will be, depends on where you live. Is there a large community of Arabic or other language speakers? His first job might be at a place where they hire immigrants. For example, I know one place here in Houston where they hire many ME/NA applicants and some do not speak English either.

Good luck!

Hmmm.... Maybe we need to relocate to Houston..lol. We live in a small Florida town. The only other Arabs I know are doctors and their wives. I can't foresee him working in the medical field any time soon.

Esalaam/Salut/Hello

Best way to learn to is around native speakers and actually be forced to "learn" to speak.

I would suggest to him to watch the English Arabe channels like the MBC channels to get a "taste" of English. And constantly talk to him or other people (family, friends) ... but in the end. I would NOT worry. He with language skills will pick it up very easily.

I would say my husband is almost fluent, but with hsi accent, its still hard for him people who dontknow him, to understand him, so i would encourage you to force your SO to learn english, It will pay off alot more when he tries to find a job in the US.

Thanks guys for your encouragement. I guess I should start whipping him into shape now before he gets here. I feel much better knowing that I'm not alone. Thanks again!

[sarah and hicham 3]

My husband didn't speak English when he got here. I looked into ESL classes and he went to a few but hated them. Then we found out that the literacy council had free one on one english tutoring and Hicham went twice a week and it helped him speak and read. Since then he has learned from watching TV, working, and being with American friends where he is forced to speak English.

Good luck!

[Henia 11]

Heeeeeeeeey Sarah, how are you and Hicham doing? Long time no see.... I am in Cali and I thought about as I flew in...too bad you are in the south.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Heeeeeeeeey Sarah, how are you and Hicham doing? Long time no see.... I am in Cali and I thought about as I flew in...too bad you are in the south.

Hey Henia!

We're doing well, thank you!

What are you doing in California? Where are you?

How are you guys doing?

[Henia 11]

Coolbeans Sarah... we are fine. Took my daughter to see her father in the Bay Area (Pinole, kinda North Bay) , then heading to Alger. I miss houbi! How is your plans for Culinary school going?

[sarah and hicham 3]

Coolbeans Sarah... we are fine. Took my daughter to see her father in the Bay Area (Pinole, kinda North Bay) , then heading to Alger. I miss houbi! How is your plans for Culinary school going?

It's going well! Hicham enjoys testing new recipes.

I was in Monterey this weekend for Father's Day. How's the weather up there?