I'm able to understand Cantonese but can't speak it. Can I say I have basic proficiency?

[PreMedStudent55555]

I grew up in a household that spoke cantonese a lot. It's a dialect of chinese. I can say a few words in cantonese but can understand it very well somehow without ever having learned the language. Anyways, when I apply on AMCAS, would I designate that I have a basic proficiency in Cantonese or is there space to describe my proficiency?

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[500miles]

First of all, that's cool you understand Cantonese! I am pretty sure any type of proficiency would involves being able to speak too. Can you read and write as well? Either way, you should pursue trying to speak it as bilingualism is awesome for medicine!

 

[faerie62]

Imo that would count as basic proficiency
lots of people who put basic proficiency could not understand the language spoken at a normal level

 

[capriccio]

IMO any proficiency requires speaking and listening skill, unfortunately.

 

[LizzyM]

I know the feeling. Work on your speaking skills, if possible, by engaging with a native speaker. Maybe you could become a friendly visitor to an elderly person who would help you learn to go beyond your limited vocabulary. That can be an "EC", too. 😉

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

I know the feeling. Work on your speaking skills, if possible, by engaging with a native speaker. Maybe you could become a friendly visitor to an elderly person who would help you learn to go beyond your limited vocabulary. That can be an "EC", too. 😉

Oh that's a good one! Thanks for the suggestion @LizzyM !

 

[dr_kateb]

What if you can speak and understand but can’t read beyond very basic characters?

 

[freedoctor17]

I put down my native language as a second language (because i speak english better) and one of my interviewers started speaking to me in my native language. It threw me off a little because I hadnt expected it but luckily I grew up speaking it so I was able to communicate fine. The interview ended up being half english/half other language.

This only happened at 1 interview but it can happen.

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

I put down my native language as a second language (because i speak english better) and one of my interviewers started speaking to me in my native language. It threw me off a little because I hadnt expected it but luckily I grew up speaking it so I was able to communicate fine. The interview ended up being half english/half other language.

This only happened at 1 interview but it can happen.

Cool. I'll keep it in mind

 

[freedoctor17]

Cool. I'll keep it in mind

Also for this school it also asked about it on the secondary and the proficiency level so that mightve been part of it.

 

[doc05]

I grew up in a household that spoke cantonese a lot. It's a dialect of chinese. I can say a few words in cantonese but can understand it very well somehow without ever having learned the language. Anyways, when I apply on AMCAS, would I designate that I have a basic proficiency in Cantonese or is there space to describe my proficiency?

No, this is not basic proficiency.

To put it in perspective: my dog understands English very well, but she can't speak a word. Is she proficient?

 

[freedoctor17]

No, this is not basic proficiency.

To put it in perspective: my dog understands English very well, but she can't speak a word. Is she proficient?

Uh I wouldn't compare your dog understanding basic english commands to a person who can understand a complex human language. I think they realized it's not considered proficient by this point and are considering the options people have listed out here.

 

[doc05]

Uh I wouldn't compare your dog understanding basic english commands to a person who can understand a complex human language. I think they realized it's not considered proficient by this point and are considering the options people have listed out here.

You have no sense of humor. Must be a millennial.

Also, I'd venture to guess that the OP doesn't understand nearly as much as they think.

 

[freedoctor17]

You have no sense of humor. Must be a millennial.

Also, I'd venture to guess that the OP doesn't understand nearly as much as they think.

It's difficult to tell when people are joking around or just being a******* when it's in text. My bad for the confusion.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

No, don't do it.
In my many years in medicine interviewing, there have been multiple occasions where applicants for medical school or residency have been met by interviewers that just so happened to speak the language the student was claiming to speak. And the interview, or course, happened to a greater or lesser extent in that language.

 

[LizzyM]

Basic as in speaking imperfectly and to a limited degree in limited situations sounds like what the OP can do. If you can say, "hello, Grandmother. how are you? Bye, bye, I love you, Grandma. " that fits the definition of basic and no one seeing that you claim a basic proficiency in Cantonese or Polish or Spanish or Greek is going to try to interview you in that language.

 

[Crayola227]

What if you can speak and understand but can’t read beyond very basic characters?

This sounds like basic at least.

My understanding is that it's mostly the conversing aspect of language that is being assessed in the categories or on an interview.

 

[Crayola227]

And I am + 1 on being interviewed in my second language.

 

[Crayola227]

Don't feel bad about putting your language skills down as low. Better to do that. If you claim higher and then suck, well, that doesn't come off well. If you put basic and then you suck, any degree of honest effort in another language reflects well on you. Don't feel bad for having a lack of 2nd language skills. Feel bad if you exaggerate and are found out.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Don't feel bad about putting your language skills down as low. Better to do that. If you claim higher and then suck, well, that doesn't come off well. If you put basic and then you suck, any degree of honest effort in another language reflects well on you. Don't feel bad for having a lack of 2nd language skills. Feel bad if you exaggerate and are found out.

I used to have decent proficiency in another language, but haven’t spoken it conversationally in 11 years. I didn’t even list it because I was terrified someone would try to interview me in the language, and all I can say is very basic stuff now (though I can still understand more than I can speak).

 

[Rachapkis]

I would accurately describe your language skills, rather than trying to put a one-word label on them. Your language skills will not make or break your application. However, if an interviewer determines that you overstated your language proficiency, that could be the death knell for your application.

 

[chemdoctor]

No, simply understanding a language well is only half of basic proficiency. Not being to speak it at a basic level means you have no proficiency.

Just to add, being multilingual has near zero impact on an application. Saying you are proficient and then being interviewed by a fluent Cantonese speaker would have serious negative impact on your application (yes schools will occasionally do this)

What if you can speak it but can't read or write it? Would that count as basic proficiency? It has to count for something right? I can understand and speak two languages but cannot read or write them. (but I can speak them fluently)

 

[chemdoctor]

Don't feel bad about putting your language skills down as low. Better to do that. If you claim higher and then suck, well, that doesn't come off well. If you put basic and then you suck, any degree of honest effort in another language reflects well on you. Don't feel bad for having a lack of 2nd language skills. Feel bad if you exaggerate and are found out.

Hey.. maybe if you say you completely suck and then give a decent at best performance, it may even look like you're selling yourself short 😉

Then you have the benefit of humble xD

 

[chemdoctor]

See I'm able to understand Cantonese but can't speak it. Can I say I have basic proficiency?

See link above. It is specifically for proficiency in languages you speak

Awesome. Guess I’m confidently putting down four languages on my CV...

 

[chemdoctor]

1) being multilingual has almost no impact on an application
2) be careful they give interviewers who speak 2-3 of the languages.

1) Well aware that it doesn’t. But it still doesn’t hurt does it?
2) Yes. I am more than OK with talking to people that speak these languages as, according to AMCAS, I can speak them with proficiency