Speaking Many Language

[altitude]

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Is there a place on the AMCAS to put the languages that you speak?

Will adcoms be impressed if you could speak 5+ languages?

If yes, will they still be impressed if you're fluent in 3, but only a beginner in the other 2?

 

[CodeBlu]

Is there a place on the AMCAS to put the languages that you speak?

Will adcoms be impressed if you could speak 5+ languages?

If yes, will they still be impressed if you're fluent in 3, but only a beginner in the other 2?

Yes there is a place for this. You only list a language that you are fluent in.

It's not going to impress than at all really... they look at your academic credentials, then the ECs...

 

[Catalystik]

Is there a place on the AMCAS to put the languages that you speak?

Will adcoms be impressed if you could speak 5+ languages?

If yes, will they still be impressed if you're fluent in 3, but only a beginner in the other 2?

Yes. Yes, but it might not help you much if the languages are obscure and not useful in that given location. Don't list it if you aren't fluent enough to be interviewed in that language.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Is there a place on the AMCAS to put the languages that you speak?

Will adcoms be impressed if you could speak 5+ languages?

If yes, will they still be impressed if you're fluent in 3, but only a beginner in the other 2?

Yes, you should list them. I believe it may only ask for full fluency, but things could have changed and perhaps they now have a way to indicate your level.

 

[altitude]

Should sign language be listed (even if you're not "advanced" in it, but still use it to communicate with others when the situation arises)?

What do all the responders consider "fluent" to be? Are you fluent enough to write it down on the application if you could have a basic/beginner conversation? Or are you only fluent enough if you could do a whole interview in that language?

 

[ElleWoodsMD]

Fluency in other languages is impressive, but I think adcomms will be more interested in what you bring to the table academically. If you're fluent in French or Spanish, you could work that into wanting to work with immigrant and refugee patients for a minimal boost, but it would be hard to quantify the boost it could give you.

What do all the responders consider "fluent" to be? Are you fluent enough to write it down on the application if you could have a basic/beginner conversation? Or are you only fluent enough if you could do a whole interview in that language?

Fluency consists of being able to think, speak, read and write in the language. If you can't do at least three of those with confidence, you should say that you have proficient /conversational fluency and are working toward being fully fluent in it.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Should sign language be listed (even if you're not "advanced" in it, but still use it to communicate with others when the situation arises)?
2) Are you fluent enough to write it down on the application if you could have a basic/beginner conversation? Or are you only fluent enough if you could do a whole interview in that language?

1) You might list it as a hobby, since it's an more unique accomplishment.

2) No. Yes, though personally I'd excuse you from a detailed discussion of your research in another language.

 

[sector9]

I suggest using the search function before starting your 25th thread. Language fluency has been thoroughly covered many times before, as have the topics of several of your other new threads in the past few days.

 

[Medizin]

My vote is that you list it. I once took what is an internationally-recognized exam of proficiency in a foreign language. I listed it as one of my 15 activities. Hopefully this will become a talking point again for me at future interviews.

 

[dmf2682]

Should sign language be listed (even if you're not "advanced" in it, but still use it to communicate with others when the situation arises)?

What do all the responders consider "fluent" to be? Are you fluent enough to write it down on the application if you could have a basic/beginner conversation? Or are you only fluent enough if you could do a whole interview in that language?

That you, jasin?

 

[candav]

I only listed English as a language of fluency, and put French and Mandarin in one of my activity boxes as languages I speak conversationally. (I've done a few language immersion things in the past, so it fit.) As others have said, I wouldn't list a language you aren't absolutely fluent in. If it's important to you to list it, fit it in somewhere else.

 

[Signifier]

It is far better if you have done things that used the language. Anyone can put "Fluent in Spanish" (how often do these folks get called out, really?) - but not so many can speak at length about their experience working as an interpreter or translator in some healthcare setting.

In my case - I listed learning Russian as part of my hobbies, and it was mentioned at a couple interviews. But my experiences actively using a fluency in Spanish was far more important.

 

[Danlee07]

In general, any application with multiple parts are meant to be one package which is why you don't submit only grades and MCATs. If you can tie the ability to speak the languages with what you want to do in the future or how it helped you in the present, then I'm sure the ability will help. If the languages are put just to try and impress, it probably won't because there will always be someone else out there who can speak in more languages and speak it better than you.

In the context of language ability, if you can read, write, and have a conversation at a newspaper-writing level, then it's very good. But just like people make fun of foreigners for their accents when speaking English, no one is fluent until the person can use the language smoothly.

 

[VectreSpectre]

I'm fluent in three other languages (all very useful given current affairs), and that didn't seem to impress anybody too much. I got one interview q about Spanish, but that's it.

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

Should sign language be listed (even if you're not "advanced" in it, but still use it to communicate with others when the situation arises)?

What do all the responders consider "fluent" to be? Are you fluent enough to write it down on the application if you could have a basic/beginner conversation? Or are you only fluent enough if you could do a whole interview in that language?

If you have to ask this, you aren't. And if you haven't been to a country where they speak it, or your family doesn't speak it, then you probably aren't as well.

I'm fluent in three other languages (all very useful given current affairs), and that didn't seem to impress anybody too much. I got one interview q about Spanish, but that's it.

People tend to be impressed by Arabic when they read that I speak it (and am white) BUT they are far more interested in my experiences in the Middle East.

 

[GS Mikami]

Spanish and English is all you need buddy!

 

[Lil Mick]

I did have an MD/PhD interview in a second language, as well as was asked about travel experiences conversationally in a third. You may get lucky putting it down, but they could also call your bluff (and you better be able to discuss any sort of questions in it--including research for me).

 

[CuttingCorneas]

Thread title fail...

 

[ilikesports]

Thread title fail...

Maybe this person should master English before moving on to other languages.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Should sign language be listed (even if you're not "advanced" in it, but still use it to communicate with others when the situation arises)?

What do all the responders consider "fluent" to be? Are you fluent enough to write it down on the application if you could have a basic/beginner conversation? Or are you only fluent enough if you could do a whole interview in that language?

I listed ASL on my application. I debated for a while but I decided to put it as I feel comfortable having a conversation in ASL. ASL is a bit different, even among the deaf culture people speak ASL in varying levels of fluency, and (as with other languages) there is a vast range of dialects. I explained to my ASL professor (who is deaf) what the application was asking and asked if she thought I was fluent enough to consider putting it on my application. She said yes. If you put it down though, be prepared to walk into an interview and have someone start signing with you! 😉

 

[zwitterion34]

Maybe this person should master English before moving on to other languages.

Haha. 😎

 

[nmed20]

It is far better if you have done things that used the language. Anyone can put "Fluent in Spanish" (how often do these folks get called out, really?) - but not so many can speak at length about their experience working as an interpreter or translator in some healthcare setting.

In my case - I listed learning Russian as part of my hobbies, and it was mentioned at a couple interviews. But my experiences actively using a fluency in Spanish was far more important.

Quite a few, actually. If your interviewer knows Spanish, he/she may ask you a question in Spanish to see if you actually know the language or were lying to try to get an edge in the application cycle.