Test of Language Capability at Interview

[RussianRiver]

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I was wondering if admissions committees ever check up on claims of language proficiency made on the AMCAS application?

For example, I put down that I am fluent in a particular language on my amcas application, and indeed I grew up speaking this language. However in high stress environments when I am expected to perform on the spot I start stumbling over my words and my grammar becomes quite poor. I have several interviews coming up, is their a chance that the interviewer might ask me questions in this other language??

 

[DrMT]

oh they will. there are many stories on SDN where people are put on the spot to speak the language they claim to be fluent in.

a friend had most of his interview in spanish (not a native speaker)

 

[Law2Doc]

Agree. There are stories about instances where a school which has an interviewer who speaks certain languages pairs them up with interviewees who claim proficiency in such language. Don't list something you can't back up.

 

[CubaLibre]

oh man, testing language capability is one thing, doing the whole interview in a foreign language is a different ball game. Does this really happen? That would be a nightmare.

 

[inaminute]

you could just spend a lot more time between now and interviews conversing in that language with a family member and others outside your family, to knock the rust off...or volunteer a few minutes to translate for someone. You need to lose the nervousness. Good luck.

 

[Blade28]

"Fluent," IMHO, means it's like another first language for you - you can think in this language.

Otherwise, it's "conversational" or "passive."

I always come prepared to speak in the languages I've put on my resume/CV as "fluent."

 

[Tropicana100]

"Fluent," IMHO, means it's like another first language for you - you can think in this language.

Otherwise, it's "conversational" or "passive."

I always come prepared to speak in the languages I've put on my resume/CV as "fluent."

I speak English and my parent's language fluently. I think in English, but when I pray, I use the other language. Strange huh?

 

[Jolie South]

"Fluent," IMHO, means it's like another first language for you - you can think in this language.

Otherwise, it's "conversational" or "passive."

I always come prepared to speak in the languages I've put on my resume/CV as "fluent."

There are more levels than just these.

Fluency is near impossible for people that haven't spent years living in another country or grown up with native speakers. Yet, I don't like the term "conversational." I believe it cheapens the level of skill that I have.

I worked and taught people using French and possessed more skill than what I would consider conversational to entail. I would by no means say that I'm fluent but I don't say conversational either. To me,that implies that I listened to some tapes and can talk about the weather and the like.

I was evaluated on a scale of 10 levels. With fluency being a 10, I scored an 8. I would consider conversational to be a 5.

 

[jon stewart]

what if you can speak to your parents in your native language and carry on a conversation, but you cant read or write in your native language, does it still count as a second language?

 

[artaxerxes]

Agree. There are stories about instances where a school which has an interviewer who speaks certain languages pairs them up with interviewees who claim proficiency in such language. Don't list something you can't back up.

I wonder if they'll test my deadlifting abilities or my ability to highkick (still can't quite do it without losing balance🙁)

As of right now, I wouldn't consider myself fluent in my first-language, and I'm definitely illiterate in it.

 

[inaminute]

I wonder if they'll test my deadlifting abilities or my ability to highkick (still can't quite do it without losing balance🙁)

As of right now, I wouldn't consider myself fluent in my first-language, and I'm definitely illiterate in it.

maybe they'll ask to feel your hamstrings

 

[Blade28]

I speak English and my parent's language fluently. I think in English, but when I pray, I use the other language. Strange huh?

I do something similar - I can only speak to certain people in my non-English-first-language (the one I spoke at home), since that's all I'm used to!

There are more levels than just these.

Fluency is near impossible for people that haven't spent years living in another country or grown up with native speakers. Yet, I don't like the term "conversational." I believe it cheapens the level of skill that I have.

I worked and taught people using French and possessed more skill than what I would consider conversational to entail. I would by no means say that I'm fluent but I don't say conversational either. To me,that implies that I listened to some tapes and can talk about the weather and the like.

I was evaluated on a scale of 10 levels. With fluency being a 10, I scored an 8. I would consider conversational to be a 5.

Well, I don't know if I agree with that.

"Conversational," IMHO, is more than just what you learn in high school/college. I feel it implies actual usage with native speakers for an extended period of time - you can tell those people who have perfected their Spanish during a year abroad, an intensive summer immersive course, etc.

"Passive" might be the skills you acquire after the requisite 3-4 years of high school Spanish and 1-2 years of college courses.

"Fluent" means you can carry on a smooth conversation with a native speaker, watch the news on TV and understand it, etc. It's almost like a second "first language." If someone starts talking to you, you can instantly pick up and respond without struggling. If you become rusty after not using this language after 6-12 months, I'd say it's not considered true fluency.

If you can easily eavesdrop on two simultaneous conversations - one in English, one in the foreign language - I'd say that's pretty fluent. I find myself doing that from time to time. 🙂

Good question posted above about the need for reading/writing - it's very possible to be conversationally fluent without actually learning the written word.

All this is just my $0.02.

Edit: I meant "passable," not "passive."

 

[Jolie South]

I do something similar - I can only speak to certain people in my non-English-first-language (the one I spoke at home), since that's all I'm used to!




Well, I don't know if I agree with that.

"Conversational," IMHO, is more than just what you learn in high school/college. I feel it implies actual usage with native speakers for an extended period of time - you can tell those people who have perfected their Spanish during a year abroad, an intensive summer immersive course, etc.

"Passive" might be the skills you acquire after the requisite 3-4 years of high school Spanish and 1-2 years of college courses.

"Fluent" means you can carry on a smooth conversation with a native speaker, watch the news on TV and understand it, etc. It's almost like a second "first language." If someone starts talking to you, you can instantly pick up and respond without struggling. If you become rusty after not using this language after 6-12 months, I'd say it's not considered true fluency.

If you can easily eavesdrop on two simultaneous conversations - one in English, one in the foreign language - I'd say that's pretty fluent. I find myself doing that from time to time. 🙂

Good question posted above about the need for reading/writing - it's very possible to be conversationally fluent without actually learning the written word.

All this is just my $0.02.

I could do the latter (pick up on two conversations) but feel that I lack some aspects that native speakers have. I still have an American accent, but native speakers understand me. I also feel that I don't have the vocabulary of a native speaker. Yes, I can express myself easily and be understood by just about anybody, but not to the level that I can in English. The subtle nuances of the language are something that I feel take longer than the 2 years that I spent immersed in a French speaking country. That's why I hesitate to say fluent. To me, that means equivalent to a native speaker.

I can also read and write.

 

[hermit]

what if you can speak to your parents in your native language and carry on a conversation, but you cant read or write in your native language, does it still count as a second language?

Of course. And as far as interviews go, while it's certainly possible for an interviewer to passively gauge your speaking ability, I think it would be a lot more intrusive to check up on your writing.

 

[mindquick]

what if you're not fluent in any language due to a disability? like you stutter badly whenever you speak. would that make interviews difficult?

 

[postbacker]

I could do the latter (pick up on two conversations) but feel that I lack some aspects that native speakers have. I still have an American accent, but native speakers understand me. I also feel that I don't have the vocabulary of a native speaker. Yes, I can express myself easily and be understood by just about anybody, but not to the level that I can in English. The subtle nuances of the language are something that I feel take longer than the 2 years that I spent immersed in a French speaking country. That's why I hesitate to say fluent. To me, that means equivalent to a native speaker.

I can also read and write.

In the business world, the description people often give is "highly functional" as opposed to true fluency. Not sure what AMCAS is after...I equate fluency with the abilities of a native speaker, too...and would be hesitant to list it on the app (but I seriously doubt if many schools go to the trouble of setting up an interviewee with a fluent speaker - I am sure it has happened, but I doubt if it happens very often...)

 

[efex101]

If you wrote on AMCAS that you were "fluent" you *can* expect that maybe you will have to speak with the interviewer in that language..

 

[Blade28]

what if you're not fluent in any language due to a disability? like you stutter badly whenever you speak. would that make interviews difficult?

Wow...I don't know. I've only had a couple of friends who were bad stutters, and I think both of them would regularly see speech therapists for help with this.

(but I seriously doubt if many schools go to the trouble of setting up an interviewee with a fluent speaker - I am sure it has happened, but I doubt if it happens very often...)

I've been on a ton of interviews (med school and residency), and was never "tested" by a native speaker. 🙂

 

[drizzt3117]

We'll see if that's the case... I am fluent in six languages and put that on my AMCAS, let's see if they pair me with a hexalingual interviewer 🙂

 

[artaxerxes]

I speak Chinese at a 2nd grade level, which is probably more fluent than 99% of non-native speakers.

I also think there is a difference between understanding fluency and speaking fluency. I would have no problems understanding an interviewer in Chinese, but I couldn't answer most of the questions in a articulate and rapid fashion.

 

[efex101]

Yeah, I do not think they would on purpose set you up with a native speaker, but you may have the "luck" to interview with a native 🙂

 

[jochi1543]

AMCAS doesn't ask if you are FLUENT, it just asks to list languages you speak.

 

[Blade28]

We'll see if that's the case... I am fluent in six languages and put that on my AMCAS, let's see if they pair me with a hexalingual interviewer 🙂

Hey, I put 6 languages too! 👍 But it was 2 fluent, 1 conversational, 3 passable.

I also think there is a difference between understanding fluency and speaking fluency. I would have no problems understanding an interviewer in Chinese, but I couldn't answer most of the questions in a articulate and rapid fashion.

Agreed. Usually, the order of proficiency is:

Listening > Speaking > Reading > Writing

(Especially for languages not using the Roman alphabet.)

 

[drizzt3117]

Hey, I put 6 languages too! 👍 But it was 2 fluent, 1 conversational, 3 passable.



Agreed. Usually, the order of proficiency is:

Listening > Speaking > Reading > Writing

(Especially for languages not using the Roman alphabet.)

Yeah, for me it was 3 native, 1 fluent, 2 conversational... working abroad makes picking up languages pretty much essential hehe

 

[Blade28]

Yeah, for me it was 3 native, 1 fluent, 2 conversational... working abroad makes picking up languages pretty much essential hehe

Impressive! 👍

My languages are scattered - English, two Asian, two Romance, one dead. 🙂

 

[drizzt3117]

Impressive! 👍

My languages are scattered - English, two Asian, two Romance, one dead. 🙂

Similar here, 3 asian (2 of which are Chinese derivatives) English, Spanish, German... no latin though, i wish...

 

[Blade28]

(2 of which are Chinese derivatives)

Ditto. Probably the same 2. 🙂

 

[Kiara08]

I speak Chinese at a 2nd grade level, which is probably more fluent than 99% of non-native speakers.

I also think there is a difference between understanding fluency and speaking fluency. I would have no problems understanding an interviewer in Chinese, but I couldn't answer most of the questions in a articulate and rapid fashion.

very true. listening is much simpler than actually saying something, especially abstract things that come up in interviews

 

[stellastarr]

I put down a language that's very uncommon in the US, thinking i was safe. I'll die if they happen to have a native speaker in the interview committee.

 

[Jolie South]

wonder if they'll be able to find a native fulfulde speaker for me.