Most likely this procedure would end up being self-reported proficiency on the visa form, presumably with most applicants coming in zero or very little. Only when a certain skill level was reported would documentation or airport testing be required.
Most likely this procedure would end up being self-reported proficiency on the visa form, presumably with most applicants coming in zero or very little. Only when a certain skill level was reported would documentation or airport testing be required.
No doubt like other work-related requirements either supply backup references (I'm talking about other proficiency test scores, Japanese classes, degrees etc). or a test should be mandatory for anyone claiming at a specified level.
As Elizabeth has pointed out, to avoid being a burden on society. Friends and family aren't the only people you deal with in life.
He isn't going to be with you 24/7, is he?
Doesn't your husband speak English in the USA? How does he feel about you not using any Japanese in Japan?
What are you talking about?
Yes, agreed, ludicrous, especially if one has a connecting flight to catch.
Reporting language ability ? Not when you arrive. On the visa application form.
If you plan to spend your days taking cabs to a park, showing the driver an address written by your husband, and buying groceries on the way home...well it's an incredibly wasted opportunity in my mind, but obviously if no one else is being negatively impacted, still ultimately your life and decision.
Believe me, once they realize you can speak normal Japanese with decent fluency, the English stops.
Not always. I have many conversations with Japanese people, where I use Japanese and they use English.
You surprise me with this brushing off of Goldiegirl's statements on not needing to learn Japanese, nor wanting to, especially after the lambasting you gave earlier about freeloaders. Why the change of heart?If you plan to spend your days taking cabs to a park, showing the driver an address written by your husband, and buying groceries on the way home...well it's an incredibly wasted opportunity in my mind, but obviously if no one else is being negatively impacted, still ultimately your life and decision.
According to your profile, you have only been in Japan for less than a year. Would you mind if I asked in what capacity? It seems so short to make such a sweeping statement.
He says that now, but you two live in Wisconsin. He may change his tune seriously if you live in Japan, where he would have to do everything for you, plus hold down a job to support you. It's not easy (and sometimes not even possible) to do certain things when you are working.
Yes, you are! With practically zero Japanese ability, you are going to be forcing Japanese to try to understand you in a foreign language. I've already listed some of the situations.
Oh, so you can find stores that have all labels in English? Or in every incidence explain to taxi drivers with English or with handwritten notes? I don't think so. What are you going to do all day long while your husband works -- sit and watch rental videos in English (videos that he has had to pick up for you because you don't know enough Japanese)? I really think you are in for an awakening if you ever come here and live. It may not hit right away, but it will hit.
Keep going with your Japanese way and when it is good enough most people will respond back in kind. I usually take along a book or newspaper which helps, too. The stares of amazement are too great for words of idle curiousity...
For what, buying groceries and taking a cab...?? Heavens no ! A couple phrases maybe but aside from pulling stuff off the shelf that a spouse can eat...Learning a language for that alone would be absurd.
I'm absolutely not trying to take sides, have zero motive or intent to dodge questions, and no poster has yet introduced the issue of what language is spoken at home.
Do you really think that what you wrote previously jibes with this statement? I don't. You are adamant about people learning it, and then you brush aside Ggirl with a little wave of your hand. How you can honestly imagine that people canNOT be "negatively impacted" even on such basic levels as these is beyond me.
C'mon. Who actually has such little dialogue? Unrealistic. Ggirl may say she is not planning to work, but who knows if that will change? Even if it doesn't, smell the coffee. Nobody lives in a hermetically sealed jar. Interaction is required, and even at the small levels you and she seem to feel are unimportant for Japanese to be used, I say you are wrong. Regardless of how I feel on that one point, look at the complete turnaround you just made. Perhaps we misunderstood you somehow...?
OK, you got me there. To be honest I hadn't considered the possibility that fear of the language could produce such an extreme withdrawal syndrome when I wrote that...*Major edit* :=)
I said a few phrases for the cabbie and perhaps kanji at the grocery. To be sure it isn't a well grounded, engaged, open healthy approach to the situation by any standard, but if the desire isn't there and they aren't bothering anyone by not then I don't have a particular interest in harping on Goldiegirl any further.
Perhaps even creating increased resentment or resistence. The time comes for work or greater interaction, great, then get busy with it when you have to...
Thank you for that clarification, Elizabeth. However, you also just wrote...
Ok, now the pointer turns to Goldiegirl, who wrote that...
