We had our third language interview on January 13, and we received word yesterday that we have both achieved the level of language proficiency required to move on to our next city - wahoo! And our next city is where we hope to stay - our permanent home in Brazil. You may be curious what our interviews look like...or not...but I'm going to describe them anyways ;) Individually, we each have about a 30 minute Skype call with an interviewer who lives further south in Brazil. (It is always a little nerve-wracking with our less than reliable internet). It is mainly conversation with directed questions sprinkled throughout. Also, at one point in the interview, we are presented with a role play we must act out. After our interview (which is recorded) is complete, the interviewer transcribes the ENTIRE thing and then classifies our level of language learning based on a chart. The three main levels are Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced, each having sub-levels of low, medium, and high. To complete your time of formal language learning, you must reach Advanced-Low. Then, usually about 2-3 weeks later, you receive your results. Trust me, those are always REALLY long weeks!
We'll still be involved in language learning after our move (and I imagine for the rest of our lives here in Brazil), but we will no longer have formal teaching sessions at a language school. Instead we will be engaging in 15-20 hours per week of language helpers, personal study, and community time. And once we reach Advanced-Mid, we will no longer have formal weekly requirements. At this point, I believe we will begin to have language interviews once every 6 months instead of every 4 months.
Thanks for your prayers! We are blessed to see how much the Lord has taught us in our year on the field!
We're amazed, and grateful.
ReplyDeleteoxoxox, Momma and Daddy