[Caco]

Hi again, I'm Chilean, and I don't know why..., but I speak english, quite well I think (925 over 990 in TOEIC exam), never made a course, but I worked with some Canadians a few years back...they always told me that with a few months in some english speaking country doing everyday stuff and no one will be able to tell that I wasn't born speaking it...It's far from perfect, but I have almost no accent ( my english is quite northamerican... ), I mean the typical latino accent.

From the experience of people with english as 2nd language, was it difficult to land a Job? I know the New Zealand accent is different to what I'm used to, but like I said, a few weeks living there and I don't expect to much problem.

Cheers mates!:nice1

[Katie]

Hola Caco!
As far as I'd been adviced, if you're English as a sencond language is really good, it shouldn't be a problem.
I read somewhere that people with strong accent have had problems making themselves understood.
Regarding the Kiwi accent, I suppose you just get used to it.

All the Best!
Katie

[Syed]

Linguistics is all about understanding. Accent is very difficult to master. British, Americans, Kiwis all have different accents. I have friends from Africa, America, UK, Europe, Latin America, India, China, Japan and you name it. ...
The worst accents are of Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Indian subcontinent people etc....
I love the African accent, when they talk , English language seems like sweet coffee, but when Arabic talks it seems they are fighting...while others (Chinese, Japanese's, Korean) seems try to speak with themselves. My friend from Portugal and one from Colombia have pretty nice accents. Indian subcontinent people have good grips over language but not on the accent either and they are getting the best jobs in all top companies around the world.
Surprisingly, Hamid karzai (the Afghan Presedent) has the best accent than any other non-native English leader.

I am sure you will be more than fit in NZ. The kiwis will more than welcome your accent and all the beautiful culture you will bring along.
I am not native, but fortunately can speak 5 international languages.
Kiwi accent will be a new challenge for me too friend.

Good luck and best wishes.

[Björnsdotter]

Hola :)

English is not my first langauge.
While working in europe I did use english as second language used on a daily basis. Spoke mostly with americans or people that have english as second language and never ever any problem.
(international phone operator) then when in NZ some people were hard to understand and this is first time ever that I have met people that complain about my accent and sometimes don't even understand me!!!! very frustrating! I sometimes felt as if it wasn't the same langauge I was trying to talk!

[mossum]

Hola :)

this is first time ever that I have met people that complain about my accent and sometimes don't even understand me!!!! very frustrating! I sometimes felt as if it wasn't the same langauge I was trying to talk!

Can't or Won't understand ???

we got some stamps today at the post shop - a lady of asian decent was helping but could only sell stamps , I have to say we were appalled at the response from the kiwi's dealing with her .

"I'm sorry I can only help you with stamps "

"what ?! "

three times the lady clearly stated what she could do & the people were just so rude to her - It made Dh Very Angry !:mad:

vic

[Björnsdotter]

I think that some people just ain't used to accents.
They just don't even try.
Strangely some people guess me being canadian and still claim not to understand me.
When I previously did work with helpdesk/phone support I spoke with all countries in the world in just one day and no one did ask me what I said and they did absoloutely not say: I can't understand her! saying this as if I was third person and not being present.
I know that people did understand me since they did reply to what I did ask them :) :)

The other day I was at the warehouse and asked if they had sandbox/toddlers pool that look like a clam shell.
I had to say it several times and felt like as if I wanted to scream.
Person I spoke with did then say that they had run out of them but that I could ask at their information and they could tell where they have it in stock or expect it in, this guy offered to follow me there and explain what I was looking for!
as if I was some kind of alien that needed someone to help me, when at the information the girl had no problem whatsoever to understand me!
It was straight forward she looked up the product and asked if I lived in town and told when they expected it in stock again.
NZ is the only country where people do not understand me, some times.

[Syed]

Enjoy this video,
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/72212/improve_your_english/

I watched this video last year in Dubai, From then on specially here in China, when people say "sank you" "I guess it correctly as Thank you".. and so on..
It would be my problem If I do not understand...hahahhha

[Björnsdotter]

This is what I mean. If I would say sank-you.
(I don't do since I am not from any of those countries where it is hard to say th sound)
but if I did say sank-you I expect people to still get it! :)

[dharder]

From the experience of people with english as 2nd language, was it difficult to land a Job?

As long as you can fulfill the requirements of the job to the standards they expect, I don't see a problem in everyday life. Depending on the kind of job you're looking for, it may not just be communicating and being understood, though, but could also mean a certain level in written English.

As far as immigration is concerned however, you may have to prove that you can speak, read and write English and do a test, but that depends on a number of things.

Of course I haven't actually landed a job yet, but I don't expect the fact that English is my 2nd language to be the reason if I don't land one soon-ish.

Good luck,
Daniela

[Katie]

Hey!
It's me again...
I was reading about the requirements and indeed you have to give a proof of your English level with an IELTS certificate and the test is normally offered by the British Council in your location.
Cheers,
Katie

[fmunoz]

Dear Caco,

I'm from Chile too. I got a job offer from NZ, and I'll arrive in NZ at February 15 with my talent Visa, and with English as my 2nd Language.

Best Regards,

Frank.

[Caco]

Dear Caco,

I'm from Chile too. I got a job offer from NZ, and I'll arrive in NZ at February 15 with my talent Visa, and with English as my 2nd Language.

Best Regards,

Frank.

Thanks everybody, I think I'll be ok, Frank, you're in Chile now?