Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

Funny- I've never been in the peace corps, so this is not a first hand experience, but the peace corps have never sounded to me like a good way to learn the language- I know peace corps alums who are basically fluent, and others who are kind of high elementary.

Learning the language is something you do, or don't, according to how much you put into it. Regardless of situation.

Best,
Justin

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject:

Strongly agree that using the language a lot helps a lot.

Whether the Peace Corps usually, or even frequently, is a good way to get that "full-on" language immersion experience, I don't know. I think it would depend a LOT on your project.

Best,
Justin

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I guess my point is that I believe that the Peace Corp is probably better than teaching English for learning the local language. I have never done the Peace Corp so yes, I am really just guessing.

notamiss · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject:

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

I started down the road of working in the Peace corps as a way to make a career change and I also thought it would be a good way to learn Spanish as well. I�ve worked in Asia before and achieved a basically fluent level in a more complicated language than Sp�nish in years gone by.

Unfortunately, despite being very qualified for getting into the peace corps. it was a no-go for a Spanish speaking country as I had learned my Spanish in Florida, DR and on my own and couldn�t show college credits.

I heard recently that the Peace corps has a very low rate of sucess for older learners learning Spanish and prefers to hire out of the Latino-American pool (Puerto Rican, Mexican American applicants etc.). The person who was familiar with some of the Peace corps admin stuff implied they weed out some older folks who are seeking Spanish language placements.....

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I have heard that it is difficult to get placed in the Peace Corps in South America or Central America unless you are fluent in Spanish. I may try to join the Peace Corps to get some experience in working with Health Care in Third World Countries. Unless I land of a job with the American Foreign Service I may join the Peace Corps. Hopefully I can share my experience in the future.

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

By the way Jzer, I didn't post the last message to discourage you. There are plenty of people doing things in Latin America w/o the Peace Corps. It's unfortunate that it's so difficult to get into them in LA however.
Good luck!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh