Venezuela Trip Report

[Starman]

All,

Sorry I have not finished with my trip report(s) concerning my trips to Venezuela and my engagement to my Latina princess. I've been extremely busy preparing for her arrival in Oct. I have to basically start over. New apt. for now, school for her son, ESL classes, more paperwork, etc. It's been hectic...esp. since I've also been very busy at work also.
When the dust settles, I'm going to build a website with the entire story, photos and information. I'll post the URL when it's complete.

I have a question for those who married a woman with children who do not speak English. I called a local school and they told me that they have a woman who speaks Spanish and helps the children for around 2 hours a day, and then the children just sit in class the rest of the time. This seems like it would be very difficult on the children. Very confusing, isolating, etc. Any experience with this???

My fiancée is going to provide me with a lot in information concerning the large and small towns in Venezuela, the types of women that can be found there, where to find them, etc. I think that this would be invaluable for those who may be interested in women from there. She has some friend and family members that are interested in American men but do not have any guidance. Most people there are very wary of meeting someone on the internet, and they hear bad stories about the process, about American in general, etc. Dubraska's family and friends thought that she was crazy! She is a very intelligent women and is not easily fooled, knows what she wants, and was willing to take the risk to achieve her dreams. I'll include this information on the web site when it's complete.

Thanks,
Tim.

P.S. I received a notification from the NVC about ten days after my approval from the BCIS. Not bad. The notice said that the embassy should receive the package within a week

[Starman]

... in response to Venezuela Trip Report, posted by Starman on Sep 10, 2003

N/T

[cancunhound]

... in response to Venezuela Trip Report, posted by Starman on Sep 10, 2003

Sounds like you've got a pretty good scenario if they have 2 hours of a Spanish speaker each day - lucky indeed.  The younger the easier it will be.  Check with some local Catholic (or any denomiation) churhes also, often they can offer assistance and have programs.  Obviously networking here is the key - find some others in your area in a similar scenario - friends for the child will be paramount ASAP.  You are going to be very busy!

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Venezuela Trip Report, posted by Starman on Sep 10, 2003

How old is the child. Here in California depending on the neighborhood the % of children that only speak spanish varys from 0 - 95%. I was born in Colombia and did not come to the US until I was about 5. When I started grade school I was the only foreinger in the entire school. I did not speak a word of English. It was horrible at the begining.

[Pete E]

... in response to Venezuela Trip Report, posted by Starman on Sep 10, 2003

Tim,
What is offered for students who do not speak english can vary by school and also state requirements.
We live in San Jose,Ca.and there are lots of kids coming here and going to school who do not speak english,mostly spanish speakers.The schools are geared up for it.My step son came here  in March 2000.He was 8 at the time,in 3rd grade.They put him in a class where the teacher spoke spanish but tried to teach the class in english.But she had to explain alot to the non english speakers.Most of  the other kids were latino also,although some started school here and were way ahead.My step son picked up english very fast from this.His english was probably better in a year than my wifes is in almost 4 years.He speaks english well,without an accent.He is still at a little disadvantage in language,he is not 100%,particularly in vocabulary,but he is doing really well.
Even though he is a very bright kid he has most of his problems with math,because he did not get a good background in it in Colombia.Here kids learn their times tables in the third grade.He didn't really know them untill grade 6 and that made it hard to do the next level of work that required you to know them.He has just started the 7th grade.My goal is to get him totally up to speed so he can get good grades from grade 9 on when it starts counting for future college admission.Things like computers he is ahead of me,he just figures them out.

Pete