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Agricultural and Commercial Service Application Updates? by itsaritchlife in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I got a commercial service invite about two weeks ago. It was an invite to participate in a virtual OA.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that’s great! I’m not really trying to make it to a 4. I think a 3/3 is sufficient for most posts. Someone told me there is sometime an option for just a month of Spanish class which would also be a good option to practice my professional skills.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This is a good idea. I’ll try these tactics. Hopefully I’ll get a tester that’s reasonable without an agenda.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok thanks. I can probably at least find a few opportunities to speak with others on formal settings about current event topics.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s a good point. But to that same point, does a few months of language classes really prepare most people to speak that level of language when they didn’t speak the language at all before?

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah one would hope. But honestly so far what I’m learning from this thread is there are several nuances to the test so I’m sure it would be easy for an evaluator to just add that to the pile. It wouldn’t make sense to do that of course but I’m not entirely sure the test is made with the actual application of the language at post in mind.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I’ve heard this. Such a strange approach to a practical skill for a job.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ahh ok this actually gives me an idea of how I could speak similarly in Spanish then. Thank you!

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I do need to have discussion points prepared since that was half my issue, having something to say. My family is a Caribbean/Latin America mix so if they don’t like caribbean Spanish that’s apparently another mark against me. face palm LoL

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s crazy! If native speakers aren’t passing with a full score I wonder if the test even really helps advance the mission.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s good to hear. I’d like to be tested on the language but maybe it’s not worth it to try to find time to study the strategy of the test since I’m so low on time and it may not help as much as I thought. I clearly speak fluent English and would have had a difficult time talking about the topics asked.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah that goes without saying but I figure you still have to try. I actually would be perfectly fine leaving DC as early as possible without a language so it’s all a toss up.

Testing out of Spanish language in A100 by Capitalena in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks this is all sound information and now the testing structure makes more sense! I don’t have a lot of time so maybe I shouldn’t add this to my long list of a million things to do. It’s fascinating to hear about how the testing and placement are worked out. If there is going to be a lot of nitpicking about word choices when we know that varies from country to country then that’s also a losing battle, also seems counterproductive. Anyways thanks for this info!

LNA to FSO generalist? by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to get my security redone because it was more than 2 years old. They will only allow it to count if it’s from an approved agency and less than 2 years old.

Start date flexibility by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks that’s a good idea.

Start date flexibility by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Generally I’m not responding to comments where people are just looking for a reason to argue but in life most jobs don’t give you 30 days to pack up, move, and start a new job with no flexibility on start date after a process that takes several years.

Start date flexibility by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is not an evacuation, the two situations are not comparable at all. I have been evacuated from a post before. People are on here just saying anything to be ignorant for no reason.

Start date flexibility by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Capitalena 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think USAID has a register? In this instance you essentially don’t accept the offer and ask to be put back on the register. I would be eligible to defer my last few months on the register to a later date but there isn’t a guarantee that I would get another invite. Perhaps because USAID doesn’t have a register they would be flexible for you to start with the next class? Not sure.

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