high level of fluency in English?

[chivo]

There is another aspect.

Most Eastern European women who speak fluent English are translators.

From my experience, the vast majority are businesswomen or women who work in offices at adminstrative jobs doing some translations of course, but are not translators per se. And the ratio of these Russians to actual translators isn't even close.

[chivo]

One thing I want to say about totally immersing your woman into another language. As someone who is learning another language and in the middle of this currently, I can safely say it sure is easier said if you're not the one who has to do the immersion .
 
I find it rather cruel to force feed someone another language whether it is in their best interest or not. I have started to accelerate my Russian studies and can tell you that somedays, when they brain is fatigued, it's immersion be damned.
 
There will be times when my head just wants to explode and I need English just to relax and take it easy. Those who have done it know what I'm talking about. Those who haven't, well...try it for a week and then come back and tell me how much fun it was  .
 
So yes, she should get her daily fill of English (or whatever language she needs to learn) but cut her some slack already.
 
And yes, in the long run she'll be better off speaking the language as quick as possible and she will love you even more when she reaches the desired level. Well, that's if she doesn't kill you first! 

[Vaughn]

There will be times when my head just wants to explode and I need English just to relax and take it easy. Those who have done it know what I'm talking about. Those who haven't, well...try it for a week and then come back and tell me how much fun it was  .
 

Good to know I'm not alone in this, chivo. After, say, two weeks in Russia without any English, my jaw feels sore and I'm completely tapped out. I'll notice self-improvement vocabulary-wise and grammatically, but what's clearer to me is the grind of constant immersion that my wife deals with in the USA on a day-to-day basis.
 

[viking]

I will concur on this. after a 4-5 hour English class and another 1-2 hours of homework, and talking to me in English all day long, my wife NEEDS to relax with some Russian TV. I will often watch a movie with her. I don't have a clue to what is being said, but just tell who are the bad guys and the good guys and I will get the gist of it.

[Faux Pas]

One thing I want to say about totally immersing your woman into another language. As someone who is learning another language and in the middle of this currently, I can safely say it sure is easier said if you're not the one who has to do the immersion .
 
I find it rather cruel to force feed someone another language whether it is in their best interest or not. I have started to accelerate my Russian studies and can tell you that somedays, when they brain is fatigued, it's immersion be damned.
 

This was exactly my point earlier perhaps I just didn't relay it well enough. If someone chooses total immersion, power to them. It should be a personal choice unless of course it can't be avoided. If it can be avoided and one doesn't chose it, it's quite cruel.

[Chicagoguy]

I hear the same as Chivo. Except "I think my head will explode".
We really had no choice but total immersion and she struggled mightly. She was older and I think languages are more difficult the older we get. But she works hard at it and now seldom carries her dictionary after 2.5 years. Last night had 30 minute conversation with strangers and almost no problems.
But she skypes nightly now with Russian speakers and will go home next month for 5 week stay. Her third trip. Says this returns her to sanity. Friends, family, culture, language,food.
For DVD movies on TV she now brings her Netbook to the room and she will have the same show from Russian webpage runing at the same time so we are both able to follow. Works very well for us.

[Avis]

Haha funny you guys mentioned that
Having to speak with SO who doesn't know a word in your native language is a huge and awesome motivation, that's a drive force that will make you learn this darn wonderful language and practice it every day, eventhough you sick and tired of it, sick and tired     
There are still days when I can't help but refuse talking in English - that's it, I'm done, I need to listen to Russian speaking radio or the like, thank God he understands it and never complains

[Manny]

One thing I want to say about totally immersing your woman into another language. As someone who is learning another language and in the middle of this currently, I can safely say it sure is easier said if you're not the one who has to do the immersion .
 
I find it rather cruel to force feed someone another language whether it is in their best interest or not. I have started to accelerate my Russian studies and can tell you that somedays, when they brain is fatigued, it's immersion be damned.
 
There will be times when my head just wants to explode and I need English just to relax and take it easy. Those who have done it know what I'm talking about. Those who haven't, well...try it for a week and then come back and tell me how much fun it was  .
 
So yes, she should get her daily fill of English (or whatever language she needs to learn) but cut her some slack already.

I agree with all that too. I remember my wife having a headache from English immersion. She was determined enough that the next day she would be watching "Friends" or "SATC" or "Dallas" with Bulgarian subtitles. (Bulgarian was all there was - Bulgarian is Cyrillic but not as close to Russian as we might hope - but it gave hints due to the language roots)
 

And yes, in the long run she'll be better off speaking the language as quick as possible and she will love you even more when she reaches the desired level. Well, that's if she doesn't kill you first! 

Agree with that too!

I wont say it wasn't a long, hard road. And I admire my wife tremendously for the effort she put in to gain fluency. I remember about four years ago, she did her first [free] three way call for a guy on the forums. Just to see if she could handle the fast dual language switch. I spoke to the guy after, and he said "Wow, she is awesome - she got it all, she is ready!" only after that she started to charge.

I also totally relate to what Avis above just said:

There are still days when I can't help but refuse talking in English - that's it, I'm done, I need to listen to Russian speaking radio or the like, thank God he understands it and never complains.

I remember those days too! Only too well.

I applaud Faux Pas' approach too - I don't know his personal or financial situation, but whatever it is, it works for him allowing his wife more time - which most of us might prefer in an ideal world. He is a more laid back guy [I get that impression]. Nothing wrong with that; we all differ. I am quite a results oriented bloke and like to see progress I can measure. I also talk a lot (who would imagine that?), so a mute wife who didn't understand much wasn't much use to me. For me, it was essential that my wife got fluent ASAP. Although, half a decade on, she can still miss *some* subtle things in conversation; but not much gets past her. She gets the heavy British sarcasm and black humour now. Which, even some Americans don't.

Because she leaned English in a structured way, she can argue about adverbs and personal pronouns. I forgot most of that stuff in school. As a bloke who is occasionally paid to write, with years of practice and several books under my belt, I can tell you if a sentence is right or wrong. She occasionally wants me to justify it with terms I should look in a book to quantify. I can't do that so easily.

In speech, she often makes cute lazy mistakes: She might say, "I said him". I might say "no"  - she will sigh and say, "OK, told - I know, I TOLD him, she told him, to tell, I know the personal object, I know "I told him" is object plus infinitive". At that point, my eyes glaze over. I can tell her how it should be - she can tell me why. It irritates us both to the point of mirth.

A few days ago I was writing something [for money]. I wanted to check the technical plural for "chassis" - if there was one. I spoke out loud as I was Googling. She piped up "its the same word in Russian - the plural is the same as the singular". Do I trust a Russian speaker [when an editor will check this] or do I Google? I Googled. Wikipedia told me:

A chassis ( /ˈʃæsi/ or /ˈtʃæsi/; plural: "chassis")

She was correct; and duly smug. Manny shot down in flames. It's now official - I don't speak English.

[ML]

My Gal has done the total immersion in English thing for almost 5 months now, and it hasn't bothered her in the least.

She has no desire to watch any TV shows in Ukrainian or Russian language.  She talks English 5 days a week in University classes, every day with me, and on many occasions with my friends and colleagues.  We went to a large business Christmas party/dinner Friday night and she has a great time talking to both men and women whom she had never met before.

She does talk on Skype with family and friends, but not every day and only short conversations.

[acctBill]

There is another aspect.

Most Eastern European women who speak fluent English are translators. It means that they won't be able to find similar jobs in foreign countries, especially in the USA.

For example, a Russian bank that works with US companies often hire an interpreter to help a manager who doesn't know English well. A US bank can hire a Russian financial manager to deal with Russian companies. It's even worse for Spanish translators.

Depends on what you mean by translator or interpreter.  I know many men and women in Russia who, over the years, have gained fluency in English.  Some indeed will act as interpreters or translators when needed however in most companies important documents will be translated by someone who is trained and certified to do such translations, this is company policy.  Protection against lawsuits and other legal complications. 

Same with interpreters it might be ok to use an office manager to interpret during a sales call but if it is an important conversation involving upper manager it is done by someone who is trained and certified to do such work.  The person doing the interpreting could still be a company employee it's just that they would have had to have the training and be certified.

[Chicagoguy]

A few years ago a married couple who are friends of mine and live in Moscow wanted to meet me in Colorado for skiing. They are very smart and when I first knew them they did not know much English. But they were fast learners.
On this trip we had a condo and they had a friend who lived in New York joining us. His job was for the Russian Govt. as a translator at the U.N. Boy was that fun. Among the best in the world. Instantaneous.

[Vincenzo]

On this trip we had a condo and they had a friend who lived in New York joining us. His job was for the Russian Govt. as a translator at the U.N. Boy was that fun. Among the best in the world. Instantaneous.

You see, if you marry a translator who is as good as that guy, she won't be able to find a job everywhere. You'll have to leave your city and head to New York.

Here is another case. She is a financial genius. Her English is basic.
She arrives at the USA, she finds her first underpaid job. Her English improves and she finds a better job; and so on.

[Misha]

Vince, you were dumped, clearly you are bitter now. However each woman is different. What is true for one, may not be true for another... Even translators and psychologists 

[Donna_Pedro]

I just want to know - why bother?? why do you need to add extra to something that is already so complicated? People left and right can not understand each other when they speak the same language and are from the same culture.  You are engaging in a costly, lengthy, risky process . You need to try to improve your chances, not to reduce them. Yep, I have heard success stories  involving ladies who spoke no english. OK, its possible. Its doable. But why bother?? There are more then enough ladies who speak good english. Unless your secretly wish to get more control over your woman.

[Gator]

Donna Pedro!!!!!!
 
Long time, no see.  Good to see your name again.
 
To most of you, the name "Donna Pedro" will not mean anything.  However, if you seek some insightful advice from an intelligent RW, I suggest that you pay close attention.  I have read her posts for almost 10 years.
 
 
 

[Vincenzo]

Vince, you were dumped, clearly you are bitter now. However each woman is different. What is true for one, may not be true for another... Even translators and psychologists 

Where did you get that I had been dumped?
I've met a Russian girl, spent wonderful time together. Now I meet other girls.

Back to the topic.
I know some Spanish. Would I spend an hour a day to make it fluent enough to watch Spanish news? No, unless I marry a beautiful Latina.

[Donna_Pedro]

Donna Pedro!!!!!!
 
Long time, no see.  Good to see your name again.
 
To most of you, the name "Donna Pedro" will not mean anything.  However, if you seek some insightful advice from an intelligent RW, I suggest that you pay close attention.  I have read her posts for almost 10 years.

Thanks, Gator. I am glad to see you too.

[Chicagoguy]

I also remember Donna. Fiesty woman.
I am one one of the few who married a woman with no English. And now after 2.5 years it is OK. But not easy and I would not recommend it for many.

[Misha]

Where did you get that I had been dumped?
I've met a Russian girl, spent wonderful time together. Now I meet other girls.

Based on what you wrote. It is easy enough to infer that the woman you met did not want to pursue the relationship, because she told you that she did not feel that she would have a career in the USA as it is difficult to be a Russian-trained lawyer working in the United States. Since then you have been posting only about careers and which women not to pursue based on who you think can find jobs or not 

Back to the topic.
I know some Spanish. Would I spend an hour a day to make it fluent enough to watch Spanish news? No, unless I marry a beautiful Latina.

What does this have to do with anything?

[CG7]

 I can only add my personnel experience here.
  My GF,( lives here in US), been here 8 years, spoke passably English, on arrival, now speaks very good English, but accent, she created her own job, and still to this day uses "old country" idioms.
  Still speaks rapid fire Russian, but translates for me.
 get her really upset, and it is all Russian.
  my thought to the poster, enjoy it, love the woman, don't worry so much.  That is from a guy with only US English that has worked all over the world. People communicate, common words or not.

[Muzh]

Donna Pedro!!!!!!
 
Long time, no see.  Good to see your name again.
 
To most of you, the name "Donna Pedro" will not mean anything.  However, if you seek some insightful advice from an intelligent RW, I suggest that you pay close attention.  I have read her posts for almost 10 years.

Didn't know the lady but based on her one post I just read, I'll do as you recommend.
 
Nice meeting you Donna Pedro