Gringos go home!!! No spanish, no stay!!! This will weed out.

Cuenca boy · 2015-03-29T18:31:38+02:00

New rules require Ecuador expats to be ‘proficient’ in Spanish; requirement affects current residents as well as new ones Published on March 28, 2015 by: CuencaHighLife |Comment In a dramatic policy change, Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Relations is instituting a rule that requires foreign expats to pass Spanish proficiency tests to maintain residency status. The change affects holders of all permanent-residency visas, including investor, professional and retiree. chl exterior min logoThe Foreign Ministry, which oversees immigration affairs in Ecuador, says that the rule change is the result of concerns that North American and some European residents are not assimilating into local communities and, in some cases, are adversely affecting local populations. In a prepared statement being distributed to overseas embassies and consulates, as well as to immigration offices in Ecuador, the Exterior Ministry says: “We recognize that Spanish-language proficiency is a major predictor of the ability to adapt to the local community and culture. We have become increasingly concerned that language problems are causing clashes between foreign residents and citizens due to cultural differences and misunderstandings. We are also concerned on behalf of our foreign guests that they may no longer be welcome here due to these misunderstandings.” The ministry statement continued, “It is our belief that those wishing to become residents of Ecuador should assume the responsibility of learning the country’s official language. We believe that most current residents and those applying for residency will understand and support this position.” The new rules require that all residency visas be renewed on an annual or bi-annual basis, on a schedule to be determined, with renewal contingent on successful performance on a Spanish-proficiency test. Temporary visas, such as those for students, temporary workers, and religious representatives, will not be subject to the language test. Language requirements for citizenship applications will not change. According the Ministry, the level of Spanish-language proficiency required for visa renewal will rise according to the length of time a resident is in Ecuador. The tests will be given at one-, three-, and five-year intervals, at the time of visa renewal, with each test being progressively more difficult. At five years, the ministry says, it expects the visa holder to be fluent enough to be fully functional in the Spanish-speaking community. Foreign residents who do not pass the proficiency test can retake the exam twice. Those who don’t pass and don’t leave the country voluntarily will be deported at their own expense, the Ministry said. Lee Dubs, owner of Cuenca’s Carolina Bookstore and a Spanish-language instructor, advised the ministry in developing the new rule. “This is badly needed and I’m proud to part of helping out with the new rules,” he said. “I’ve been watching more and more folks arrive in Cuenca who seem to have no interest in learning the language or participating in the culture. Frankly, I think there’s a lot of gringo dead wood here.” Dubs, who was a Spanish professor at a North Carolina college before relocating to Cuenca, admits he flunked the sample five-year test. “I’m going to have to hit the books myself,” he said. “I guess I need to practice what I preach.” According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Alfredo Maldonado, his office has been particularly concerned about the impact English-speaking expats are having in smaller communities, such as Vilcabamba, Cotacachi, Salinas, and Olón. “The lack of assimilation by foreigners in small towns has led to increasing discord, sometimes leading to legal disputes and violence, that we think is the result of foreigners’ ignorance of the language,” he said. “We’ve also been concerned about the large foreign population in Cuenca, which we understand is about eight thousand. There are neighborhoods in Cuenca that are called ‘gringolandia,’ and this obviously is not a sign of assimilation.” The foreign ministry says it is working out visa-renewal schedules and language-test details and will contact the English-speaking expat community explaining the new procedures, through websites such as this one, by the end of April. Graciela Corral, assistant director of the Cuenca immigration office on Av. Manuel Calle, said she’s expecting a deluge of inquiries. “We expect a lot more than usual since April 1 is coming up soon,” she said. This will weed out a ton of malcontents who refuse to learn spanish. I for one will be happy about that! I took time to learn spanish, Now am real glad I did.

Last activity 07 May 2015 by Priscilla

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PEI RedContributor15 April 2015 19:43:19

#41

147

I find a certain irony in the thought that having to have some aptitude in Spanish in a Spanish speaking country is offensive, when I've heard so many North Americans complain about "foreigners" not assimilating in the US or Canada. (Resistance is futile!) While not everyone will be able to become fluent, most should surely be able to pick up enough Spanish to conduct most day to day business. We're the immigrants, we should do what we can to embrace our chosen country's culture. Even if the "joke" did cause some panic, it could eventually come to pass; be prepared for the possibility. (Even though I think CCCMedia is correct in their assessment of why it won't happen any time soon!)

yunhfGuest15 April 2015 20:50:05

#42

214245

Not offensive to me. I plan to take Spanish classes & become as fluent as possible as this will also help me as I now live in South Florida where Spanish is needed
Sally Ewing

CB48Active member20 April 2015 03:47:49

#43

This was a really bad April fools joke. Please don't spread it any farther!

SunnystarsMember06 May 2015 15:59:05

#44

kindheart1956 wrote:
This was reminiscent of Orison Wells "war of the worlds". He was never allowed on the radio again after the scares he caused. So maybe the person who posted it should be banned from this blog for life? Just a thought about Justice!

I agree with the statement above. This forum is a safe place for those who want to learn the "reality" of EC life. It should be a creditable place for all to get information and share stories. I for one was not thrilled by the "April fools joke".
I personally tried to get more info on it via groups and online. I just don't think those kind of jokes/posts should've allowed. Really it's clearly disinformation. This brings me back to the members comment on posts like this being similar to war of the worlds in radio. It's misleading and should be banned. The post and the person who posted it.
The forum/ website is a place ( I think) for accurate information on events and connections to those interested in being an expat. I imagine this forum/ website makes it easier for those of us who are searching for answers and info on EC to understand the climate both political and actual. I'm kinda thrown aback at jokes not be labeled as disinformation and therefore being banned or deleted.
I personally went on for weeks thinking that post was legit. Not nice or of value to anyone to permit nonsensical info.
Ban em. 😍😒

cccmediaEcuador / Colombia Expert06 May 2015 18:12:15

#45

10279

The dubious pre-April joke on Expats was perpetrated by a Cuenca-based website, not by anyone on the Expat.com Ecuador forum.

To our knowledge, the parties responsible were never on this blog and have not attempted to participate in Expat.com.

Expat.com members have obviously participated in discussing the incident, and (except for one or two posts that were moderated) have done so within their rights and in an appropriate manner.

Correcting the record: The statement above that Orson Wells was "never allowed on the radio again" is false. His 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast contained audience notifications at the beginning and midway through the show as to the true nature of the broadcast. The use of fake news bulletins was not allowed on radio after the War of the Worlds broadcast, but Wells was not banned from appearing on national radio.

cccmedia in Quito

PriscillaViP07 May 2015 10:01:51

#46

42358

Hi everybody,

As this joke has been made on Aprils fool day and that we are already in the month of May, which means that this joke is now outdated, we are closing this thread in order to limit the number of useless disputes.

Thank you

Priscilla

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