I'm Just Wondering...

[thewishfire]

I know that if you speak a second (or third, or fourth) language that you can get that country's flag on your nametag at Disney. Has anyone here done that? How well do you have to speak the language.. do you have to be fluent? How's the test?

Really, I'm just curious.

 

[csaribay]

I know that if you speak a second (or third, or fourth) language that you can get that country's flag on your nametag at Disney. Has anyone here done that? How well do you have to speak the language.. do you have to be fluent? How's the test?

Really, I'm just curious.

As long as you can demonstrate a conversational ability to speak the language, I believe you can have up to four language tags added to your name tag. If interested, you can contact the Epcot Programs Office after you arrive to organize a quick skills test where they will evaluate your language capability. The bar here is conversational ability- full fluidity with a language isn't required.

 

[CheshireSmile]

This is just a curious question too, I can't speak any other languages. Will they test you for any language? Or would they just be looking for ones that would have a lot of demand, like Spanish or French. I can't imagine they get a lot of demand for like Romanian or Finnish, or maybe I'm just generalizing.

 

[csaribay]

This is just a curious question too, I can't speak any other languages. Will they test you for any language? Or would they just be looking for ones that would have a lot of demand, like Spanish or French. I can't imagine they get a lot of demand for like Romanian or Finnish, or maybe I'm just generalizing.

You'd be amazed at the amount of languages Disney can test for and has pins for. Currently they offer:

Afrikaans, Arabic, Armenian, Bambara, Bahasa Indonesia, Bemba, Cambodian, Cantonese, Cebuano, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, French, Farsi, Finnish, Gaelic, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Kiswahili, Kreyolaysyen, Letuviu, Melayu, Madarin, Nepali, Ndebele, Norwegian, Portuguese, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Setswana, Shona, Sign Language, Sindebele, Swati, Swedish, Taiwanese, Tagalog, Telegu, Teing Viet, Thai, Urdu, Welsh, Xhosa, Zulu

 

[CheshireSmile]

You'd be amazed at the amount of languages Disney can test for and has pins for. Currently they offer:

Wow, you're right, I am amazed. I can't even tell you what countries some of those languages represent. And look, they actually are looking for Romanian and Finnish. What's a sign language flag look like? (sorry for all the questions, I've just never noticed CMs with flags, I'm going to be on the lookout now)

 

[DisneyJersey]

Wow, you're right, I am amazed. I can't even tell you what countries some of those languages represent. And look, they actually are looking for Romanian and Finnish. What's a sign language flag look like? (sorry for all the questions, I've just never noticed CMs with flags, I'm going to be on the lookout now)

i am actually deaf and got an asl pin without a test haha, its just a pin that has the letters asl in sign language... nothing fancy..

 

[Joanna71985]

I will be testing for the ASL pin this summer.

 

[thewishfire]

I will be testing for the ASL pin this summer.

Good luck!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

it should be noted that all the language tests can be done over the phone, with 1 exception. Sign Language can't be tested over the phone, so they set up an appointment with you to meet with someone and take the test.

 

[Joanna71985]

Good luck!

Thanks!!

 

[Merriweather86]

Basically, to get the language tag (not flag, anymore ), you just call the Epcot International Programs Office on Mondays (I believe it's from 8-1, but I don't remember exactly), and take the test. It's a fairly simple test, although level of difficulty varies on the language. Spanish is by far the easiest test...it's very simple, questions like, "Where are you from, where did you learn Spanish, what are your hobbies, where do you work, where are the restrooms, what time are the fireworks, how much does this cost, etc." The questions will pertain to your role for the most part, and it takes maybe 10 minutes max. And, I know this is kind of a given, but if you are a native speaker, you do not need to take the test You'll then get your new flashy gold nametag in a couple of weeks! Here's a picture of the old nametags with the flags, and then the new ones...

 

[thewishfire]

Thanks for the info Merriweather (and everyone else!)

I know I'm not good enough now, but I'm considering trying the test if I get in for the FA '09... it'll just take a lot lot lot of learning if I'm gonna be brave enough to call for it. I mean, if I do bad all they'll do is say no.. but I don't want to do alright and then have a guest ask me a question and I don't know what to say/what they're saying.

Merriweather, have you had a lot of guests speak to you in Spanish? I guess the amount of people who would talk to you is based on your language, and I'd imagine with Spanish you'd get a lot of people who speak it.

 

[Merriweather86]

Thanks for the info Merriweather (and everyone else!)

I know I'm not good enough now, but I'm considering trying the test if I get in for the FA '09... it'll just take a lot lot lot of learning if I'm gonna be brave enough to call for it. I mean, if I do bad all they'll do is say no.. but I don't want to do alright and then have a guest ask me a question and I don't know what to say/what they're saying.

Merriweather, have you had a lot of guests speak to you in Spanish? I guess the amount of people who would talk to you is based on your language, and I'd imagine with Spanish you'd get a lot of people who speak it.

It's my pleasure! I try to help where I can

And, I would definitely recommend taking the test. After all, the worst that can happen is they say, "Alright, good try, but I don't think you're quite ready yet." It's definitely worth a try...that's the thing about Disney- take every opportunity you can there, and definitely try to step outside of your box a little bit Taking the test (and wearing the tag, in all honesty) was a little uncomfortable for me sometimes, because I was always afraid of possibly not knowing the correct answer..but, luckily, you almost always know more than you think you do! But luckily, if you do need help, 95% of the time, there's going to be somebody around who also speaks Spanish. Plus, you'll get tons of experience, and your language skills will really improve! I'm from Missouri, and I learned more there than I did in 3 years of classes

So, in a nutshell, go for it. You've got nothing to lose! And, keep your normal nametag in your pocket, that way if you ever feel a little overwhelmed by it all, you can just pop that one on

 

[thewishfire]

But luckily, if you do need help, 95% of the time, there's going to be somebody around who also speaks Spanish.

I'm learning German! It might be a bit harder to find help if I need it, but there will also be less people who need the help. And you are right, any opportunity is a good one and worth a shot.

 

[Merriweather86]

Aaah, true. But, I've honestly never encountered any German speaking guests...I mean, I know that they're there, but they're not coming in swarms, that's for sure