The inevitable came. Before we realized it, we were already being pulled out one by one and escorted to the conference room where we have to face the biggest challenge so far. I was nervous. I was anxious. I was too distracted – failing even to participate in normal conversation. Pulse raced. Heart throbbed. Mind cart-wheeled. It was one day that I allowed myself to become officially crazy.
The final call came. My ID number was announced. I do not even recall walking from our home base to the conference room. I was alone with the telephone. The silence was deafening. The hypothermia-inducing temperature of the room failed to lower my higher-than-average heartbeat rate. Time was up and I was instructed to dial the number. Dialling the number on the phone seemed to last longer than forever. My mind raced through countless topics under the sun. I thought I heard my communications coach’s voice: stay calm…just be yourself…you can do it… it’s just a piece of cake…
Make or break. Come what may. Que sera sera! I was somehow successful at convincing myself to stop the “trembling” and twelve clicks and three rings later, there was Ben.
Ben’s tone was robotic. His words were straightforward. He sounded adamant and condescending. He was a stranger. How could we connect? I could have died right there and then…but thinking about the company’s investment and possible losses (ahem!), I claimed and believed that I would survive. I could make it.
I have heard a lot about how challenging the Berlitz is. Some encouragingly suggested keeping the conversation within the subject of your mastery and/or experience. Even so, you will not really have complete control over which words or phrases (from your own statement) will tickle the interviewer’s fancy. Your listening, reading and integrated comprehension, coupled with grammatical accuracy and breadth of vocabulary will certainly be put to test as you struggle to say what you mind and mind what you say. Add to it the disturbing thought that interviewers, like Ben, are native speakers of the language you would like to be certified in.
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| The Berlitz Learning Cycle from www.berlitz.de |
So there was Ben, and my Berlitz certification was in his hands. I readied myself with contents about my favorites including family, friends, photography, teaching, physics, computer games, writing, travel, and tv shows. I have also gone over inquiries on how I spend my free time, how I prepare for work, what I do on weekends, etc. I ran through details/stories on macro photography and insects, teaching physics for over a decade and taking a break from it, losing ten year’s worth of journals, preferred TV shows to watch with family, even qualities I love about friends. Believe me, it is so exhausting thinking and talking about the things you do as you live your life. And you have to be so confident to talk about any or all of it with a stranger! Awesome! >.<
Ben’s very first question was: tell me about yourself. Piece of cake and crown of thorns at the same time! Where do you begin? How do you start? It was much easier and comfortable to feign amnesia than answer the question to impress Ben (impression with only the truth, for certification’s sake J) But time waited for no one and I had to proceed – basics first. Our conversation cum interview lasted for about five minutes and the first question led us to an elaborate discussion on parental guidance over internet sites, establishing censorship over the web for pre-school kids not to be able to view restricted sites. See how very close this topic is to my favorites?
I failed. NOT. I got certified (thank heavens). To have passed the test was an achievement. The experience alone was enriching – whether I made it or not. Add to it the drills I went through during communications and culture training. How did “taking a break” end up with constant evaluation of my communications skills? I suddenly felt old for all the tests. L
I may have been used to public speaking throughout my teaching years but I have always been the timid one. Let us just say that I am intoxicated with a high dose of stage fright. I could have opted to stay still and quiet, but surely, that would not have made the “fright” go away. Haunted is what I would have been.
Bens and Berlitzes will always be around the bend, in their various forms, and life would eventually lead us to them. The Ben and Berlitz I met scared me. But knowing that I was not alone, and that I have to get it done and over with anyway, I faced the fear, and conquered.
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