All About Full-Time Maids

[SMH FOREST]

tigger88:

SMH FOREST:

Hiya all....


Sigh... life has not been easy... went for last min biz trip... kid got admitted to hospital while i was there! And then new maid.. not as expected... cant speak english or understand!! Dunno how my hub did the interview!! Up until now, after repeating to her \"handkerchief\" alot of times over the many days she's been with us... she still looks at me blankly when i asked her to help get 1 for my boy yday....

Haizz... its a long and painful process training new maids!!

Oh dear, how is your kid? Hope is nothing serious. Your maid is from indonesia? Maybe you can pick up some simple behasa to communicate with her. Else chicken and duck talk, very tough.

Thanks tigger88!!

Thank goodness my boy recovered!! Lung infection and pneumonia...

Yes, from indo.. guess, her comprehension of english is really bad! I barely knew a word of bahasa and have been trying to speak to her in my very limited malay... her issue is that she is not so willing to learn the english language... during 1 of her first days, she even told me she DUN WAN to learn english... had to ask the agent to talk to her then! FAINT... :faint: :faint:

I really wonder how she managed to pass her english test at the first try?? To be honest, the test is really useless in ensuring that the maids know a lil english... mine can't speak and can't understand the schedule i gave her.. i really wonder how she passed her test! Haizz

[tigger88]

SMH FOREST:

Thanks tigger88!!

Thank goodness my boy recovered!! Lung infection and pneumonia...

Yes, from indo.. guess, her comprehension of english is really bad! I barely knew a word of bahasa and have been trying to speak to her in my very limited malay... her issue is that she is not so willing to learn the english language... during 1 of her first days, she even told me she DUN WAN to learn english... had to ask the agent to talk to her then! FAINT... :faint: :faint:

I really wonder how she managed to pass her english test at the first try?? To be honest, the test is really useless in ensuring that the maids know a lil english... mine can't speak and can't understand the schedule i gave her.. i really wonder how she passed her test! Haizz

Good to know that your boy has recovered. You must be very worried and being away from home then.

If your maid is really serious in her job, the least she could do is to learn English fast. Dun understand why she dun wan to learn.

[hquek]

SMH FOREST:

I really wonder how she managed to pass her english test at the first try?? To be honest, the test is really useless in ensuring that the maids know a lil english... mine can't speak and can't understand the schedule i gave her.. i really wonder how she passed her test! Haizz

Glad to know your son is alright.

I totally agree, passing the english test doesn't mean they know how to respond to english orally spoken. I hope that MOM is seriously looking into alternative tests that WILL make a difference to the type of maids that get into SG.

[Admummy]

SMH FOREST:

I barely knew a word of bahasa and have been trying to speak to her in my very limited malay... her issue is that she is not so willing to learn the english language... during 1 of her first days, she even told me she DUN WAN to learn english... had to ask the agent to talk to her then! FAINT... :faint: :faint:


are you using iphone, there's some free language translator apps that's available at App Store, it provides translation from english to indonesian (comes with voice to read out the translation)....I've installed mine just in case chicken and duck talk episode surfaces when new maid (indo) arrives, maybe you'll like to try...but bear in mind, the sound quality not that fantastic but when desperate, at lease can help bah...

mine can't speak and can't understand the schedule i gave her..
is the schedule in english? why not translate to indonesian for her? you can use google translator... in any case, you may like to refer to this site, Singapore Maid Blog by Tamarind, there's samples of schedule for maid chores and other useful resources as well...the link is http://singaporemaidinfo.blogspot.com/2007/09/daily-schedule-july-2007-by-lani.html

[SMH FOREST]

tigger88:

Good to know that your boy has recovered. You must be very worried and being away from home then.

If your maid is really serious in her job, the least she could do is to learn English fast. Dun understand why she dun wan to learn.

Thanks tigger88... i was worried sick and crying... my son is my weakness.. :oops: :oops:

I dun understand either! I asked her... u wanna come to singapore to work, but dun wanna learn english? of cos.. she didnt understand what i said, and again gave me a blank look! :stupid:

[SMH FOREST]

hquek:

SMH FOREST:

I really wonder how she managed to pass her english test at the first try?? To be honest, the test is really useless in ensuring that the maids know a lil english... mine can't speak and can't understand the schedule i gave her.. i really wonder how she passed her test! Haizz

Glad to know your son is alright.

I totally agree, passing the english test doesn't mean they know how to respond to english orally spoken. I hope that MOM is seriously looking into alternative tests that WILL make a difference to the type of maids that get into SG.

Thanks hquek!

MOM.. i have doubts.. its obvious that employers are on the losing end, but nothing is done isnt it?? their response to the recent case already says otherwise... they are just not checking on the facts and truths... SIGH

[hquek]

I wonder if pp at MOM hire maids…

[SMH FOREST]

LKVM:

Yeah dunno how they pass maybe just mug up?

From what i hear, the agencies do give them a set of questions to memorise!! So, these maids passing the test doesn't mean that they know what the questions are about... when i questioned my agent over this maid's non-comprehension of english... n she countered me n said she can pass test so not so bad... i retorted that agents give them model qns to memorise... she said.. ya... but still.. she shd be able to understand...

the fact tt she didnt deny means its true lor.... faintzzz :shock:

[SMH FOREST]

Admummy:

SMH FOREST:

I barely knew a word of bahasa and have been trying to speak to her in my very limited malay... her issue is that she is not so willing to learn the english language... during 1 of her first days, she even told me she DUN WAN to learn english... had to ask the agent to talk to her then! FAINT... :faint: :faint:


are you using iphone, there's some free language translator apps that's available at App Store, it provides translation from english to indonesian (comes with voice to read out the translation)....I've installed mine just in case chicken and duck talk episode surfaces when new maid (indo) arrives, maybe you'll like to try...but bear in mind, the sound quality not that fantastic but when desperate, at lease can help bah...

mine can't speak and can't understand the schedule i gave her..
is the schedule in english? why not translate to indonesian for her? you can use google translator... in any case, you may like to refer to this site, Singapore Maid Blog by Tamarind, there's samples of schedule for maid chores and other useful resources as well...the link is http://singaporemaidinfo.blogspot.com/2007/09/daily-schedule-july-2007-by-lani.html

Thanks Admummy!

I didn't know there's free apps!! Will go and check it out and dl tonight!!

*edited: can you share the name of the app you installed?

I've a rules and guidelines in bahasa frm my fren.... but the schedule is in english, since no one can translate for me... thanks for the link tho! Very useful! I'll check it and improvise from there!! thanks much!

[peapot]

Oh! I have the translator in my Iphone. I was thinking of using it when I go Japan or Korea. When I order the food, I can play it to the waiter so that I don’t order the wrong food.


It didn’t cross my mind to use it on maids. Really ah!!! Admummy, you are really good!