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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]New AP recently started, from Germany.  Maybe we have been lulled into our current expectation by our prior APs, but I think she has no idea what I'm saying on most occasions.  She seems to speak well enough (although not very often)  but I'm finding that she agrees to things and then doesn't do them.  Since we are only into the second week, I'm hoping it's lack of understanding and not blatant disregard for the job.  For instance, the first days that she was here, she really didn't lift a finger to help clean up after dinner, even tho she was still working and I had made a full meal. And when I say didn't lift a finger I mean not the kids stuff (although I ask them to do most of it) or even her own plate.  I subsequently explained to her that in our house, if you eat a meal you are expected to help with the clean up - the only person who doesn't clean up is the cook.  I also explained that if any dishes don't fit in the dishwasher, the person/people cleaning up will hand-wash those so that the sink is empty.  She nodded and agreed.  Since then, she started putting her plate in the dishwasher, but hasn't hand-washed a dinner dish yet!  I don't know if I should just repeat the instructions as if I never said it, or ask her to explain to me what she thought I said?  This is just one of several examples.  Any advice?[/quote]

It sounds like a combination of many "new au pair" issues, including possibly language.  (Although what you are describing doesn't seem like a language issue, since dinner clean-up etiquette is something most folks with a little wherewithal can pick up with no words having to be exchanged.)  But true language issues, at least for us, become apparent and are problematic when they have to do with childcare.  We had one au pair with whom we re-matched over language issues because she literally - and I really do mean literally here - did not understand a word we were saying (our fault; we ignored what we should have learned from Skype interviews).  And after two weeks, still didn't, even with sending right away to classes, workbooks, google translate, etc.  But - even with her extreme lack of English capability, this AP was able to pick up on etiquette cues and appropriate household behavior and participation.  So - it sounds like, while your AP may need some more time to gain better English skills (as most folks do upon first arriving in a foreign country), there are other issues.[/quote]

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