Viet class
Audrey's plugging right along with her Vietnamese classes. We finally found a place for her to learn: the Van Lang Vietnamese School. Classes are held every Sunday for 2 1/2 hours. The first class was a bit overwhelming since everything is done in Vietnamese and neither of us could figure out what they were talking about for the first 15 or 20 minutes of the class. She began to piece it together and has done okay. Thankfully, though she understands little of what is said, she isn't feeling overwhelmed, but rather feels like she is starting to get it a bit better.
Unfortunately, she's at a bit of a disadvantage as the sole (as far as I've seen) Caucasian with no Viet spoken at home. Everyone else speaks Viet, but are there to learn correct Vietnamese. Audrey is there to just learn it. But she's doing okay. I'd like to find her a tutor for once a week, but that'll have to wait for a bit. She's trying hard and for that, I'm happy.
The only frustrating part is that the kids laugh when she tries to speak it. That's irritating for both of us, but especially hurtful to her. Just don't know how to change that as it's always been the case. Bummer.
posted by teresa @ 6:54 AM
4 Comments:
Tell her not to let the laughing get to her, they can not speak english very well either! Take her to a store where some work and try to have her buy something in english and she will find out she is not alone. Two of our grandkids are in a dual spanish/english school and they are adapting well after a little while. Knowing a second language is a good thing.
unc d&j
in response:
Umm first of all, how do you know they can NOT speak English? If they can not speak English and they're LEARNING Vietnamese.. what language do they know?? That's rather an ignorant comment.
But hey, this shows Audrey the reality of things. When Vietnamese kids who don't speak english go to an American school.. they are teased and laughed at for not pronouncing words correctly.
Welcome to being a minority!
- visitor from Vietnam
The kids there speak English and Vietnamese so well, they flow between the languages as if they were one and the same. It's really wonderful to see them as they mix the words or sentences, changing depending on whom they are talking to. One of the gifts of growing up bilingual.
As for being a minority in the Vietnamese community, we're well past the welcome phase since it's been a year now that we've been the odd one out. Everyone's been kind, but kids tend to tease more and don't have much experience with outsiders coming in to their school and learning their language. It's an adjustment for them more than for Audrey, I think. But I do wish they (and kids, in general) wouldn't laugh at the ones who are struggling to catch up.
Audrey's definitely at a disadvantage being monolingual, but she's getting there and she isn't giving up. I'm super proud of her for that.
It continues to be a learning experience for us all.
Hi Teresa, I just happen to come across your blog and I find it fascinating that you are so interested in a foreign culture.
As a Vietnamese who had to learn English when I was ten, I know how hard and frustrating a foreign language can seem. But kudos to you for exposing your kids to another culture! In addition, I think their laughter is out of awe and amusement rather than malice. After all, kids will be kids. But tell your kids not to give up, it's wonderful to be bilingual!
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