[williamtkk]

For those who do not speak local language, here is some old tricks so that chicken and duck can communicate when meeting face to face. The good news is that, it is still possible to communicate to decent VBs, with very little English capability (caveat: need extra patient)

1) Get a plain pocket notes and a small pencil, always keep them inside your pockets.

2) Speak English to her very slowly using simple words. Depending on her standard of English, use the pocket notes and write the words out for her as frequently as you need when she looks blur.

3) Never underestimate her ability to READ English. She might not be able to listen, speak or write English well, but she can READ, VBs can read ABC. Most people learn English in Secondary School as an additional subject taught in school, whether or not they learn it well, they do READ the textbooks and the teacher's handwriting on the board, albeit in simple English.

4) Drawing, face expression and acting out helps a lot.

5) Encourage her to use her handphone to help in translation and let her learn new English words. She can type in those English words that you have written to translate into tieng viet or you can ask her to type some tieng viet into the phone for the English translation if she cant come out with any English word to express herself.

Lastly, use SMS to arrange meet ups, do not call her or she may not understand you on the phone, remember she reads better than she listens to English.

Good luck and peace always.