We have wonderful tutors here at
the Hospital School who are ready to jump right in and help out in any
situation where they are needed. Recently, new tutor Sandy was called on
to help a high school student with her math assignments.
N.H. was a high school student,
who had emigrated from Vietnam about 2 years ago. She spoke and
understood some English although, in working with her, it soon became clear
that she struggled. The teacher asked Sandy to work with her on a math
worksheet. She was unaware that Sandy was also Vietnamese and was soon
surprised to hear Sandy explaining the math concepts to her in her native
language. N.H. seemed delighted and her whole face lit up to be able to
talk and understand free of the language barrier. Sandy explained that
she is conversationally fluent in Vietnamese but had never instructed anyone in
Vietnamese, not to mention having to teach in the specific language of math.
Both young women were pleased with the chance encounter and the teacher was
very happy that her student was able to have a successful day in school.
"Bạn có nói ngôn ngữ của
tôi?" translates to "Do you speak my language?"
