Studying Vietnamese

We have been studying Vietnamese day and night for the past week. We have private lessons with a Vietnamese tutor who teaches English for other students in his home. It has been an interesting experience. Our lessons usually occur during the times the students arrive for their English lesson. We always seem to have an audience while we are trying to clumsily pronounce Vietnamese words and phrases. They are so sweet and always give us praise and encouragement. My favorite part of the lesson is actually conversing with the Vietnamese students. We get to practice our Vietnamese and they practice their English skills. Sometimes it feels like we are making little progress, but we have to remember it has only been a week. Being completely immersed has actually helped speed up the progress a little more than if we were studying Vietnamese at a college in the United States.

I have been studying at the local cafe across the street from my cousin's guesthouse and have gotten to know the local vendors. There are a group of people and children who sell lottery tickets at the cafe daily. I have learned they are homeless and receive a portion of the proceeds from the sell of the tickets. They will stand by the table and watch me study. One particular woman has enjoyed helping me with my pronunciation and spelling. She has taken it upon herself to make sure the waiters are giving me good service and that customers know I am studying Vietnamese.

I have enjoyed the experience of being one of the locals. I thought I looked too Westernized that people would not recognize I was part Vietnamese. People automatically speak Vietnamese with me and are shocked when I have no idea what they are saying. I have learned to explain in Vietnamese why I do not speak Vietnamese (that was the first item to learn from my tutor).
I have really enjoyed being here and am excited to learn more about the Vietnamese culture. I definitely feel at home when I am riding my bike around town and just taking it all in. I am looking forward to seeing and experiencing more of Vietnam.

Hoa