language for Russian adoptees

[Robert Orr]

And this may sound like going against the tide of educational theory, but
exposure to massive amounts of TV in English can't hurt, in this context.

Robert Orr

-----Original Message-----
From: Devin P Browne <dpbrowne+ at pitt.edu>
To: SEELANGS at CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU <SEELANGS at CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 8:05 AM
Subject: Re: language for Russian adoptees


>I was asked to help a little girl a few years ago who's parents were
>concerned she wasn't picking up English fast enough.  She was 5 when they
>adopted her and was the sweetest thing.  However, "fast enough" ended up
>being pretty subjective.  The parents were getting frustrated, but the
>girl's acquisition of English was coming along just fine.  Tell them to
>expect to be frustrated but to be patient.  It may take a little longer
>since they have each other to speak Russian with, but putting them into
>social situations more often (once they are comfortable with it) will help
>them to pick up English more quickly.  Also, tell the mother to check into
>ESL services that must be offered by the school -- a good ESL trainer in
>an elementary school can really help in these kinds of transitions.
>
>Devin / Divan
>
>Devin P Browne
>dpbrowne+ at pitt.edu
>