I'm going to be working there for a few months next year, and was told that i would not need a prior knowledge of vietnamese. Can i assume then, that a majority of the vietnamese people will speak at least basic english? I think i'll take a course in vietnamese anyway, but if you've been to Vietnam, i'd appreciate any advice!
Other - Vietnam - 9 Answers
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1 :
As a matter of fact they can. All foreign countries such as that, china and japan. For most schools, it is mandatory for the children to learn english for they second language. So if you were to go there, im sure you would find many people to speak english.
2 :
yes, some of them can, but it's broken English so to speak. It's th3 2nd language but it's not practically and usually use, therefor there is the gap of connection between foreigner and them.
3 :
I traveled Vietnam for a month and found the most Vietnamese people spoke at least basic English. I had absolutely no trouble in terms of communication, at all.
4 :
What you were told is essentially correct. Most people whom you'll likely be dealing with do speak some English.Some are even fluent. Taking a course is also a good idea but it'll take awhile to really learn the language.In the meantime, I'd advise you to buy a Vietnamese phrase book and begin to get acquainted with the same. Good luck! You'll have a wonderful time in Vietnam.
5 :
Well the question is pretty much answered! So what are you working as over there? (I'm curious) & I also wish you luck. :)
6 :
strangely enough, they can! most usually have a heavy accent, so its a little hard to understand them.
7 :
not alot of people there do really
8 :
They know english but has an accent too it. And it can get diffcult to understand them. But don't assume because not all vietnamese can afford learning english! So havea handbook in case. Good Luck
9 :
My wife is Vietnamese, and she's been in Hawaii since 1982, and her accent is still very strong, but you get used to it. I bought the Rosetta stone Vietnamese language course and was doing well till my computer crashed!! lol The language is a tonal language, so don't make the mistake I did where I bought a Learn to speak Vietnamese language book from Barnes and Nobles; They had a section for a "pronounciation drill", all I saw was about five "ba"'s with different symbols. I didn't know how to differentiate between the different tones. How was I to know how to say each one different? That's why the Rosetta stone course was so much better for learning the pronounciation! You could get in trouble for saying the wrong pronounciation!! When I was dating my wife (we're taxi drivers) I told her on the radio "I love you very much " (Anh yeu em yeu lam- Sorry didn't put tonal markings). One of the other drivers told me the way I pronounced "yeu" it meant "sick" or "weak"! Another time I wanted to eat fish "Toi muon an ca", but the way I said "ca" she asked me why do I want to eat a tomato? Lol :) I love languages, but I gotta say Vietnamese is the most challenging!! Good luck to you, and maybe when I go Vietnam with my wife, I'll stop by to say Hi!! (Need to meet the "in-laws" for the first time)
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