Interview with Lam Tuyền

Honestly, we rarely speak Chinese in the Chinese period because if our teacher talk normally in Chinese we cannot understand. As I mentioned, we only know some basic sentences or just for communication in daily life.

It is a fact that we never say xin chào, we use lots of ways except for xin chào like “ê cu.” We will ask them the activities that they are doing, like “you are drinking coffee right?,” so “để uống cafe ha?” It is a way for us to say xin chào, but we never say xin chào.

What are some common kids' names at your school?:

For females, Thư is the most common name. I know lots of my friends have the name Thư. If I know ten girls, seven girls will have the name Thư. For males, it is Huy [pronounced hwee]. But, my name [Tuyền] is a bit uncommon; I don't think people use my name to name their children a lot.

What subjects do you study in school, and which one is your favorite?:

Math, literature, physics, economics and law, Chinese, English, PE, geography and history. 

Max: Do you do any military training, or just younger training?

It is for army. We will learn how to use guns, how to throw away the bomb and some movements that we used to use in the war in the past.

Max: Is it for all grades?

For all of the grades, and the level will increase each year.

What is your homework like?:

I will endeavor to finish some subjects before I go back home. I will use my break time to do it. So, after I take a bathe I will study to around 11:30 p.m.

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