Learning English

[Jun]

One of my Cambodian acquaintances doesn't speak much English and as far as I can tell, can't read any language.

Having established that he also doesn't read the Roman alphabet, or recognise letters I thought I'd start by finding him an English language alphabet app. That took a while, as most are designed for under 8s.

I suggested he used the app at least twice a day.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the progress. After about a week, he can get about 80% of the letters right.
Time to find a reading app for basic conversation.

[christianpfc]

"can't read any language." not even Cambodian?

No English comes as a surprise. Those who go to a foreign country to work are usually the mentally and physically more mobile. That's why I have a higher opinion of Khmer and Myanmar boys in Thailand than of Thais, because they are a positive selection. The dumb ones don't make it to Thailand.

[Jun]

"can't read any language." not even Cambodian?

He's certainly not proficient at reading Cambodian. If we use google translate and I show him the result, he doesn't read it, he uses the audio. I've tried testing him and he doesn't seem to know what it says.
His phone is set to English language as well.

There's still some positive selection. He has plenty of initiative. He can get off his arse and find customers. Even whilst sat with me and being quite attentive, he still finds time to shout instructions to other lads who are about to miss a prospective customer.
He's doing the translation for the staff who speak no English, despite knowing very little himself.
Overall, he's doing more supervision than the bar owner.

[Jun]

Well my young Cambodian friend is getting near to 100% on the ABC app test.

So time to push him further. I showed him the Flashcard maker app. He's quite interested in that and has downloaded it.
I only discovered that this week, but it's the kind of thing I'm looking for too.

[Jun]

Jun: "Do you know the meaning of this bar name?"
Boy: "Oh yes. 69 is a number"
Jun: "Do you know the other meaning?"
Boy.....blank looks.

[KeithAmbrose]

Jun: "Do you know the meaning of this bar name?"
Boy: "Oh yes. 69 is a number"
Jun: "Do you know the other meaning?"
Boy.....blank looks.

I hope you will demonstrate the meaning!

[Jun]

I hope you will demonstrate the meaning!

He was unfamiliar with the terminology, rather than the position.

When he realised what his bar is probably named after, the brief look of embarassment was priceless.