I think my teacher’s greatest asset is her patience. With the help of her clear enunciation and tireless repetition of words and their meanings, my vocabulary and ability to hold a conversation grows at each of our lessons. Her good sense of humor makes our conversations, even with my beginner’s vocabulary, great fun. Moreover, the studio at her house is a wonderful setting in which to learn. In its quiet and looking onto a lovely kitchen vegetable garden, the private space allows me to confidently practice my Vietnamese.