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To encourage those concerned about the language...it comes very quickly! Maybe not in all cases, but our experience and many others we know. Our two 4yr old sons were speaking only English after 2mo and 6mo. Our 10yr old daughter knew some English and could read English when she came. She had an English teacher in Guatemala in the private school the orphanage sends the kids to. Of course, she couldn't understand nearly as much as she could say. We thought it would take her quite a bit longer than the boys, being older. She also learned English quickly. She has retained her accent, the boys haven't. I think she will keep that, and will have to make a conscious effort if she wants to avoid it. I know she can, as I can imitate a southern accent, etc.

It IS scary to not be able to communicate with your child. More so in Guatemala, where others can talk to them, but we can't. THAT is weird...and scary.

Much can be pantomimed, as in "Did you brush your teeth?" as you hold up toothbrush, paste, and make tooth brushing motions. And tone of voice really communicates a lot. Of course, you will experience the dumb look of "No habla Ingles"...as in they will pretend they don't have any idea what you are saying, when you know they understood perfectly. But my bios have done this at times...playing dumb...and my DH has selective hearing sometimes, also!

I have no idea how their young brains can learn a new language so quickly...but they can. Don't let THAT ever stop anyone. We are not bilingual. We know some helpful words and phrases. We should know more...our kids have made this too easy for us.