[LEJ8]

Has anyone on this forum adopted an older child from India? Can you tell me how your child's transition went? What were the orphages like? Did your child speak English? A friend of mine from India said everyone in India speaks English, but I was wondering if the children in orphanages are taught English, too?

Thanks for your help

[Anu Subramanian]

I have no experience (yet) with adoption, but regarding English - also being from India - not *everyone* in India speaks English. It depends on where they live and the exposure. Similarly, I think some orphanages may have English-speaking children and others may not. I know of someone who adopted two girls (sisters) when they were older. She mentioned that they had to work on their English when they got here - one had some English, but as a second language and the other was just minimal (Greetings, names of some objects etc). Hope this helps.

[wannabamom]

Hi,
Yes, as Anu said, it depends mostly if the children are living in Indian cities. Most of them who in city orphanages are taught some english, however they talk in the local languages, so their English might be limited to reading and writing. I saw one boy though, who was about 7 who was adopted from Pune, who spoke quite good english.