Adopting Older Boys (and girls too) - Language Issues

Since we were privileged with adopting older BOYS and most older child adoptions tend to be girls, there doesn't seem to be a lot of info on how to transition with boys.  So, I thought I would do a series about it.  Some posts (like this one) will apply to both genders.  Some posts will only apply to boys. 

Usually the first question we are asked when we tell people about the boys is "Do they speak English?"  The answer is yes and no.  GW had 3 years of English at school in China.  But he is one of the lucky ones that was allowed to attend a regular public school in China.  So, he knows English, but he really doesn't "speak" much.  He is more comfortable reading/hearing than speaking at this point.  TJ knew no English when we met.  He is picking up more phrases "Oh No!", "Oh Yeah!"  "I don't know English", "I don't know Chinese"  (said in jest to our kids), "Thank You", "I know" (but does he really?), etc.

I would STRONGLY recommend for those adopting older kids (7 and up?) to LEARN SOME MANDARIN.  Our 12yo and I took Chinese for 4 months at our local university (through our local Chinese Association) before travelling.  I think this has made a HUGE difference in their transition.  I have also used Rocket Languages and LiveMocha to practice.  But, honestly, our class has been the biggest help.  We have continued to take classes now that we are home and I took the opportunity while in China to ask our guide some phrases (particularly ones I heard them using a lot). 

We are very fortunate that if my miniscule Mandarin, charades, the electronic translator or Google translate cannot get my point across to TJ, GW will translate for us.  It has been a HUGE help and I can't thank him enough (or God for letting us bring home two at once).  I will also say that my 12yo has been picking up more and more Mandarin at home and he is also a big help in talking to both boys for us.