i've been similar fortunate, as others have, in having connected with a
young lady who speaks very good English. Thus, we were able to
switch over from EMF to email in about a month. I didn't ask her
earlier since I wasn't counting the cost, and I wanted to size up her
comprehension skills...in response to my letters.
we write very little now, after 3 months, and it's easier for me to call
her on the phone and give her a wake up call or lengthier conversation
before she goes to sleep.
it's a pretty good balance: me with my English and Cantonese, and
she with her English and Cantonese (though her primary comfort is
Mandarin).
small steps...