Elizabeth Shaw is a speech pathologist who worked with Vidya Soewando on some projects. Shaw was impressed with how Soewando taught English to children in a natural way by embedding vocabulary in activities. When Shaw asked her to do some photocopying and prepare therapy resources, Soewando demonstrated strong skills. She grasped the tasks well and completed the assignments efficiently and accurately without needing much direction. Soewando also showed good communication and organization skills throughout the projects. Shaw was pleased with Soewando's work and recommends her for employment.

1. Able to Talk
Elizabeth Shaw 9 Aberfeldy Street
Speech Pathologist Kenmore, Q.
B.Sp.Thy.[Qld.], M.S. [USA], MSPA Australia 4069
kenmoretherapy@gmail.com 011 61 7 3701 5343
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: Ms Vidya (Vanda) Soewando
I am a speech-language pathologist who worked at the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinic for
10 years. I currently reside in Australia where I have a private speech therapy practice. I met Ms
Soewando at the library by happenstance during my visit to Halifax this winter.
Our common interest lies in teaching language to young children. Ms Soewando had been tutoring
young children in English as a second language, and I work with children with language delays. We
discovered the similarity in our approach to teaching language. I was impressed with how Ms
Soewando described embedding vocabulary within the activities she engaged the children in,
creating natural interest and motivation, rather than using a curriculum based system where children
are taught vocabulary during adult-led activities often of little appeal to children.
Learning that Ms Soewando was seeking employment, I asked her to do some photocopying and to
prepare therapy resources for older clients with pronunciation problems. The task was to write
sentences using two rhyming words (e.g. eat/heat). Other assistants have found it challenging to
create two equally realistic sentences. Ms Soewando had no difficulty - readily grasping the task
involved, requiring minimal direction. She demonstrated pride in her work, efficiently completing
the assignments with a high degree of accuracy (without typing errors). She was a fast worker -
completing work overnight – even though she knew I was on vacation and there was no deadline.
Ms Soewando was also very organised when photocopying, separating the relevant sections with
the associated receipts etc., and preserving my notes for me to check her work.
Throughout the assignments Ms Soewando demonstrated the personal attributes employers seek.
She was punctual for every meeting, polite and courteous, and flexible regarding changing
appointment times. Ms Soewando showed excellent communication skills, clarifying the task
requirements. She is highly articulate, using sophisticated vocabulary like insidious and vicarious.
Ms Soewando made useful suggestions for the projects – e.g. regarding the degree of reduction for
photocopying stories for children – that their young age demanded that copies not be too small etc..
I am happy to provide any further information. I am returning to Australia on March 7th
. After that
I can reply by email or make inexpensive phone calls from Australia by appointment.
Kind regards
(electronically submitted)
Elizabeth Shaw
MSPA: Member of Speech Pathology Australia