This study investigated the relationships between communication
patterns and peer interactions of a six-year-old child born to V ietnamese
immigrant parents in Taiwan. By case-study methodology, this study aimed to
answer the following questions: (1) what are the characteristics of the child\'s
communication patterns? And (2) what are the relationships of her communi -
cation patterns and her peer interactions? The data were collected by obser -
vations in the class and at home, and interviews with parents and teachers. To
measure the child\'s language development and temperament, the following
instruments were conducted: Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, Test
of Children\'s Expression Ability, and Temperament Assessment Battery for
Children. Results suggested that, constrained by language experience at
home, the child\'s communication skills were underdeveloped. She had limited
vocabulary at her disposal and her speech was often incomprehensible. T he
communication patterns included avoidance, verbal threats, and reporting to
the teachers. Although her social status in the classroom was normal, the peer
interactions were negatively affected by her communication patterns. T he
implications of the findings were discussed and suggestions for future
research were included.