What goals for learning a language outside of school?

[GottaGetUp]

My dc (10 and 8) are learning Mandarin outside of school. It’s just a casual thing with a family friend who is Chinese, so no particular structure so far.

They are learning because we spent two years in singapore where they had lessons at school every day and really took to it and enjoyed it so I wanted to keep it up.

As my main motivation has been to keep the interest going and make sure they don’t lose what they had learnt, I wasn’t bothered about formal lessons, but I’m now wondering if there’s something they should be aiming for? Like learning an instrument has grades, or if they were older maybe they’d go for an extra GCSE or something - are there intermediate steps before that?

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Trouble is, if you start making it more formal, then it becomes like school - you risk sucking all the fun and enjoyment out of it.

I'd focus on keeping their learning enjoyable. Get them age-appropriate Mandarin books/stories, or online puzzles and games (if there are any!). Don't make it a chore.

Possibly, though they’ve both been fond of getting certificates in the past 😄

I guess it’s because whatever other activities they tried previously, I’ve been able to see/hear progress directly, but I can’t follow this at all! It’s all very impressive but I haven’t a clue what they’re saying/writing...

I definitely don’t want to make it a chore for them though, they’re really enjoying it so far.

Maybe get something that it can be used for? So some DVDs in mandarin with optional English subtitles, so they can watch it with and without the subtitles. Some comic books would be fun as well.

Well yes - getting certificates now might be fun and inspiring - but (especially your oldest) will soon be in more formal school where grades and tests and exams will become the norm (sadly).

True. Not looking forward to that, they love school and learning at the moment, will be sad to see that get tested out of them.

Ok, will chill and let them carry on as is