Advice, please! The best way for learning a new foreign language!

[Janelikey]

As a working mum, I've gradually learned about the advantages of mastering more than one foreign language. I'd like to keep my boy active in learning more language skills. So, could anybody be kindly offer me some advice about learning mandarin for kids? Signing up for classes at institutions, learning through online activities or hiring a tutor, which way is the most effective?

It's about suitability I guess. Perhaps tell us more about your boy

Hello, thank you for your kindly reply. My boy is too shy to communicate with other kids. So I'd like to expose him to an open-minded culture. Do you have any recommendation?

If he's too shy to speak to other children why do you think he will cope with learning a foreign language? Is he already learning another language? How's that going?

In my experience, as a shy introvert who has spent years trying to learn foreign languages, unless you are naturally chatty in your mother tongue then you're going to struggle to become competent speaking in another language. Reading, writing and listening comprehension are easier to master but it's frustrating when your oral skills are floundering behind because you're naturally reticent. Even worse when you're a self-conscious child or teen. That's my experience anyway, although I may be projecting too much on your son!

What are you realistically expecting him to achieve? If it's to be able to speak it then he'll definitely need classes, either group or one to one. If it's just for fun and to expose him to the language then online resources would probably be sufficient.

Are you going to be learning too?

There are so many wonderful resources available online to support language learning, and these really help. However, in my opinion you do need to have lessons or classes, as you do need plenty of practice speaking and writing the the language yourself, and you need someone to correct you and to be able to answer questions.

Obviously if you have a class near where you live, that is ideal. It I believe that there is a website that does language learning via Skype, but I’m afraid I can’t remember the name.