Cantonese playgroup/mums

[luckyjames]

Hi, I live in E17 and am interested in taking my son to a Cantonese speaking playgroup or meet up with other mums who speak Cantonese. My son understands Cantonese but doesn't really speak much of it. My partner is English therefore, English is our main language at home. I can drive so don't mind travelling a little.

Hi luckyjames,
I would love to meet other Cantonese speaking mums too. I live in Greenwich, have a 14 months daughter, expecting my second baby in mid-April. My husband is BBC, so English is the main language at home as well. I would like my babies to join some Chinese play groups as well, but can't find any in our area. How old is your son? I heard you can start Chinese School when they are 4.
J

I have found a web site selling Chinese story books and other learning materials, thought I should share with you. I found it quite hard to find Chinese children books in UK, do you have any recommendations?
J

Charing Cross library has a decent collection of Chinese books. I also buy them from amazon.cn and some Taiwanese websites (traditional scripts though, not simplified). But definitely check out Charing Cross library. One can only buy that many books before running out of shelf space!

Thank you UptoapointLordcopper.

Just wanted to let everyone know, I've set up a Cantonese playgroup in central London where we sing a few nursery rhymes, play games and encourage the kids to make Cantonese speaking friends. Email me [email protected] if you want more details.

We've just set up a website with a bit more information on it - have a look at www.playcantonese.com

Hi All,

I speak cantonese and I have a 4 months old baby boy. I live in Greenwich and would love to meet other Mums and babies. Anyone want to meet in Greenwich area?

Cyn

Hi Cynson,

I live in SE London too and am expecting any day now and would be interested in meeting up.

JW888 can you share the website selling Chinese children books? I'm not in london so charing cross library is a bit far to borrow books from.

lilham - I've bought books from amazon.cn (amazing service), and this Taiwanese bookshop though it involves faxing my credit card details to them - they are quick though. I've seen Xihaha books once when they set up a stall at Charing Cross library, and I've seen bilingual books bought from Mantra Lingua in our local library, though personally I don't like bilingual books...

Ty for the links. I've tried to get my parents in HK to send me stuff but they are very negative about bilingualism. They think learning Chinese is a waste of time . They are more positive about mandarin (in terms of usefulness) but neither me or them speak it!

Lilham - pah to usefulness. There is a whole new world out there in a different language. We do the Monkey king story, the romance of the three kingdoms, the mythologies, the philosophies, the insults . It is so much fun. Go for it!

lilham, my sister had a friend like that. He grew up in Scotland and his parents basically refused point blank to teach them any Cantonese growing up as they thought that it would hinder his English learning ability. Now that he's an adult, he REALLY wishes his parents had taught him some Cantonese!

My parents spoke mostly Cantonese to me at home and the English side took care of itself.

Ah Monkey King (Mah Lo Wong Dai) rules!

We chose our baby's Chinese name today as well. :)

Hi all,

Regarding books, I've emailed the mailer list for PlayCantonese about an offer I negotiated with this company: www.alien-languages.com. If you order through me before 1st Dec you can have 10% off and I'll pick up the books from their site and you can pick them up from Central London, Birmingham or Huddersfield. Email me at [email protected] with orders / questions.

My DH doesn't speak chinese so English will never be a problem. It'll be her community and family language. She's got a chinese name which I use with her . UptoapointLordCopper that's the kind of stories I'd love to read to my DD one day. The mythologies, the 'period dramas', etc.

I use DSs Chinese names too (middle names). Nobody seems to be surprised by that.