Ah ...a topic of our own...Chinese School to learn Mandarin for kids - any experience

[sunnywong]

I see there is now a bilingualism topic, so dreadfull hard to keep abreast of all the nooks and crannies on MN now, so I am double bagging my question here too:

Hello

For those of you who don't "know" me, I am English and Mr Wong is, surprise surprise, Chinese flavour but grew up in Australia. Family from KK.

He speaks Hakka all the time to my boys and they are fully bilungual but cannont read or write Chinese as my dh can't either, and now that ds1 is going into year 1 we think it's about time he learned Mandarin. The local Chung Wah Association runs a Chinese School on Saturday morings fro 2.5 hours with all classes in Mandarin to develop and introduce Mandarin language to kids.

My question is; do you think this is the right time to start learning Mandarin? Do you think it may be a bit of an overload? Did you go to anything similar when you were a kid and if so did it help or hinder you?

TIA

yes definitely. In fact the earlier the better before they start to develop any bias against the language - which is often inevitable as they will show a preference for the majority/community language.

But inorder for the classes to be effective, you do need to supplement the weekend Mandarin classes with an environment that encourages them to use the language outside of it - buy DVDs, books at home, and make friends with other Mandarin speaking families. Otherwise, the language will never really "come alive" and it becomes just an activity they do on Saturday mornings and they quickly start to resent it as more school. Do also try to work with the Mandarin teachers to find ways of making the language fun for them.

It is important to peck their interest in the language and make them believe that it is cool to learn it and be able to read in Chinese. From my own experience, and that of my siblings and friends, so many of us were unfortunately put off by learning Chinese either bec. it seemed irrelevant to our daily lives or was so boring and difficult.

hello pena, and thanks for the tip

I started 3 threads on this topic and in the other two the consensus was similar to what you are saying - make it fun and relevant, so I have decided that DH, who only speaks Hakka and doesn't read or write it, will learn via private tutor with ds1 and then they can start watching DH's large collectioin of Chinese movies (non gory ones of course).

That's a great idea. It then becomes something they can do together - and sets a good example for ds too that one of his parents is interested in the language. Be warned tho' that Mandarin may be hard to pick up for your DH as the tones are different from Hakka.

FMO experience, I found joining MT groups in Mandarin most helpful as it got me to feel comfortable speaking in the "kiddie version" of Mandarin (IYSWIM) and also taught me lots of childrens songs which I could sing with DS in the car. Maybe this is something you could try with your younger boy? Use it as an opportunity to discover the language together. Don't worry, I encountered lots of Mums in my MT group who had zero Chinese background but just wanted to learn more about the language with their children.

Good luck. Oh final tip. Reading story books is I find the most effective way of imparting the language. Maybe get into a routine of reading one Chinese story book a night. Once your husband masters "Hanyu Pinyin" the phonetic tool to read Chinese, he should be able to manage simple stories. Many books printed in Singapore so try googling to see if the publisher will accept mail orders.

Hey, I live in China, OH works here, and I study Chinese. I buy childrens books all the time, for reading and writing use. If you want me to send over any books/listening tapes/writing characters materials/posters, then please feel free to ask, they are cheap as chips here. sunnywong, you mention your husband's family is from KK, where abouts is that?

oooo that would be nice! I 'll certainly bear that in mind

MuckyAnthea - top name - KK = Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Eastern Malaysia.

Do you like China?

I have up and down days living here. It is a strange place to live, frustrating, crazy, yet somehow I am drawn to this!! My boyfriend works long hours and travels frequently, so my days are a mixture of studying Chinese and finding ways of fulfilling my time here. We have lived here for 4 years, getting onto 5, and the time has flown by.

But I mean what I say, the learning materials here are soooo cheap, like 20pence for a book. I have a room full of childrens books [I used to like reading them because the characters and words are basic, and the pictures are good too!!] So please, feel free to ask away. I can send you a load of stuff I have no use for, as I am onto a more intermediate level now [just studying from characters, so I have a lot of pinyin books to get rid off].

MA, I just read your tale on the other thread. You've got some decisions ahead you that's for sure.

I 'm in Perth so if you want anything Australian sent over we could do a parcel swap.

It's very very very very nice in Perth, btw. Just to tempt you to the West

Thanks!! I'm ok for now, as you have read my story, then you know its not a bed of rose living here, but like I said, you have ups and downs days same as living in any country, I just try to remain positive and take each day as it comes. Are you Australian then? I will most definately visit Perth, and my offer still stands to send stuff to you. Just shout..ok? : )

I 'm English

Hats off to you for sticking so long in such a very different culture. I don't speak hakka and am glad of it, now I know the nicest phrase for a Whitey is "red-haired ghost"

Glad you're taking the comments on the chin.

Hi,

Just wanted to say hi as I seem to have lots in common with other MNetters on this thread.

I'm english and DH is chinese from Tawau Malaysia - v.near to KK. we live in Shropshire.

Our eldest (3) DD has been attending our local Chinese school for a few months but the teacher isn't very experienced and the kids all of a similar age run riot! Am currently therefore looking for a private teacher at the mo (Mandarin).

Dh can speak both hakka and mandarin but is really undisciplined in doing so! Having been in the UK for so long he finds talking in English much easier!

Where do you live suzy?

Hi
My wife is looking to teach Mandarin to children and adults. We are in South London. Feel free to call 07904114437. She also teaches Tai Chi!