Learning Chinese (Primary/Preschool)

[chenlaoshi]

https://scontent.fsin1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60808298_2072770939686745_7886218687475089408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin1-1.fna&oh=d42f56fad1f1823ee4e89ff470b54bcc&oe=5D56D009\">

[deardear07]

chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"1909962\" time=\"1557631117\" user_id=\"162894:

mycutebaby\" post_id=\"1909869\" time=\"1557578218\" user_id=\"177575:

How to encourage reading of Chinese storybooks? My dd is doing relatively well in Chinese, thanks to her tutor. Yet until now, although she loves reading English storybooks, she is still very reluctant to read Chinese storybooks. I have tried introducing all kinds of books to her but it didn’t seem to work. I am even going to the extent of limiting her time for English books to have silent reading time for Chinese books.

Hi mycutebaby,

You can check out Dudu Town (https://dudu.town/product-tour/students-at-home)

is this ebook really useful? related to sch text/ important words that every level has to know?

[chenlaoshi]

deardear07\" post_id=\"1912510\" time=\"1559096411\" user_id=\"1429:

chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"1909962\" time=\"1557631117\" user_id=\"162894:

[quote=mycutebaby post_id=1909869 time=1557578218 user_id=177575]How to encourage reading of Chinese storybooks? My dd is doing relatively well in Chinese, thanks to her tutor. Yet until now, although she loves reading English storybooks, she is still very reluctant to read Chinese storybooks. I have tried introducing all kinds of books to her but it didn’t seem to work. I am even going to the extent of limiting her time for English books to have silent reading time for Chinese books.

Hi mycutebaby,

You can check out Dudu Town (https://dudu.town/product-tour/students-at-home)

is this ebook really useful? related to sch text/ important words that every level has to know?[/quote]deardear07,

Yes inclusive of syllabus text (in fact, kid will definitely pick up other phrases and nouns), but not in the dull matter as in Chapter 1's words all in 1 story (like the way passages in textbook are written).

As with most learning have to make conscientious effort to make the most out of the learning, e.g. consistency in reading (in terms of frequency/use of the tool), maximizing the functions and features and even making use of the story to discuss about morale of story and learning points with kids - useful for both compre and oral.

You can take a look at some examples at their https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx78YNtag5KEh-yTxtahXZQ and https://www.instagram.com/dudu_storyart/

In comparison to the flash animations from EZhiShi, this is definitely much better.

[Candy Goh]

https://postimg.cc/mcdbtbxw

[cheryl12345]

Dear mummies

Do you have any feedback on the P1 Chinese speech n drama at SHHK? http://www.shhkact.com.sg/

My DS will be in p1 next year. We seldom speak chinese at home, thus thinking of sending him there so he can converse more in chinese . Also wondering if the course will be too difficult for him as he can’t really say a proper chinese sentence (eg. He will mix English and Chinese in the sentence).

Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[6thisnthat9]

Average children will have no problem learning Chinese from P1 onwards without prior knowledge, my children have proven this; reading and writing, and without tuition at all.


The difficult part for us is like you say, speaking the language. shhkact does not tackle chinese oral in school directly though. So do not expect that you will see results in a short time. But through using the language there, my children are more confident and comfortable to use the language. Accordingly to school teachers, my chatty one now could score just below top tier in oral.

[Jasyn]

I’m looking for Chinese tuition centre for my P5 girl as her results always fluctuate. Any recommendation with small class size? Tried home tuition before but it doesn’t seem to help us much as she finds it boring. Thanks

[glitterpen]

Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don’t speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I’m coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I’m going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I’m not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.

[zac's mum]

glitterpen\" post_id=\"2031939\" time=\"1627316678\" user_id=\"187525:

Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don't speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I'm coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I'm going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I'm not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.

Try searching YouTube kids for the Mandarin version of your kids’ fav cartoons.

Dora the Explorer has bilingual (Mandarin-English) versions. There is also Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in Mandarin.

[SG_KP1]

glitterpen\" post_id=\"2031939\" time=\"1627316678\" user_id=\"187525:

Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don't speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I'm coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I'm going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I'm not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.

I think there are a few different issues here. First, if you want CL in school to be easy for them (i.e. score well), speaking as much Chinese as possible at home is a huge help. Obviously there is a tradeoff with their English language development and being able to effectively communicate with them. But regardless of which type of school they go to, most of the communications will be in English and this is the language that they will default to with the vast majority of their peers. Hence, anything you can do to get them more exposure to Chinese will be a boost.

Second, I know you are not there yet but as it relates to school work try to avoid the situation where CL is viewed as the \"worst subject\" or homework/revision must be done because of the gap vs. other subjects. No one (including adults) likes doing things they are \"bad\" at. Instead, try to get them to focus on and take joy in improving any little bit they can. Even if CL is still the lowest scoring subject, their mindset will be quite different (i.e. they may like the challenge of improving and enjoy the process of learning).

Lastly, some of the cartoons mentioned or movies can be a good way to get them interested. Probably not possible right now with COVID but perhaps find some similar aged friends that are in the same spot. If they can meet up to watch Chinese movies or play Chinese games, perhaps it will be more fun for them than \"lessons\" (preschool/kindergarten, tuition, or whatever). I don't know that there's really a magic set of books or materials to get them interested and would say a positive attitude/environment from all parties involved will have a bigger impact. That being said, you could see if the most basic materials from the following website are suitable for your older child. I think most schools are using some of these materials and the eZhishi platform in primary school.

https://www.ezhishi.net/Contents/Magazines_reading_h.html

Good luck, it is not easy.