Teaching Chinese at Home

[kids_r_innocent]

Dear Tamarind,


Oh... my girl has actually been reading to me some of those recommended books in your list prior to starting her on those chapter books.

Well, i have the same sentiments as you, and perhaps will get her to read other books first then so as not to pressurise her too.

:thankyou:

[eskimo]

like to ask mummies who have ordered from dangdang before:


1. What was the actual time frame from the time the order was confirmed to be shipped from china to the time it arrives at your doorstep?

2. Will the parcel be delivered by singpost or by private courier? If its singpost, is it left in our mailbox?

[kids_r_innocent]

eskimo:

like to ask mummies who have ordered from dangdang before:


1. What was the actual time frame from the time the order was confirmed to be shipped from china to the time it arrives at your doorstep?

2. Will the parcel be delivered by singpost or by private courier? If its singpost, is it left in our mailbox?

Hi eskimo,

My previous experiences were abt 5-6wks (if credit card verification goes smooth with dangdang) and the parcel will be delivered by singpost speedpost to our doorstep.

[eskimo]

kids_r_innocent:

Hi eskimo,

My previous experiences were abt 5-6wks (if credit card verification goes smooth with dangdang) and the parcel will be delivered by singpost speedpost to our doorstep.

Hi Kids_r_innocent,

Thanks much for the reply.

I have one more question, anyone ordered DVDs before? Any problems with the delivery?

[HyperKiasu]

tamarind:

Dear all,

I have compiled the list of wonderful Chinese story books in my home library here :

http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-raise-bilingual-child.html

I am also sharing my experience teaching Chinese at home. Please feel free to view and comment.

I will be adding more books to this list in the future.

Hi, tamarind,

your sharing spree has spurred my shopping spree....

i notice most of the books are translated from non-english version... perhaps you also think we better let kids read original ones if it is writen in english?

btw, 三毛流浪记 not in your list. May i know what is your concern or comment? I read the online comments, quite mixed....
http://product.dangdang.com/product.aspx?product_id=352896&ref=product-0-A

thanks

[ccgoh]

tamarind:

Hi ccgoh,

My girl can guess the meaning of the word from the context of the story. She has a very good understanding of what she is reading, so I don't explain the meaning of word unless she asks me too. In fact, when I was a student, I also read Chinese books extensively, and I don't check the dictionary for every word that I don't know. The most important thing is for the child to enjoy the story, don't worry about whether the child can remember every word. A child who reads 1000 words every day will certainly read the same words again.

I have written about how to buy the Si Wu Kuai Du series of books in this page :
http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2009/12/teaching-chinese-at-home.html

Please read my blog to understand more about the books. These books may not be suitable for every parent, but a good Chinese tutor will definitely be able to make good use of these books.

Hi Tamarind,

Thanks once again! You are really a life-saver! :celebrate:

[tamarind]

HyperKiasu:

tamarind:

Dear all,

I have compiled the list of wonderful Chinese story books in my home library here :

http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-raise-bilingual-child.html

I am also sharing my experience teaching Chinese at home. Please feel free to view and comment.

I will be adding more books to this list in the future.

Hi, tamarind,

your sharing spree has spurred my shopping spree....

i notice most of the books are translated from non-english version... perhaps you also think we better let kids read original ones if it is writen in english?

btw, 三毛流浪记 not in your list. May i know what is your concern or comment? I read the online comments, quite mixed....
http://product.dangdang.com/product.aspx?product_id=352896&ref=product-0-A

thanks

HyperKiasu,
Actually the majority of the books are translated from Japanese. I love children's books written by Japanese authors, these books always teach kids to be hardworking, polite, helpful and considerate to others. The illustrations are always lovely, and the books are full of original ideas. Personally I feel that no Chinese authors can compare with them.

Other books are either translated from French, like 不一样的卡梅拉, or from German like 我和小姐姐克拉拉.

There are only a few books that are translated from English. I do think that it is better for our kids to read the books in their original English version. I will first search for the original version, if I cannot find them, I will just buy the Chinese version.

I am really happy that my kids are now exposed wonderful children's classics from all over the world, not just from UK, USA and China. I want my kids to read books not only to learn the language, I think that wonderful books can also improve their imagination. Creative writing is not only about writing style, substance is most important.

I have been reading many reviews on dangdang.com. Many parents in China think that Chinese authors cannot write as well as authors from Japan or the West.

As for 三毛流浪记, personally I do not like the illustrations and the stories, that's why I did not buy them. I never liked 三毛 when I was a child, I grew up reading Japanese manga. I find the stories of 三毛 very depressing. It is not that I don't want to expose my kids to hardship and the cruelty of life. But I like this book much better :

佐贺的超级阿嬷（亲子共读版）

This book is about a young boy living with his grandmother who was extremely poor, in Japan right after the war. Even though life was very tough, they still lived everyday with hope : 无论多么难，都要笑着活下去！This is a wonderful book, highly recommended for all parents and kids.

This is only a personal opinion, other parents who have bought 三毛 books are welcome to give your comments.

[HyperKiasu]

Hi, tamarind,


thanks for your reply.

ya, according to one of my friend who has read quite a lot of Japanese author’s books, Japanese stories are more 细腻. And chinese writers dun have that kind of 童心 to write stuff that can appeal to very young readers…

I have ordered many books prior to your new update. there is abt another 2 wks for the shipment (by sea, as i ordered too many) to arrive. will include your new recommendations in next round purchase…

think many parents did miss those wonderful books in ur list when we were young (at our time, there were not so many translation done). thus this is also a good read for what we have missed for so many years…

[tamarind]

HyperKiasu:

think many parents did miss those wonderful books in ur list when we were young (at our time, there were not so many translation done). thus this is also a good read for what we have missed for so many years...

HyperKiasu,
Yes you are right, I bought all these books not only for my kids, I love to read them too. When I received new books, I always read them first

[Blobbi]

:thankyou:


Thanks so much, Tamarind!! You're such a great resource!

:celebrate: Here's to you and your kids!!