Teaching Chinese at Home

[tamarind]

Brenda10:

Hi, just to share that now DD is on no. 4 book of this 天龙八部 comics (Total 21 books) .


The story and the words are much more complicating than the 笑傲江湖 that she had read.

I am glad that she said the books are interesting and she has not problem to carry on.

The only problem is the font of the word is about half of the CL newspaper font size, as such can only limit her to one day one book in order not to affect her eye sight.

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Hi Brenda,
Thanks for sharing ! I looked through a copy of the comics in the library and it looks really exciting.

However, since I have already read all of the original novels by 金庸, nothing can compare with the originals. However, these comic books are certainly a very good introduction because I don't think any local primary school kids can read the original novels

[tamarind]

phtthp:

hi Brenda10,


if possible, try to expose yr child to read Chinese novels / comics that avoid & do not touch on scenes of violence. Because the type of books which you expose your child to read subconsciously ... pass down character moulding values unconsciously.

example:
when your child reads the above pictured book (example), it advocates to the young kid that ... it is all right to kill. Look at those pictures depicting expressions of angry men - his piercing angry fiery eyes staring hard at you, or the sharp killing instruments flashing around to order kill, kill, kill, go and die, die, die ... leading to destruction. We hate to recall those mass destruction murderous scenes of September 11, Twin Tower America World Trade Centre.

diversify your child's attention somewhr else more meaningful (still can be Chinese novels / comics). example: instead of destroy life - prolong life, preserve life. Because life is so precious, so vulnerable, so short temporary on earth ! Sorry, no offence. Just that i dun want your child's mind think of killing.

fyi - there is this Chinese novel entitled Da Chang Jin (volumes 1 and 2). Relatively easy for primary school kids to read. can purchase at $3 per book (last year Popular bookfair price). Usually can see them lying around at the bookfair.

Hi phtthp,
I totally agree with you that we should avoid exposing young kids to violence. I don't even like my kids watching Kungfu Panda and Tom and Jerry

However, just a note about the comics that Brenda has shared with us. These are based on a set of original novels by Jin Yong which are widely regarded as the best Chinese novels ever written in modern times. Almost every Chinese in China from professors to CEOs to taxi drivers have probably read his novels. Jin Yong's novels are not only exciting, they advocate all the good values like filial piety, loyalty to friends and nation, honesty, integrity, etc. All the bad guys always get what they deserve. In fact, I think I learn most of my good values from his books. Kids who are mature enough should definitely read these books. My aim is to get both my kids to read his books latest by secondary school.

[Brenda10]

tamarind:

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for sharing ! I looked through a copy of the comics in the library and it looks really exciting.

However, since I have already read all of the original novels by 金庸, nothing can compare with the originals. However, these comic books are certainly a very good introduction because I don't think any local primary school kids can read the original novels

Hi Tamarind

Yes, I agree is quite difficult for DD to read the original Novel at her current standard. As such the comics serve as the introduction and we plan to watch the 天龙八部电视剧 after completed the comics just like what we have done for 笑傲江湖电视剧 immediately after the series of comics.

This help DD to understand and remember the story better and I guess she will never forget 人物 like 岳不群，令孤冲，东方不败，任盈盈 etc

Also, she does write down words or phrase that she likes just like 笑意盎然，觊觎 etc.

Think now is really a best timing for us to read/watch all these 武侠故事 before she goes into secondary one next year.

[tamarind]

Hi Brenda,

Even secondary kids nowadays will find the original novels very difficult to read, especially those who study Chinese only by doing assessment books and reading model compositions. From your examples, the words in the comics are very challenging. Comic books are definitely a very good way to make a child understand the plot which is very complicated.

[Brenda10]

tamarind:

Hi Brenda,

Even secondary kids nowadays will find the original novels very difficult to read, especially those who study Chinese only by doing assessment books and reading model compositions. From your examples, the words in the comics are very challenging. Comic books are definitely a very good way to make a child understand the plot which is very complicated.

Hi Tamarind,

In fact, the words that used in the comics 天龙八部 are not easy to understand. As such, the comics are classified under NLB adult section

I personally find this story is much more complicating than other 金庸 novel.

However, with the help of 天龙八部电视剧, I think DD will able to know the story more in depth.

[pixiedust]

phtthp:

... Because the type of books which you expose your child to read subconsciously ... pass down character moulding values unconsciously....diversify your child's attention somewhr else more meaningful (still can be Chinese novels / comics). example: instead of destroy life - prolong life, preserve life. Because life is so precious, so vulnerable, so short temporary on earth ! Sorry, no offence. Just that i dun want your child's mind think of killing.

:goodpost: I agree with phtthp. Besides fighting and killing, I don't agree with exposing children to themes of revenge, castration, rape regardless if the bad guys come to a sorry end or not. Especially when the children are at the age of growing into teens and adults. Brenda, no offence intended too, just my 2cents worth.

[tamarind]

There is nothing about rape in the set of comic books that brenda mentioned.

As for revenge, this is the main theme of kungfu panda and many parents still bring their kids to watch the movie. Castration is implied but never described in 笑傲江湖，and it is definitely not the main theme, it is very briefly mentioned in words that kids may not even understand. Note that there are revenge and seduction scenes in 三国, 水浒传 and even 西游记.

[tamarind]

I was crazy about 天龙八部 when I read it in secondary school, could only understand about 80% of the words, but I got so hooked. I would have loved the comics too back then.

Brenda10:

tamarind:

Hi Brenda,
Even secondary kids nowadays will find the original novels very difficult to read, especially those who study Chinese only by doing assessment books and reading model compositions. From your examples, the words in the comics are very challenging. Comic books are definitely a very good way to make a child understand the plot which is very complicated.

Hi Tamarind,

In fact, the words that used in the comics 天龙八部 are not easy to understand. As such, the comics are classified under NLB adult section

I personally find this story is much more complicating than other 金庸 novel.

However, with the help of 天龙八部电视剧, I think DD will able to know the story more in depth.

[Brenda10]

Hi, some update of the 2nd order that I have experience with Peeka.


After the down payment, Peeka notified me that the item was out of stock and request me to change to other item and so happen I have just placed the 3rd order and not yet make the down payment, as such I request them to off set the amount with the 3rd order and they done it instantly by transfer the items in 3rd order to 2nd order and cancel the 3rd order.

[tamarind]

Brenda10:

Hi, some update of the 2nd order that I have experience with Peeka.


After the down payment, Peeka notified me that the item was out of stock and request me to change to other item and so happen I have just placed the 3rd order and not yet make the down payment, as such I request them to off set the amount with the 3rd order and they done it instantly by transfer the items in 3rd order to 2nd order and cancel the 3rd order.

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for the update.

I have also asked peeka to change the shipping method for me before. I chose the 7 day shipping at first then later realized that the books may be very heavy and requested that peeka changed to economy shipping before the books were received in China. They readily changed for me.