Comments on: How to Learn Chinese

By: gita

gita — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:56:31 +0000

Hi
I am gita, I am from Indonesia and I’ve just moved to china 3 months ago. We do HomeSchooling too and curious how to learn chinese without sending our kids to school. This blog answer that question…
thank u for your sharing. My blog is written in Bahasa Indonesia, maybe you would not understand it. It tells about our homeschooling journey and our life in China…keep sharing ! ^_^

By: Renee in BC

Renee in BC — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:10:20 +0000

This is a great post re language learning (I did the color/tone flashcards while learning Thai), getting tutors to play rather than doing lessons, and difference in Chinese education/parenting style. Before we started homeschooling, my DD went to a private school in Canada with lots of Chinese students. They were never ever available for play dates or birthday parties because of all the lessons. Every day, one or two lessons.

Great blog overall. I love reading about your adventures in China.

Running late, gotta go, but as I said, great post.

Cheers!
Renee (expat homeschooling mum to one 9-yr-old daughter)

By: Christina H

Christina H — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:03:14 +0000

We’re learning to teach the Chinese kids how to play. But at the moment, I’m trying to teach MY TUTOR how to just relax and go with the flow. Last week she (playfully, but none the less) threatened to hit me if I got answers wrong the next time. Somehow, this just isn’t the encouragement I need to learn! I’m doing online flashcards and well, making progress but at times I think I just sound like a monkey:)

By: Sean@mandarin class

Sean@mandarin class — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:53:27 +0000

Everything about the educational system and child rearing are different with China and Western cultures. I am a private English teacher in China and I feel sorry for Chinese kids sometimes.

Because of the one child policy, with each one young child that I teach there are 6 other adults (Mom, Dad, Mom’s mom, Mom’s dad, Dad’s mom, Dad’s dad). Some of these kids have Violin, Piano, English, Math and Chinese lessons in addition to their regular classes at school.

I can remember one Chinese kid in particular who had two different lessons every night 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. He had lessons all weekend long.

Some Chinese kids have no idea what it means to “play”. Their parents just don’t comprehend the idea of “play” having any value for a young child.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:05:31 +0000

@Rachel — Yeah, the educational system and child rearing customs (shoot, the entire culture!) is so very different from ours. Their idea of education is a very strict and formal venture. Play is silly and fruitless. Sad. Sprite often encounters children who simply don’t know how to play — imaginative, creative play. YOUR children will never lack that ability, Rachel.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:23:33 +0000

It is fascinating to me how you had to convince them to play to teach a three year old. And I loved how you used native speakers! Sprite seems to have such a full life! .-= Rachel´s last blog ..Kid-Friendly Homemade Granola Bars =-.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:10:02 +0000

@Sandy — Yes, you have to make logical connections for YOU. It matters not if others understand the connections.

By: Sandy Fox

Sandy Fox — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:16:40 +0000

I love this idea of colors for tones! I am very visual and that might really help me! The Sinosplice link was great also! Now to think about what color goes with what tone! .-= Sandy Fox´s last blog ..Christmas in China =-.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:29:59 +0000

@Katie — We generally do 3 hour lessons for Sprite. With play tutoring, it’s not too long. That time can include many different activities — hands on play, crafts, outdoor time, reading books, whatever! You can probably also get some very basic preschool worksheet type activities that have lots of images and can be used in any language.

If your child is tired of it quickly, definitely switch tutors. I personally think that attitude is a huge factor in learning. I always wanted my daughter to think, “Yah! The teacher is here!” When that excitement wasn’t there, I tried to first re-train the teacher and then if that didn’t work, let her go. I don’t know if it’s so much a matter of age, but younger people may be easier to mold and more open to Western ways of education. I have converted many a young girl over to our encouraging, fun ways of learning. I wish you the best.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:08:35 +0000

Thank you for this! We’re just trying to start this with our 4 year old, but it has been going horribly so far! I think we have the wrong sort of tutor. She’s a woman in her 50′s and expects way too much out of our daughter and lectures her, etc… Our daughter doesn’t want much to do with her. I think we need someone younger who will just get down and play with her. How long of a time would you suggest leaving a toddler with the tutor? We were trying 2 hours, but our daughter gets so tired of it after an hour or so. I’ve been so frustrated about the whole thing so far!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Our trip~ =-.