Comments on: How to Learn Chinese

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:33:19 +0000

I don’t know if you remember me because I’m sure you got many questions from people who were planning on moving to China! We are finally here! We are living in Nanjing. We found a comfortable apartment and are all set up and settling back into our school day. My 15 year old daughter was able to get into Nanjing University’s language training program along with her dad, so she is covered language wise. (She’d been taking speaking lessons from Chinese Pod for about 6 months and is still ahead in all of her level 2 classes, so I recommend Chinese Pod to anyone who is interested in learning Chinese.) The girls and I are considering hiring a tutor and so I came back here to reread your recommendations. It is going to be a challenge to find someone who speaks Mandarin and not Nanjinghua in our price range. ;o/ We are really enjoying our experience here! Thanks for your advise!

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.