3 Ways to Get Your Child Interested in Chinese

Learning new things is always a challenge - especially a language such as Chinese, where lots of memorization is required.

If your child is getting discouraged from the struggle, here are 3 ways you can help make Chinese fun and relevant for your kid.

1. Read Books or Watch Chinese Media Together

Exposure is key to language learning, so use the power of stories to get your child engaged.

Read a Chinese book to your kid. Regular read-alouds and read-alongs boost speaking skills by introducing a new topics and vocabulary. To make the come alive, you can try to make funny voices, or be expressive and active to make the story come alive. For inspiration, here are some examples of dynamic storytelling on youtube:

• Bedtime stories compilation

• Chinese Fairy Tales

• Virtual Story Time with Ms Susan

Other ways include introducing TV shows to your child, playing music and audiobooks in the car, or doing hands-on activities. Some resources include:

• Popular chinese cartoons for learning

• Fun hands-on activities for young children

• Chinese songs for kids

2. Speak Chinese with your Child

People are social creatures. Your child is going to be far more invested and motivated to communicate with a live person rather than a book or computer program.

As a start, pick one or two hours a week, for both parents to speak in Chinese exclusively at home. If your kid speaks to you in English, just continue the conversation in Chinese. Start with a few hours a day, and gradually increase the duration and frequency you speak Chinese.

Remember: do be persistent! It takes time and patience to get used to interactions in a new and unfamiliar language.

3. Do activities in Chinese

Bring your child to the market or the store, and encourage him / her to use Chinese in simple interactions with people.

You can also look for music lessons, art classes or sports where the instructors and peers speak in Chinese. Learning Chinese through natural conversation in these settings will be more natural and interesting than plowing through a textbook!