Learning Chinese: Ways and Tips

Chinese enrichment classes in Singapore

Schools teach children different topics form several subjects in school, mainly Math and Science. However, some other lessons such as Chinese language are also offered. In Singapore, schools use different languages in their curriculum. Some are all-English, all-Mandarin, and some are bilingual. However, sometimes parents still enrol their children to enrichment classes in order for their children to have a better grasp of a certain language, but today we are going to focus on the Chinese language. For enrichment classes for children of all ages, from 6 months to 12 years, you can go to Chinese enrichment classes at Chengzhu

There are many programmes, from a Mandarin kindergarten to holiday programmes. If you are serious about your child mastering the Chinese language you should definitely check them out.  Now, let us first see some of the best tuition and enrichment centres in Singapore for every age.  Sassy Mama will tell us about it.

Best Tuition and Enrichment Centres in Singapore for Every Age

We’ve rounded up the best tuition and enrichment centres in Singapore to foster a love of learning in your little ones! Did you know tuition is a billion dollar industry in Singapore, mama?! Blame it on kiasu parenting, blame it on an unrelenting academic culture, or blame it on an unparalleled commitment to learning and academic excellence — whatever the reason, there are now more than 600 tuition centres registered with the Ministry of Education — and that doesn’t even include small-scale home tutors. “Tuition” and “Enrichment” can mean very different things to different people. Perhaps your child is struggling in a particular subject and needs help keeping up. Perhaps you want to make sure your little one is well-prepared for the rigors of primary school. Or perhaps you just want your tiny tot to find learning fun and enjoyable — believe it or not there are plenty of programs out there for toddlers (and even babies) that focus mostly on singing, dancing, arts and creative expression rather than rote learning. Read more here If we are trying to look for the best tuition and enrichment centre for our children in Singapore, we have already provided some above for you to choose from. Their location and official websites are already provided for your convenience. Now, let us talk about 10 ways your kids can love Chinese by the Contributors of Singapore Motherhood. 10 Ways your Kids can Love Chinese Learning Chinese does not have to be dry or difficult. The literacy experts at KidStartNow, a Chinese enrichment school, share 10 ways to help your kids start loving Chinese.

Be patient and encouraging

The first and most important tip: realising that getting comfortable with Chinese takes time, especially if your kid currently lacks confidence in Chinese. The process of helping your kid love learning Chinese will takes months, not weeks. So when your child refuses to read a Chinese book or speak Mandarin at the start, do not worry or express displeasure as this is normal. Instead, praise your kid for baby steps (e.g. saying a word in Chinese) and encourage him or her to keep on trying.

Read Chinese books with your kids

Reading helps kids develop a love for languages and is an important step to helping them become effectively bilingual and confident Mandarin speakers. Select wholesome and age appropriate books – good quality picture books help pique interest in younger kids, while a strong plot will keep older kids enthralled.  Read more here. Being patient is really important. We all know that learning a language is difficult that is why we should encourage and help them instead of being impatient.

When your children reach primary education, a different approach will be used in teaching the Chinese language. School Bag will tell us about it and will also give us tips on how parents could support their children.

How Parents Can Support Their Children In The Learning of Chinese Language in Primary Schools

In primary school, your child will be taught the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition, there will be an emphasis on spoken and written interaction skills. A differentiated approach has been adopted in primary schools to cater to the needs of children with varying language abilities. Interesting instructional materials and activities are used to engage your child in the learning of the Chinese Language. As a parent, you can help your child by adopting a positive attitude towards learning Chinese Language and providing a conducive home environment to use the language. Here are some tips on how you can support your child’s learning:

Interact with your child in Mandarin and encourage the child to verbalise his/her thoughts in Chinese Language. Be nurturing and provide support and encouragement along the way. This will boost your child’s confidence in using the language. Read more here.

One of the tips provided above is to interact with your children using the Chinese language and letting them speak their mind using the Chinese language as well. In this manner, learning would be easier and mastering would be faster. Choosing the best enrichment class would also be a big help because a big part of their learning happens in school. Parents should be prepared and involved throughout the learning of their children.