---

It is not always easy to find a community that works for your child. As we know, communal support can help foster the meaning in learning the language, but what are the factors that make it effective?

 

Allow Creativity

Language is not always learned through words. It is expressed via all senses, e.g. smells, touch, movement, gestures and facial expression, thinking, to name a few. Through games and meaningful activities, one can engage to accomplish the goal at hand, without realizing the use of language. Certainly, the most organic way to go!

 

Allow Learning For Everyone

It is easy to turn into a “teacher’s mode”, especially when the focus of the group is too heavily in learning a language. Aiming for another goal, such as a

craft activity, a social play time, or a bible study, can take this pressure off. When all, including the adults, concentrate in learning how to fold an origami, or reflecting upon a life question, then language stops being a “means to an end.” After all, what is the purpose of knowing a language but for communication and expression?

 

Allow Mistakes

One of the biggest fear factors in learning a language (or anything) is to be laughed at. Everyone needs at least one setting where he is secured to use what he has learned. The adults, especially, should be there to encourage, rather than judge, what a child has said, however improperly put. It is fine to correct, but should be in a positive, rather than in a demeaning manner. One method would be to repeat what the child has said, but with the proper vocabulary or grammar and ask for confirmation. “Is that what you mean?” Model this behavior for everyone present.

Allow All Ages

Society makes it a norm to place similar age groups to learn a subject together. It is not always about the age, but rather, the level of expertise. But research has shown that one learns best when the next advanced element is present, naturally moving him to the next stage*. When more language-competent adults or children are present, your child can learn much more naturally and quickly than if he were placed in a classroom at the same-level.

 

Allow Enjoyment!

Enjoy being together! That is really the main ingredient to helping your child succeed to the next level of expertise in the language! Fostering your love for the language is an attitude you cannot forego.

 

* scaffolding theory and constructivism by J. Brunet

When children are young, providing meaningful context in language learning is much more natural. Our daily living almost automatically serves that platform, that is, as long as we are more intentional about it. When they grow older, however, especially when schooling and peer influences start to dominate in English, children tend to stay at that level of proficiency, at best.

 

It seems more intention is in order. Subject-related content in Chinese is crucial in continuing their level of competency, especially in science, mathematics and history. Research shows that there may be cognitive costs due to language switching. But as in all extent of bilingualism, the long-term benefit may outweigh today’s pace of learning. It is a value your family needs to hold fast to while under the pressure of comparison.

 

As much time as your family can allow, in all academic content, a child will benefit to know the vocabulary equivalence in Chinese, both in terminology and in concept. Today, ample modern resources are widely available to complement our incompetency in many subjects.

 

In science, narrating simple processes such as the water cycle, photosynthesis and earthquake is a good start. Doing a nature walk will provide that backdrop of topics to discuss. In mathematics, multiplication table and fraction operations are areas to explore, even at a meal time setting: we have only two hot dogs on the table, and we have three people, how much hot dog can we eat? (All spoken in Chinese of course!) Playing card games such as Uno in Chinese can be another fun way to practice numeracy. (You may also make up many math games using the Uno cards.) For history, a family dinner table discussion over current events, political movement, or the past can be more wholesome and effective than an actual lesson.

 

We must be aware that teaching academic content does not need to be all didactic. It can continue to be meaningful and fun, as it used to be when the children are younger. The key is your intention and persistence. Fostering curiosity and imagination in a real context is still key to teaching the habit of lifetime learning.