Situation #4.1: English and Chinese are very different languages. I am not sure the same theories can be applied to both languages.Reality: It is true that English and Chinese differ vastly in structure, grammar and voice. Chinese language learning has mostly been analyzed via Western language acquisition theories and is very poorly understood. Modern-day Chinese language teaching is mostly implemented using the traditional method, relying heavily on the use of textbooks, passive learning with rote memorization and emphasis on grammar. More research on Chinese acquisition needs to be in place, both for native and non-native speakers.However, Chinese is still a language and children are still people. We can learn much nonetheless from cross-lingual theories of language acquisition and children development. We can adopt up-to-date approaches that are effective for teaching foreign-born children today even if the language is different. The mechanics of both English and Chinese are quite different, but this does not influence as much the extent to which your child can acquire both languages simultaneously. What matters the most, rather, is the value you and your child’s society at large place on English and Chinese in turn. That has direct correlation on how your child will regard prestige and power on which language is worth his time and effort.

Situation #3.6: My child already goes to Chinese school, and she knows Chinese, but I don’t understand why she doesn’t use it outside of class.Reality: A language needs to be meaningful in life to be used. If there is no immediate usage, the child would naturally drop using it altogether. It is very desirable, and almost imperative, that the family should be learning and using the language together to help make the language a fact of life. At an early age, a child may accept very satisfactorily the bond and affection associated with the home language. As she grows older, she may need more formal explanations, and that is where your original mission of the necessity to learn the home language comes to place. It emphasizes the importance and the value you place on her learning the language.

You may communicate your concern with her Chinese school teacher, and work with the school to see how they can help. The issue is definitely urgent and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. A child needs outside-of-classroom experience to take full advantage of all that she is learning from the school. Otherwise, the progress will bound to be very slow and dissatisfactory for both of you. The process may turn dull and learning Chinese will eventually become just another academic subject.