Frequently Asked Questions
This section is continually being updated. If you have a question or information you would like to share, please let us know through our Contact page.
How can I teach my child Chinese when I speak limited/no Chinese?
Any Chinese language skills you have is a great start for your child. Your child's vocabulary will be quite simple in the beginning and as he grows, so will your language skills.
And, don't worry about your less than perfect grammar, or not finding the exact word. You are still providing priceless language foundation for your child that can be 'polished' by native speakers later in life.
Most parents find it useful to keep a dictionary nearby. Mine is in the kitchen. I also utilize online dictionaries as they offer pronunciation guides. Here is the one I use MDBG Chinese-English dictionary. If you have no Chinese language skills at all, you have several options:
- Hire a Chinese caretaker.
- Enroll your child in a Chinese language program.
- Join a Chinese language playgroup.
- Learn Chinese with your child. You can start with basic DVDs, online games, and books. Tutors are even available online.
In either scenario, the more access your child has to environments and materials that teach Chinese, the more likely he will pick up the language.
What are the advantages of learning Chinese?*
Aside from the obvious advantage of being able to speak more than one language, it impacts your child positively in the sense of self esteem, future job opportunities and ability to live and travel abroad. Additionally, countless studies show that both analytical, social and literacy skills are improved when growing up with several languages. Here you can take a look at both the pros and cons (yes, there are some cons too, but probably not the one's you'd think.)
When is the best time to start?
Now! Seriously, the sooner you get going the better. There are advantages and disadvantages at every age. Younger learners are better at achieving native accent while older kids have better study skills and can acquire more language faster. It's never too late to start.
What can I do when my child refuses to speak Chinese (the minority language)?*
What it really means is that the child has no perceived need for the language. So, being consistent with your language system and providing enough minority language interaction (i.e. Chinese) helps create that need for the language. These pointers should get your child back on track again, and more here for motivating older kids.
I don't spend enough time with my child for her to learn Chinese (my language).*
Many parents feel that way, but it is not all quantity. Quality matters too. Make the most of what time you have, and use these ideas to
maximize the time you do have. If you still want more 'quantity', these tips provide several ways to find more language interaction that you may not have thought of.
Is it really a good idea to join an immersion school or program?*
Certainly -- if you are lucky enough to have either a daycare, pre-school or school in your language where you live, take the opportunity. It is astonishing how much it helps your child develop her minority language. Here is what you can expect from immersion programs.
Just curious, what are the most common mistakes parents make?*
The number one mistake is discouragement. Seriously, many parents think they can't succeed if their children 'just understands' the second language and don't speak it. Passive understanding of a language is tremendously overlooked, and can easily be turned into active language use later in life. The other common mistakes are here.
*From Multilingual Children's Association. They have an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions on raising kids bilingually.
