In recent years, learning Chinese has become increasingly popular among Western families, recognizing its importance in a globalized society. As a Chinese teacher, I have witnessed this trend firsthand with students like Samuel, an 8-year-old boy from New York. His parents, Sara and Jamie, who work in the financial industry, understand the significance of Chinese language and culture in their field. They wanted Samuel to learn Chinese to adapt to the global business environment and prepare for his future career.
Seeking a convenient and accessible way for their son Samuel to learn Chinese, Sara, and Jamie first turned to online Chinese learning apps. These platforms offered a diverse array of educational materials, including pinyin, Chinese characters, vocabulary, grammar, and reading resources. The couple believed that these apps could provide Samuel with a comprehensive learning experience, covering all aspects of the Chinese language.
However, they soon encountered significant challenges. Sara expressed her concerns, saying, “Samuel was happy when he first started using the apps to learn, but after a while, he became impatient. Apps typically lack real interaction and social environments, and I worry that nobody corrects his pronunciation and grammar errors.” Realizing the limitations of app-based learning, they decided to explore online one-on-one teaching with a native Chinese teacher.
After Sara discovered my services during her online search, we worked together to devise a tailored learning plan for Samuel. Samuel voiced his initial concerns, saying, “I don’t know how to pronounce the tones, which makes me feel a little pressured. But I want to improve my Chinese!” Sara and Jamie also shared their observations and hopes, saying, “We noticed that the previous app didn’t seem to have a significant impact on Samuel’s learning progress. We want him to have a more immersive and effective learning experience.”
Determined to provide Samuel with a more engaging learning journey, we established a schedule of two lessons per week, ensuring consistent and continuous progress throughout the year. Addressing Samuel’s feedback, I dedicated attention to improving his phonetics and intonation. Our classroom activities created a language-rich environment, allowing Samuel to practice and refine his skills. Samuel enthusiastically shared a milestone, saying, “Teacher! Today, I had a picnic with a bunch of Chinese kids here. It was amazing! We were able to understand each other in Chinese! ”
Recognizing Samuel’s interest in Chinese culture, I incorporated captivating elements into our lessons, such as Chinese nursery rhymes, animated cartoons, and interactive games. Sara expressed her gratitude for the thoughtful approach, saying, “It has sparked his curiosity and deepened his understanding of Chinese culture.”
As Samuel’s proficiency advanced, I curated a wide range of conversation topics and focused on addressing common challenges encountered in spoken Chinese.
Jamie shared his pride, saying, “We’re impressed with Samuel’s progress. We can see his growing confidence.”
After a year of learning with me, Samuel had the opportunity to participate in a summer camp in China and explore Shanghai. Samuel excitedly shared his experience: “It was AWESOME! Shanghai is like a whole different world. The buildings are so tall, and there are lights everywhere. And the food, oh my goodness, it was out of this world! I tried so many yummy dishes like dumplings and spicy noodles. It was exactly like the stories and pictures I saw before coming here. Do you know what’s even cooler? I could talk to the local people in Chinese! It felt so cool to order food by myself. They understood me, and I understood them. It felt like home to me.”
Jamie told me: “Before Samuel went abroad, we were a bit worried. It was his first time in a country where English wasn’t the main language. We were afraid he might have trouble communicating. But guess what? He did great and had a blast in Shanghai! ”
If your child is interested in joining the Chinese course that Samuel took part in, feel free to contact me. I’m happy to discuss your needs and provide a one-on-one trial Mandarin lesson. Learning Chinese can be challenging but rewarding, and I’m here to support you on this exciting journey!
From Down Under to China: A 12-Year-Old’s Journey to Mandarin Fluency
Good Habits to Help Children Succeed in Learning Chinese
5 Most Useful Methods to Keep Kids Enjoying Learning Chinese