10 Effective Ways of Building Interest in Learning Chinese Language and Speaking Mandarin

Many parents are always wondering how to get their children interested in studying Chinese Language and speaking Mandarin. I have contributed and mentioned 10 methods below which are useful for both young children, youth, and adults to start with. I believe the following methods would be of help: 1. YouTube videos - There are thousand and one videos of all kinds of shows online. Cartoons as well. I think it’s a good place to start sourcing for resources. For eg. 十万个为什么、小叮当 Doraemon etc. Let them fall in love with the cartoons and they would be more receptive to the language. 2. Chinese Songs (Mandarin Pop)/Radio Yes 933 - I think we can agree that some of us learn Mandarin from songs, some of the lyrics are very meaningful and beautiful. I think we can agree that some of the lyrics they may even end up writing them in their future compositions. Of course, the most important thing is for them to bred and interest in learning Mandarin. Moreover, there will be DJs broadcasting and speaking in Mandarin, which would have been very beneficial for the kids. Suggested to play radio often, to let kids expose to music consciously and subconsciously. I suggest Yes 933 is because it is livelier as its more of a youth or young adult channel. 3. Role-Playing Games (RPG) - While your child is playing games, the instructions in it are in the Chinese Language, he or she has to click on each instruction to test out the game, therefore, language would be picked up from there. 4. Channel 8 Sunday morning Kids program - There are good dramas especially for kids during Sunday morning, the shows were crafted to students’ needs and there is a moral to the story drama. Thus, it's good to expose kids to the program. 5. Reading Chinese Storybooks for your child (bedtime story) – To inculcate good habits from young. Suggest to read them those with moral education contained in it. 6. Comic/Anime - There are kids who are amazed by comic strips and there are Chinese comics as well. Some of these comics were produced as Anime, one of such examples is Slam Dunk (basketball show). 7. Storybooks - Pick Chinese books that are simple in which students could read themselves without much assistance. That would form the portion of the low-lying fruit as they can attain the skills and achieve success easily. This would motivate them for more. 8. Writing Diary/Blog - Let kids write things they like rather than typical compositions. These allow their creativity and freedom of expression. Challenge them to write down their happiness and sadness and anything they wish to share. These could equip them with the happiness of writing. 9. Idiom stories or riddles （成语故事/猜谜语） - Most of the idioms which we are using have a story behind, kids would be fascinated by the story and how 4 words have such deep meaning in it. Riddles can also help to breed interest as it kept the kids guessing, trying to find the correct answers. 10. Instead of watching drama on tv, focus on the advertisements in between shows and in magazines or newspapers. - Advertisements usually have great puns and beautiful usage of words, they enhance students' creativity and also showed them the power of language, how beautiful and impactful it can depend on our own usage. Last but not least, speak the language at HOME daily!

Lin Lao Shi has a wealth of teaching experience and is a MOE-trained teacher. Trained in Differentiated Instruction, he has helped many students with different learning needs with their Chinese language. If you have any inquiries, call or message him at +65 9727 9365.