Importance of Learning Chinese
The Chinese language is considered an important language globally because its presence is increasing in the world of business. There is an increased Chinese presence in many countries and with Chinese as a second language, more opportunities open up for you and a lot more doors, especially in Chinese speaking countries like China, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. “Apart from having Chinese as your second language, learning Chinese can help a child with creative thinking,” says Jessica Miller, language tutor at Confident Writers and Solid Essay . The Chinese language is written and spoken in a different way, which will allow the child to develop improved motor skills.
Creative Ways to Improve Your Child’s Chinese Language Skills
1. Label Common Household Items in Chinese
Labeling common household items in Chinese is a fun and exciting way to help your child improve his or her Chinese learning skills. Labeling things like the table, the television, and cups exposes the child to key Chinese phrases and words through visual association. This takes away the monotony of flashcard memorization that we are used to. Put labels on everyday objects, labels that have the actual Chinese character and the alphabetized version of the word, for gradual increment of reading and speaking skills.
2. Encourage Keeping of Word Bank with Regular Entries
A word bank is a list of words created for a student that relates to the content the child is learning and gives the child access to important vocabulary that helps in improving language skills. A home word bank is important for improving the child’s Chinese language skills, especially where it is the child that fills in the word bank. It allows the child to actively practice and memorize the new language, boosting their vocabulary. With a Chinese word bank, the child can test their speaking and character writing skills, which will improve their knowledge of basic Chinese character strokes and pronunciation.
3. Regular Shopping with a Chinese Grocery List
Weaving Chinese seamlessly into regular activities and bonding is important for improving a child’s language skills. This can be achieved by bringing your child along when doing grocery shopping in the market or supermarket, and have a grocery list that is written in Chinese. Give the child the list and have him or her identify the products on the list and put them in the grocery basket. Such experiences will help the child learn new words that are applicable in everyday conversations, as well as spend quality time together.
4. Supervised Playdates Where only Chinese is spoken
Having supervised playdates where only Chinese is spoken, especially with a Chinese speaking family is an effective way of expanding the child’s Chinese vocabulary. Playdates, where only Chinese is spoken, encourage social interactions through Chinese, as well as the application of the child’s knowledge of the language through conversations, negotiations, discussions, and role-playing during the playdates.
5. Play Chinese Word Games with the Child
Word games are effective language teaching tools for young children. There is a wide range of word games that can help the child learn new words, and they are a useful, interactive and fun way of learning Chinese vocabulary. Games are generally meant to be fun and entertaining, but they can be used for more than just entertainment, where when sued in the right way can be a perfect Chinese language teaching tool. The game will allow the child to use the Chinese language as a tool to communicate information to other players, thus increasing his or her grasp and understanding of the language.
6. Transform Your Home Into a Chinese Literacy-Rich Environment
Transforming your home into a Chinese literacy-rich environment will require you to make sure that there are plenty of Chinese reading materials accessible by the child. Appropriate Chinese books, newspapers, brochures and even Chinese coloring books that the child can engage with. When a child colors a coloring book with Chinese instructions properly, he or she can be given a reward to motivate them to engage more with the books.
As we become more interconnected as a globe, learning a second language is becoming increasingly important, and what better language to learn than the language spoken by the largest number of people, Chinese. Chinese is fast becoming a globally spoken language, and introducing it to children at a young age will increase their future prospects. There is a reduction in brain usage plasticity when one learns a new language like Chinese, increasing motor skills and stimulating cognitive growth.
