Learning Chinese doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, for young learners, learning Chinese is much easier than for adults. Here are four ways for your child to learn Chinese quickly and effectively.
#1: Learn everyday vocabulary so your child can express themselves
Vocabulary is one of the critical foundations of learning any language, and Chinese is no different. However, what vocabulary you learn is just as important as the vocabulary itself. Focus on vocabulary that is relevant to your child — like the words and phrases that they use in English every day. Those are the same terms they will need to express themselves in Chinese.
If your child is in kindergarten, words about games, school, and family will provide them with the tools they need to express themselves. Their world is centered around school life, family life, and having fun. The words they learn in Chinese should reflect that!
If your child is in middle school, their expression is much more complicated, and their interests are more mature. Vocabulary might focus on interests, hobbies, and friendships.
To get you started, we’ve put together several handy, must-know word lists and phrases in Chinese that will help your child accelerate their language journey.
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#2: Watch Chinese cartoons to build your child’s Chinese listening comprehension
Listening to conversations in Chinese is important so your child can improve their listening comprehension. It will also help them pick up new words and phrases. If you speak Chinese at home, your child will naturally strengthen their listening skills. But it is important to note that language is fluid and constantly changing. So, even in a home environment of native speakers, young learners might miss the opportunity to learn current words and phrases, as well as natural dialogue that is common for their age group. On the other hand, if you don’t speak Chinese at home, it will be harder for your child to improve their listening comprehension through classroom-based instruction alone.
We recommend a healthy dose of watching Chinese cartoons to improve your child’s listening skills. Cartoons are fun, engaging entertainment relevant to your child’s interests. Episodes typically follow a story arch that is easy to understand —even for a Chinese beginner. While some cartoons may be a bit too difficult for your child’s language skills or not age-appropriate, with thousands of Chinese cartoons in existence, you can certainly find one that meets your child’s needs.
Some of the best cartoons for Chinese language beginners are popular western cartoons that have been dubbed in Chinese. Your child may already be familiar with the story line and characters. They also follow a western story arch and cultural traditions — all of which your child is familiar with.
Who knew that improving your child’s listening skills could be so fun!
To get you started, LingoAce has compiled a list of Chinese cartoons and dramas for kids to get you started.
#3: Get involved in the local Chinese community so your child can practice their Chinese
Get involved in the local Chinese community in your city! Learning Chinese isn’t just about the language itself — it’s about immersing your child in the culture and providing opportunities for your child to connect with Chinese people.
Here are a few ideas on how you can connect with the local community in a way that will benefit your child’s language skills and cultural understanding:
Participate in local community events in your city’s Chinatown
Ask your child’s Chinese teacher if they can connect you with a local Chinese mother’s group
Volunteer at a local Chinese American organization in your city
#4: Take online Chinese language classes with LingoAce to accelerate your child’s Chinese
Nothing can replace taking a Chinese language class with LingoAce. It is one of the fastest ways for your child to jumpstart their Chinese language journey. At LingoAce, we provide individual online Chinese language courses that are tailored to meet your child’s needs and language proficiency level. Whether your child is a heritage learner or an absolute beginner, our curriculum is designed to engage young leaners in a fun and effective way, as well as teach them to express themselves in Chinese!
Want your child to learn even more Chinese vocabulary and phrases? LingoAce is one of the best ways to learn Chinese for kids. Each one-on-one lesson is the product of nearly 200 hours of curriculum development, teacher training, and quality control. Our classes are tailored to meet your child’s learning needs.
Experience a redefined Chinese learning experience first-hand and book a free trial class with us today.
