Nurturing Active Minds
TIPS FOR LEARNING MANDARIN It’s one of the world’s must-learn languages and – if you’re proficient in it – a passport to a wide choice of international careers. Which is why so many parents are keen for their children to learn Mandarin while they’re youn
At what age is it best to start learning a language?
Research indicates that it’s a case of the younger, the better. The optimum age to start is probably three to four years. The younger the learner, the better they are at mimicking new sounds and learning pronunciation – the brain is open to new sounds and patterns in pre-adolescence. What’s more, young children have time to learn through play-like activities and they can try out their newly acquired languages without fear of embarrassment. At an early age, we are giving them the opportunity to tap into their natural ability to hear and distinguish the sounds of other languages and their capacity to make sense of what they’re hearing.
PeopleP say the Mandarin accent is difficultd to master; how is this best t taught?
M Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which meansm that different tones can change the meaningm of a word, even if the pronunciation and spelling are otherwise the same. It’s essential to learn the different tones if you wish to speak Mandarin Chinese correctly. We teach tones throughth the top-down approach; our teachers model words spoken in the correct tone.
Is it beneficial to engage a tutor for preschoolers?
A tutor i s n ’t necessary; it’s actually more beneficial to have a Chinesespeaking helper or nanny who can converse and play with a child in Mandarin.
What is the OWIS curriculum approach as far as language is concerned?
We recognise that the primary purpose of language is communication; grammar is important, but there’s a bigger picture. We know that language is no longer seen as being best learnt through mechanical exercises; rather, it’s developed through students interacting and engaging.
We follow three key principals: language should be taught by a native speaker; it should be fun and engaging (with teachers using song and dance, arts and crafts, games, cooking and puppetry to build conversation and vocabulary skills and learn about culture); and it should be taught in regular, consistent chunks of time (at OWIS, students have four 40-minute periods a week).
Top apps to try
Lingupinguin: an interactive picture dictionary with audio, simple vocabulary themes and a quiz section. Chinese Flashcards by Inkids: Illustrations and Chinese characters are included on each card; select “Mandarin Chinese” to hear the correct pronunciation. Chungaboo: An entertaining app in which children touch pictures on cards. Select Chinese in the language setting to see a pronunciation guide and tone marks on each card. Piggy Picnic: Uses the immersion approach; select English in the settings to understand the questions. Rick & Jacky: Introduces words and basic sentence patterns. Feed Me Chinese: Designed in the immersion style, this is a fun challenge for children with some Chinese background.
How does learning a language complement learning in other subjects?
Research suggests that, whatever the subject, all knowledge-building in a school context involves working with language. Language is not only an important tool for communicating and expressing our feelings, needs and thoughts to others, it also helps in learning content in subjects like science, geography, history and mathematics.
And how does it influence long-term brain development?
Babies are said to babble using the different sounds found in the languages of the world; but eventually a child will learn to talk using only the sounds and words he or she picks up from his or her environment. It’s in these growing years (say, until the age of 12) that the foundations for thinking, language, aptitudes and other characteristics are laid down, and the blueprint of the brain is completed. The cortex – the part of the brain that processes information – needs constant stimulation, in the same way that exercise is required to build the muscles of the body. Children who are simultaneously exposed to more than one language have greater brain activity and develop better memory skills, attention spans and language development than those who speak one language; this gives them a positive cognitive edge.
How does the frequency of language classes influence learning?
Continuous exposure to any language allows a child to make progress in increasing vocabulary, language construction, acquisition and application. If exposure to the language is not complemented in their home environment, it’s in a child’s best interests to be taught in class every day. Repetition, as well as exposure to learning experiences through songs, arts, visuals, play and exploration, provides opportunities to learn and pick up nuances with ease. At White Lodge, we provide the Mandarin learning experience two times daily to all age groups.
What are some of the techniques appropriate to different ages and learning levels?
The fun way to teach children in early childhood is through sensorial stimulation and exploration through play. In bilingual immersion, all the teaching, including usual conversation, is done in the language the kids are learning. Joining extracurricular language classes after school, reading books and watching videos are great ways to learn language in a visual context. It’s also helpful to expose children to the spoken language at home, or by organising play, trips or travel that will allow them to hear more of the language.
What curriculum approach does White Lodge use in language instruction?
We provide an immersion programme in Mandarin language development that combines sensorial stimulation and play combined with learning in an enriched environment. The children practice their conversational Mandarin throughout each day, and by Graduation the four-to-six-year-olds are equipped with basic skills to prepare for their transition to primary schools.