How multilingual children can better grasp the learning of Chinese
Lam Wai Ip Joseph Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong 10 September 2016
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Adapted from Cover of Book “The Bilingual Edge” by Kendall, King & Alison, Mackey
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হ্যাল া
你好
A question you may ask…
I don’t know Chinese,
How can I help my child to learn Chinese?
Another question you may ask…
“The Bilingual Edge” by Kendall, King & Alison, Mackey
So, how do we learn?
Language
Input Generalization
of patterns
Let’s read together
Strategy 1
• Use of your native language is beneficial
because it provided rich, complex language input for the children.
• The better the proficiency of first language, the better the development of second
language, say, Chinese
Strategy 1
“The Bilingual Edge” by Kendall, King & Alison, Mackey
Strategy 1
Strategy 1
“The Bilingual Edge” by Kendall, King & Alison, Mackey
Strategy 2: Read together with your child
Can children learn by watching TV?
Language
Input Generalization
of patterns
Strategy 3: Watching TV
No! I don’t mean this.
Strategy 3: Watching TV
Babies and toddlers
• Babies & toddlers cannot
learn language through TV, DVD or edutainment toys
School-age children
• “Television programs,
DVDs, Podcasts, language teaching software, video games, and even foreign- language music and music videos can provide positive and fun associations with the language for older
children. They can help to link language meaningfully with the culture. ”
Strategy 3: Watching TV
Yes, I mean this.
Strategy 4
• Creating a Positive Learning Environment for Your Child
• Language minority parents should monitor closely the quantity and quality of the child’s exposure to each of the two languages,
bearing in mind that the majority language has a way of seeping into each and every household.
