Singapore is a melting pot of various cultures and ethnicities. With so many groups commingling and living with each other, people will not fault you for wondering how everyone gets along. Understanding each other is the first step toward working and building a future together. That requires a mastery of language.
In our country, two crucial languages that help you navigate the country (and most parts of the world) are English and Mandarin. The importance of these languages is why you can find a preschool curriculum in Singapore that offers courses in both languages.
English and Mandarin are two of the most widely spoken languages in the world, both as mother tongue and second language. Billions of people use these languages to converse with each other, publish scientific journals, read books and magazines, and more. It is said that learning a new language gives you an open and honest look at the native country where the language originates from.
Yes, even when your child is preschool-aged, it is beneficial for them to learn English and Mandarin. Children should start learning languages when they are young. The younger the child, the greater the brain’s elasticity and neural formation, which makes language learning easier. Compared to the developed brains of adults, infants and children are much more adept at learning. If there’s a time for your children to start learning new languages, it is better for you to take advantage of it now with a bilingual programme.
What are some ways to teach children second (or even third) languages?
Do not hesitate to give your children the gift of language learning while they are young. Your child will thank you for it when they become fluent in the future. Many bilingual people or polyglots can find opportunities abroad in multiple fields, including journalism, transcription, translation, international market research, and more. You do not need to exert too much effort to find opportunities for your children to learn English or Mandarin. You can find a preschool or other learning institutes that use both languages as their primary mode of communication and teaching.
Other than sending your child to a great school, you can focus on other ways you can teach your child how to learn new languages. Parents are partially responsible for the language learning responsibilities of their children. Because of the responsibilities, they should take active steps in their education.
If you are wondering what parents can do, here are a few things that may help your child pick up English or Mandarin quicker.
1) Buy Mandarin and English workbooks
Sure, they might be able to receive great workbooks at a bilingual programme but do not rely on school work to get them through the learning process. Get extra resources for them with fun workbooks and let them pass the time by answering them. Some kids may be too pressured to work with other students on language exercises, so give them a chance by purchasing textbooks.
2) Become a multilingual household
The first thing your child needs is exposure to the languages you want to teach them. Whether you want to teach them one language or five, children need adequate exposure to the languages to pick up its nuances. If they only hear their new language at a bilingual preschool, they won’t associate the language with their everyday life. They might associate it with work, which is the last thing you want. They may grow to loathe learning the language and refuse to pick it up.
Speak Mandarin and Chinese around them often. For example, if you want them to develop better Mandarin skills, speak to them more in Mandarin. On the other hand, ask your child to speak English to you when you’re at home. It will feel almost natural to them.
3) Get a dedicated one-on-one tutor
If you are determined to let your child learn English or Mandarin, you cannot do any better than hiring a tutor for the job. A one-on-one tutor can help your child learn more about the language and give them much more attention than any classroom setting can. You can even choose the method of teaching sessions for your child.
See what is most convenient for your kid. Some people do better with face-to-face encounters, while some tutors offer online classes for safety and privacy’s sake. A language tutor can even come to your home to help your child learn in a familiar environment. Sometimes tutors are a part of learning centres and they offer a comprehensive list of language topics to pick from. They often remove the pressure of academic settings.
4) Gift your child the joy of English or Chinese literature and other art mediums
If your child likes to watch movies, play video games, read books, or listen to music, use this to your advantage. Figure out what your child likes and use it to help further their education in English or Chinese. You do not need to wait for their bilingual preschool to provide the resources they need to further their studies. A motivated child will figure out ways to learn if they want to.
5) Take them on a trip where English or Mandarin is the main language
Many people would call this the ‘immersive route’ for many reasons. There’s nothing more effective than letting a child experience how it feels to live in a country and talk to locals whose native language is English or Mandarin. It may open their eyes and help them discover the importance of learning their new languages. You will give your child great motivation.
With Little Skool House, your child can learn more about how language relates to themselves and the world around them. Open new doors for your children when you enrol them in one of Little Skool House’s programmes.
