Parenting Guide

Mandarin at School, Home or Enrichment Programmes

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Jan 23, 2015

Parents who want their children to be fluent in Mandarin are divided into two main camps: sending their child to Chinese schools or to enrichment Mandarin programmes.A lot of parents who are determined earlier on to send their children to Mandarin medium schools usually prepare since toddler age by sending their loved ones to preschools that teach the language. Some Chinese schools have kindergartens as well, where kids will automatically be promoted to the school when the time comes for primary years registration.Some stay at home or more hands on moms and dads who are fluent in Mandarin choose to provide tutoring for their own children, either as a supplement to the Chinese school curriculum or as an extra homeschooling option.Other parents who can't spare the time or are not native Mandarin speakers themselves opt to send their children for enrichment classes conducted in Mandarin such as Speech and Drama, Music and Dance and of course Mandarin Literacy programmes.No matter the background, parents have different opinions about Chinese schools:“My child hates Chinese school, because we don't speak Mandarin and she cannot catch up.”“We think Mandarin is a beatiful language but it's complicated and boring to study through rote learning at school.”“As a native speaker, I don't want to waste money when I can teach my kids Mandarin myself.”“Chinese schools are good for children because the environment will force them to be fluent in Mandarin quicker.”"Actually our concern is not that he will be fluent in Mandarin because we speak that at home, but be better at Maths."“Chinese schools are not the only answer to Chinese learning.”"We send our love one to enrichment classes so he can catch up  in Chinese School."Don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook and receive updates and consultation on all matters related to Private and International schools in Malaysia.