Chinese Language School: Which Is Best For My Child?

Beth has just finished her third year with Werribee Chinese School...

...And still can't hold a decent conversation in Mandarin.

The school's not to blame of course. Learning a language has to be reinforced on many fronts, especially at home. Three hours a week on a Sat afternoon is the bare minimum.

It's poor consolation to know that we are not alone in being somewhat lacking in self-discipline when it comes to equipping our kids to be bilingual.

We have friends who are holding off sending their kids to Chinese class because it's such a hassle, because one or both parents can't speak Chinese/aren't terribly interested in Chinese anyway/ had bad experiences at school/moved to Aus to escape compulsory Chinese language learning so what's the point of forcing their kids to learn Chinese. Certainly, most would agree that weekend classes can be such a damper when there are more fun things to do, as they regularly take half a Sat away from precious family time and require considerable commuting time.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have friends who are contemplating transferring their kids to a 'better' Chinese school. One that has is well-regarded by other Chinese families, conducts lessons only in Chinese, offers tutoring up to Year 12, and is professionally run with native speakers.

Some schools that have come up in conversation are:

• Xin Jin Shan Chinese Language and Culture School in Braybrook
• VSL@ Taylors Lakes
• VSL@Melbourne High

The trouble is, these classes all run in the morning (from about 9.30-12 plus), and Beth is already committed to Yamaha keyboard class from 9.45-10.45 till 2011.

So for now, the options are:

• Homeschool Beth myself (she would love this option because it means getting away from three-hour Sat afternoon classes in a subject she is not yet competent in, but it will mean enormous patience, diligence and discipline on my part)
• Continue with Werribee Chinese School (which is moving to Point Cook in 2010, a much more pleasant learning environment compared to the current Glen Orden PS).
  

Sat 12 Dec was the last class for the year. During the annual party, I had a chat with the principal about Beth's progress. She had some interesting comments. She said it was for us as parents to decide, but she feels Beth still needs a lot of encouragement and hand-holding but she is otherwise doing well and has a good learning attitude (as evidenced by the Outstanding Student of the Year award she received).

I had a look at the new curriculum for 2010 and was pleased (being a typical Singaporean parent) to observe that the new workbook sets out daily homework to be completed. This regimen of forced daily learning will definitely help her build confidence and competence and sustain her interest and motivation in time to come.

One problem we have as a family is that I haven't been very diligent in making sure I converse in Mandarin with Beth or that we watch Chinese DVDs and play Chinese computer games. So that will have to be a goal for 2010: to offer daily exposure in the form of age-appropriate and level-appropriate activities and learning opportunities that stimulate, engage and help her become gradually proficient in Chinese.

Just because we no longer live in Sg is no excuse to be slack about learning languages.

As a recent study by the Uni of Melbourne puts it:

No country wants 18-year old citizens whose education has not challenged the naturally ethnocentric worldview they held as kindergarten children, and this fundamental benefit of language learning at school, along with the cognitive skills and affective maturity it also develops, is recognised internationally.

If previously monolingual Aus is now beginning to recognize the importance of proficiency in Chinese, how much more we, who hail from a tiny but successful country that has insisted on bilingualism at school, and whose graduates are well placed to live and work in other countries because of this far-sighted policy.

**Breaking News**
Beth decided - quite unexpectedly for us - that she would like to continue with Werribee Chinese Class next year.

As long as her good friend Jennifer (who has been her classmate @ WCS for the past 3 years and goes to HCC) is still attending classes with her!