Fun ways to learn Chinese

Learning a new language can be an exciting adventure, and learning Chinese is no exception! However, finding ways to keep your child engaged and motivated while learning can be a challenge. In this article, we will explore some fun and engaging ways to learn Chinese at home.

1. Sing along with Chinese karaoke

Besides singing your hearts out in the karaoke, it’s also an enjoyable way to learn Chinese! Many people love music of all kinds, which makes karaoke an extremely popular activity for people of all ages. Plenty of karaoke systems come with a huge range of Chinese songs, so you and your child can organise karaoke parties, sing along, and practise your pronunciation together at the same time!

Singing karaoke can also improve your child’s listening skills and help them learn new vocabulary, as many Chinese song lyrics are written in a poetic way. For younger children, there are songs that are accompanied with animated videos and lyrics, which make learning Chinese even more enjoyable!

2. Awaken your mind with Chinese board games

One of the many familiar sights we see in Singapore is watching senior citizens play Chinese chess in Chinatown, as well as HDB void decks! Another way to make learning Chinese fun is by incorporating board games such as Chinese chess, mahjong, and Go.

These board games are not only fun, but they also help improve cognitive skills. They require strategy, concentration, and critical thinking, making them a great way to keep children engaged while learning Chinese. Playing them can encourage you to think in Chinese, sharpen your response time, solidify your grasp of numbers and terms and help your child bond with the people they play with.

3. Whip up some Chinese cuisine

Cooking Chinese food can also be an enjoyable way to learn Chinese. Cooking requires following instructions - so what better way to practise your Chinese than by reading and following a Chinese recipe book? You can also learn new Chinese vocabulary related to cooking and food.

Chinese cuisine is diverse, and there are many dishes to choose from, such as dumplings, stir-fries, and noodle dishes. Parents can involve their children in the cooking process, making it a family bonding activity while learning Chinese.

4. Watch exciting Chinese shows

Watching Chinese movies and television shows is another fun way to learn Chinese. There are many Chinese movies and television shows available on popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix and iQiyi!

Watching these shows can help improve your listening skills, pronunciation, and vocabulary while also enriching your child’s knowledge of Chinese culture. Parents can watch these shows with their children and discuss the plot and cultural aspects of the show, making it a fun and educational activity.

5. Practise Chinese calligraphy

Calligraphy is a mesmerising activity, no matter what language it’s written in. It’s a traditional art form that originated from ancient China that involves writing Chinese characters with a brush and ink. Not only does calligraphy improve your handwriting, it also helps you understand Chinese characters better.

Encourage your child to start with simple characters and eventually progress to more complex ones. There are many online tutorials and resources available on YouTube to learn Chinese calligraphy!

6. Storytime with Chinese stories

Many of us have heard about popular Chinese stories such as The Monkey King (孙悟空) at some point in our lives. Learning Chinese through storytelling is a great way to engage children!

Other popular Chinese stories such as Journey to the West (西游记), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义), and Water Margin (水浒传), are not only entertaining but also provide a glimpse into Chinese culture and history! Parents can read these stories to their children or have their children read them aloud. This helps improve reading skills and comprehension while learning Chinese at the same time.

Wrapping up

Learning Chinese can be made fun through the aforementioned activities and more. It’s rather easy to integrate it into everyday activities when you explore new avenues such as karaoke or board games. You can organise these activities at home or in the outdoors that will help boost your child's interest and fluency in Chinese over time. Encourage them to spend a little time each day to brush up on their Chinese and make it a fun and memorable experience for them!