Filipino kids today have a stronger command of the English language than they do our native tongue. While this isn’t catastrophic in that it’s a matter of losing our sense of national identity, it does prove the might of Western media in establishing the de facto international language. Admittedly, I’m a product of English-language cartoon shows myself. Growing up, my siblings and I would turn on the TV and stay glued to shows like Rocko’s Modern Life, Dexter’s Laboratory, Hey Arnold, Rugrats–and even classic cartoons like Looney Tunes. These shows made learning English interesting because it seemed cool.
Truthfully, the transition to formal English classes was easier because of the interest I had early on. In grade school, having access to these shows gave me an advantage in English classes over my classmates who didn’t have access to them. I was always the first to raise my hand when my 5th-grade teacher asked for the meaning or synonym of a certain English word. As I got older, it became just a matter of improving the foundations that I know and tailoring them to my increasingly more sophisticated audience (e.g., college professors, bosses and colleagues at work, and clients in business). And I would like to think that I have made a fruitful career out of my English communication skills.
But as you know, times are changing. English will not diminish in importance on the global stage anytime soon, but I do believe that Filipino kids should be equipped with another major language that will help them in their future careers or businesses. That language is Mandarin. Yes, I’ve pointed this out several times in previous posts, but I can’t help but reiterate my message. Mandarin is a language whose importance is largely due to China’s growing economic influence, which can lead to vast opportunities for Filipinos in the future– much like how fluent English communicators benefited from the opportunities given to them.
However, a challenge persists in the Philippines. Despite the presence of numerous Chinese schools and language learning centers, there remains a scarcity of proficient Mandarin speakers. Despite the sizeable Filipino-Chinese population, conversational fluency in Mandarin is limited. One can attribute this to a lack of incentive among Filipino children to learn the language. For instance, there is a dearth of popular and appealing Mandarin cartoons comparable to those from Western culture.
Additionally, the teaching method used for teaching Mandarin relies heavily on plain old memorization. There is also a lack of exposure at home, which hinders the reinforcement of the information acquired in school. Additionally, the teaching method used for teaching Mandarin relies heavily on plain old memorization. The incentive to learn Mandarin usually would only come later such as in high school or college years, when the benefits of speaking Chinese become emphasized.
So how can we make Chinese classes more appealing to children? Below are just some ways we can break from the norm:
To make learning Mandarin more fun, there must be an initial spark of interest. Since Chinese cartoons aren’t as prevalent as their English counterparts, the interest should come in other forms and this requires creativity. One way is to introduce the language in a more fun and interactive manner. For example, incorporating Mandarin songs or games into lessons can be effective in capturing students’ interest. By using a variety of teaching methods, students can easily grasp the basics of Mandarin while enjoying the learning process.
Another key factor in mastering a language is immersion. Creating an immersive environment for students can greatly enhance their language learning experience. This can be achieved by encouraging students to watch Chinese movies or TV shows, read Chinese books or magazines, and even interact with native Mandarin speakers. An entire room could also be decorated with various Chinese references and visual aids. By exposing students to the language in different forms, they will have more opportunities to practice and enhance their skills.
In this modern age, technology has become an integral part of our lives and can also be used to make learning Mandarin more interesting. There are many language learning apps and online resources available that provide interactive lessons, games, and quizzes to help students learn Mandarin in a fun and engaging way. These tools can also track the progress of students and provide personalized feedback, making the learning experience more efficient and effective.
At Little Owls Learning Center, we have developed teaching methods and strategies that infuse fun and engagement into our curriculum. Our team consists of Mandarin-speaking educators who are not only highly experienced but also dedicated to providing an enjoyable language-learning experience for our students. In addition to helping children master Mandarin, we are dedicated to fostering an appreciation for Chinese culture among our students. Through our immersive environment, integration of technology, and committed educators, we are dedicated to empowering our students in their Mandarin language journey.
Explore more of our programs here.