🔝 A project by one of Xuan’s Chinese language students.
“Before covid, we had a Chinese program in the library every weekend. I would hold a play group for the younger kids and families, and they would come and communicate. They would learn Chinese while the kids were playing together. But since the library is closed, we don’t have that place to build community anymore.
Now, I teach Chinese for a preschool. The director of the school really wanted to have a Mandarin program, and some of the students were asking for one. Some of the kids’ parents are Chinese and others are not. For kids with Chinese parents, I can usually teach them reading and writing. Those are different approaches, but one way isn’t harder than the other.
For kids who do not have the Chinese language or environment at home, they learn the language in a very simple way, like how to say hello and goodbye, and how to write simple words and get used to Chinese pronunciations. The kids catch on easily compared to adults because they are learning at a younger age. I find it very interesting how the kids are not familiar with the language, but they can generally pick up some words, use it, and understand it.
In the Upper Valley, there are not many Chinese families. I know several with older kids, but they are not very good at Chinese. I think that if kids do not understand Chinese, they may not understand their cultural background. They might feel confused about their own identity and lose confidence. I am there to provide that environment where they can hear and speak Chinese.
I think it is important to have some communication between cultures, for Americans to know more about those outside of the United States and for the Chinese kids to learn more about their parents’ language and culture.” –Xuan, Hanover, NH.
