Sarah Chen is a mother of two and a parenting blogger based in Seattle. She shares her family’s experiences with bilingual education and multicultural parenting.
Last week, my 6-year-old daughter Emma surprised me during dinner. She turned to our Chinese neighbor and perfectly asked for the recipe of the dumplings we had at their Lunar New Year celebration – in Mandarin. Seeing her confidently switch between English and Chinese made all those months of learning Mandarin online worth it. As a mom who barely knows how to say “nihao,” I want to share our family’s experience with helping children learn Chinese, especially for parents who might be considering this journey.
Starting Our Mandarin Adventure
When we first considered having Emma Chinese class for kids, I was overwhelmed. Between soccer practice, piano lessons, and regular schoolwork, how would we fit in learning such a complex language? But China’s growing influence in the world and the cognitive benefits of bilingualism convinced us to give it a try.
The turning point came when we discovered the flexibility of online learning. Instead of rushing across town to language classes, we could learn Mandarin online from our living room. Emma could attend lessons in her pajamas if she wanted to (and believe me, she often did!).
Finding Our Perfect Match with Chinese Teachers Online
Finding the right teacher was like dating – we had to kiss a few frogs before finding our princess. Our first teacher was incredibly qualified but didn’t quite click with Emma’s energetic personality. The second was fun but lacked structure. Finally, we found Teacher Lin, who balanced engagement with education perfectly.
What made Teacher Lin different? She understood that teaching a seven-year-old requires more than just language drills. She incorporated Emma’s love for K-pop, Taylor Swift, and even Roblox into her lessons. She would teach Emma how to sing her favorite songs in Mandarin and explain the meaning behind each word.
Making Mandarin Part of Our Daily Life
Language learning happens beyond formal lessons. We started small – labeling items around the house with their Chinese names. Our refrigerator became 冰箱 (bīngxiāng), and Emma delighted in correcting my pronunciation every time I tried to say it. We switched the language settings on some of her favorite cartoons to Mandarin with English subtitles. Even our Alexa now responds in Mandarin part of the time.
The real breakthrough came when Emma discovered Chinese cooking videos on YouTube. Suddenly, our weekends included making dumplings while practicing food vocabulary. Yes, our kitchen often looks like a flour bomb exploded, but hearing Emma confidently order in Chinese at our local dim sum restaurant makes the mess worthwhile.
The Ups and Downs of Our Language Journey
Let’s be honest – it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. There were days when Emma would rather eat broccoli than practice her characters. We’ve had technical glitches during online classes that tested everyone’s patience. And yes, there was that memorable moment when Emma accidentally told her grandmother she was a fish instead of saying she was finished with her homework.
But these challenges taught us valuable lessons. We learned to celebrate small victories, like Emma recognizing Chinese characters on restaurant signs. We discovered that ten minutes of daily practice works better than an hour-long cram session. Most importantly, we realized that learning a language is a journey, not a race.
Beyond Language: Cultural Connections
What started as language lessons has blossomed into something much richer. Through her Chinese teachers online, Emma has learned about festivals, traditions, and daily life in China. She now insists we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes and has taught her school friends how to use chopsticks.
Last month, Emma had a video chat with her teacher’s niece in Shanghai. Watching them giggle and chat in a mix of English and Mandarin, I realized we’d given Emma more than just language skills – we’d opened up a whole new world of connections and friendships.
Advice from One Parent to Another
If you’re considering helping your child learn Chinese, here’s what I wish someone had told me at the start: don’t aim for perfection. Some days, practice might mean watching a Chinese cartoon while eating breakfast. Other days, it might be an intense session of character writing. Both are valuable.
Remember that children absorb languages differently than adults. They’re less afraid of making mistakes and more willing to play with new sounds. Use this to your advantage. Make learning fun, make it relevant, and most importantly, make it part of your daily life.
Making Online Learning Work for Your Family
Our setup is pretty simple, but it took some trial and error to get right. We converted a corner of Emma’s room into her “Chinese corner” with good lighting for video calls and a small whiteboard for practicing characters. A stable internet connection and a good headset made a world of difference – especially for distinguishing between those tricky tones in Mandarin.
We also discovered some great digital tools along the way. Apps like Pleco became Emma’s constant companion for looking up new words, while YouTube channels like Little Fox Chinese turned into our go-to resource for bedtime stories. We even found a few Chinese-speaking families in our neighborhood through local Facebook groups, leading to regular playdate opportunities where the kids naturally mix English and Mandarin.
The most surprising tool in our arsenal? Chinese karaoke apps! They’ve turned our Friday family nights into impromptu Chinese learning sessions. There’s something hilarious about watching dad attempt to sing Chinese pop songs, but it’s created some of our favorite family memories.
Looking Forward
Two years into our Mandarin journey, I’m amazed at how far we’ve come. Emma’s not fluent yet, but she’s confident, curious, and constantly learning. She’s developing skills that will serve her well in an increasingly connected world.
For parents considering this path, know that learning Mandarin online can fit into your family’s lifestyle. With the right teacher, approach, and attitude, it can become one of the most rewarding experiences you share with your child. After all, as Emma likes to say, “Learning Chinese is like being a superhero – you get to understand secret codes!”
