pumpkin_pie wrote:My K1 ds is very weak in chinese. He can read many simple chinese words but unable to communicate in mandarin . This is mainly because we do not speak to him in chinese when he was younger. Now we are starting, but he will just answer "bu" or nod his head for a yes. Sometimes he will say he doesnt know what I am talking. *faint*.
I have not started him on any chinese enrichment classes yet. Thinking of Xuelin at 112 katong, but on the other hand, I think he may need 1:1 tuition for at least till he can communicate in chinese. What do you all think? I worry he go enrichment class but still cannot communicate in mandarin cos I dont think the teachers will spend time to "make" him speak/reply in mandarin since its a group class.
Anyone has tried 1:1 home chinese tuition (intensive) and seen good results? Please share contact. Thanks!
Just to share.. when my DS2 was in N2, no matter how many Chinese books i read to him or tried to speak to him in Mandarin, he will always response in English. Even his N2 CL teacher used to feedback that he never participate or respond to her, except nodding / shaking his head (that means he understood but refused to open his golden mouth).
I had e same worry as you when i first sent him to Chinese enrichment class in K1... i kept warning the teachers at the first few lessons,"Sorry if he acts dumb in class...." but i saw a 180 deg change in him within weeks of attending the lessons... He attempted to speak to me in Mandarin (even broken) and even to my auntie neighbour who had been speaking to him in Mandarin for years and she commented "last time u never talk to me, now u talk so much ah..."
Personally i find preschoolers will be more suited for group enrichment than individual tuition (individual tutors, dont

me...)... as they can socialise, make friends while learning the language in the midst of playing games together... They hv to find the process FUN before they are willing to absorb what is being taught.
Btw my fren who put her kid in Xuelin last 2 yrs, commented that it was good.
Good luck!
