Chinese in kindergarten?

Question

My daughter will be learning math and science in Chinese (Mandarin) at a public school. All other classes are in English.

What do you think? What, if any, would be your concerns?

Answer 1

Math is probably fine because mathematical concepts do not vary in whatever language used. As long as the school only teaches 2 non-English classes, she should be fine. It's wonderful that your daughter has the opportunity to practice 2 languages.

Answer 2

Kindergarten may be a young age to be studying another language, but it's a good thing! Mandarin is becoming a prevalent language, especially in the future. Because she started early she will probably be fluent if she continues learning the language. My only question is that why is Chinese not taught as a language class but in a math and science class? In math numbers are the same but science may be better understood in a language she already speaks.

Answer 3

If your kid is already a bilingual, there's no concern at all but you need to think about how she can bridge over to primary schools which may not teach those subjects in exactly the way they were at kindergarten. Source some Chinese-English glossaries on maths and science may help your guide her at home if she runs into difficulties.

You didn't mention whether your kid was taught Chinese as a language of its own. If she wasn't, it may perhaps be better if you sign her up with a course like that.

While English will remain the lingua franca of the world for the foreseeable future, Chinese is becoming more and more important as a language as China is gaining momentum in economics and world politics.

With globalization going from strength to strength, it's true that in future, polyglots will certainly have a definite edge over monoglots.

Answer 4

Not in this lifetime! English is the predominant language of business, science, and technology because the United States has been on the cutting edge in these areas for generations. I really don't care how many Chinese there are on this planet. The Chinese government is married to a doctrine that stifles the human spirit, creativity, and free expression.

Answer 5

Do you live in China? If not, I would ask why they are teaching in Chinese. That's like a teacher in Spain teaching a History class totally in Russian.

As a side note about the bilingual thing: Math and Science classes are very difficult for many students. To add the additional pressure of learning it in a totally foreign language is not the best teaching practice IMO.

Answer 6

Does she already speak Chinese? If not, make sure that the teacher knows how to scaffold the learning for students who don't yet know the language, i.e. using lots of pictures, gestures and demonstrations along with the verbal instruction.

Answer 7

I would have no concerns. Obviously, your daughter will be bilingual, a good, no great thing.