Teaching chinese to Elementary Kids?

Question

Hey Guys, I need some opinions, When teaching American elementary kids on how to speak chinese in their first lesson, what would be some interesting things they could do, or rather, the teacher should prepare? The kids have never studied or probably heard about chinese(the language). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Start with basic vocabulary.

Have kids bring in a "show and tell" item and then teach kids the Chinese word for each of the items.


Good luck....

Answer 2

Teaching any 2nd language to kids has the same basic principles. Children are grounded in the "here and now", and they have a very strong sense of "self". I trained teachers to teach ESL and everyone is scared of the first lessons. The first things they need to know other than their names, is classroom language or the language of instruction. ie. open your books, sit down, stand up, come here, blackboard, desk, paper, pencils/pens, write, read. Once they have this mastered start with the child. Work from the center of an outwardly expanding spiral with the child being at the center. So, we teach them about themselves, their family, the school, the community, the neighbourhood, the city, the country... and so on in an ever expanding context. If you use the context then the vocabulary will follow. Each context builds upon the previous one...If you start with the child & their family, you can read simple stories about families and talk about them. Children are always happy to talk about themselves so it's not an artificial conceit. Good Luck

Answer 3

I teach a Spanish class after school for elementary students. On the first day of class, I gave them a list of Spanish names to choose from. They were excited about having the chance to select for themselves. They also created their own name tags that they wear each class. (You may want to have names already printed out with the English pronunciation under it so they could glue it onto a name tag to decorate.) I also gave them post-it notes. They had to write at least two things they wanted to learn in the class. And, if applicable, they were to write what they already knew about Spanish or cultures/countries where Spanish is spoken. On the first day I also taught them how to say "here" so they could practice saying it when I took attendance. We did basic greetings on the first day, as well.

Since Chinese is a language that kids aren't as exposed to, you may want to have them find China on a world map. You could also play a short video that shows some of China's culture so they have a visual image to connect with. Another idea would be to bring in a children's video like a cartoon so that the students can hear what Chinese sounds like.

Good luck! I hope it goes well.

Answer 4

start with Greetings, good morning, afternoon, night. Baba, Mama, Didi, Mei mei..
How r u, happy birthday, How much, How, who, why, when, where, how much..
then..
the days.. monday tuesday----sunday.
the months january--december
the numbers 1,2,3,4-----------------------------
then only u start with items, animals, etc