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After much contemplation, we finally decided to stay with the Chinese School in which my girl had been placed. It was really not easy to come to this decision. We were still undecided right up to the very last minute before driving to the school to get her birth certificate stamped. Right before driving to the school I had completed the form of appeal to a National School and we were still discussing about it in the car. lol! Thats how undecided we are.
In the end we decided to give this particular Chinese School a try because we felt that this particular school is a good school with good facilities and a progressive head. The fact that he informed us that 60% of his students come from English speaking homes helped a little, I think.
Secondly, my girl does not show any barrier towards learning the language. She does not speak Mandarin but she is ok in her reading and writing. She shows a keeness and love for learning the language. Thats important too.
After confirming her place at the school, the school clerk asked us to write down my girl's name in Chinese so that they could prepare the badge for her. Hubby and I looked at each other. We had forgotten how to write her name in Chinese! So we had to get the aid of a teacher. Hmm... what a fine start.
We were given an Orientation program sheet (in Chinese) with some minimal Malay translation. I don't know what the program is all about since I can't read! And on the Orientation Days when the teachers talk about the school and its regulations (I presume), I won't understand what they are talking about! Oh dearie me. What have we gotten ourselves into!
So now, till the end of the year, I have to gear myself and my girl for Mandarin and lots and lots of homework. Anyone knows a good crash course in Mandarin? Hahaha. Ok. Ok. Perhaps I'll start with a good electronic dictionary. Can anyone recommend a good one?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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:). Your girl and mine can start to be friends, get them to write to each other in Chinese as practice. :D My girl is also 1/2 a banana.
ReplyDeleteMg, if I could be of any help, let me know ya...
ReplyDeleteelaine,
ReplyDeleteAt least you know how to write your girl's name in Chinese! Haha.
littlelamb,
You can recommend a good Chinese electronic dictionary if you know one, or perhaps some good Chinese cartoon or educational tapes I could get for my girl to watch. Hehe.
MG, I wish u luck. Before I came to Oz, I had also enrolled No.1 into a chinese school. I too sat there in front of the desk clerk, blur as hell, when she (a Malay lady) asked me in Mandarin what his chinese name was.
ReplyDeleteMe...a Banana, with the Malay lady who can speak fluent mandarin.
I knew I was in big trouble then... But now, I'm here..and they have Mandarin classes available. Will it be good enough? Hahah..we'll see.
ahh...can start from the TV. Watch Mandaring Movie (go pasar malam buy DVD), Mandarin Series (Sinkapo one), Mandarin News oso can....hehehe!! Some more..buy Mandarin song CD..sing mandarin song..
ReplyDeleteTV very powderful..I pick up a lot of Chinese from the Cantonese series and learning all the actors & actresses names!! Some more can get addicted to TV....sit quietly watch TV and no disturb people!
Ah...i better go find out all the Disney Princesses & Barbies' names in Mandarin. My girl sure want to learn and remember 101%! Garenti! chao...
You can study Chinese for free online - there are lots of resources at www.zhongwenred.com
ReplyDeletei think everyone should start to speak mandarin now...ni hau ma??? gosh..i dun even know how to write my own son's name.. cham lor
ReplyDeleteI like your decision. My eldest is in primary one, chinese school now and he's picking up well. He can now converse in mandarin, something which he has never done before.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 posts on teaching chinese but I'm not sure if it suits you. You may want to take a look:
http://www.childrenloveplay.com/search/label/Chinese
mott,
ReplyDeleteFortunately the Malay lady spoke to me in Malay wor. She asked me why dunwan to appeal to Kebangsaan school?
annie,
Mandarin news the words to chim for me ler. I think I'll start with Mandarin cartoons. (Talking about myself not my girl). Hahaha.
kate,
Thanks for the link. :)
sasha,
You better go and learn his name in Chinese then. So that when you register that time, at least you know how to write down. Don't be like me. Hehe.
jo-n,
Thanks! They're useful. I'm going to snoop around Popular Bookstore soon.
Good for you, MG for the wise decision.
ReplyDeleteFinally you're more a little relaxed now. Wait till the school really begin...haha..
All the best.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely I will learn from your experience. Do blog about how your daughter gets on in school next year.
If your girl had the basics, should be no problem for her. Kids learn fast. My two elder kids are in Kebangsaan school and the #2 is on this new implementation of every child must know mandarin thing, so her books are more chim chim than her bro's. As for the youngest she is in Chinese Kindy. So I very cham now. But luckily, I got back up. My hubby reads chinese.. So I push it all to him when things get too tough!
ReplyDeletetx 4 droppinng on my blog...u made a good decision 4 u girl.. should be not problem 4 u girl.. my uncle and aunty also banana but they send their 3 kids to chinese school as well... not problem.. and the result my aunty benefit on this where she learn when she teach her kids.
ReplyDelete