A new school year starts. We have 35 children, with 14 different nationalities.
Our first theme is ‘You, me and we’. It’s time to get to know each other and to build trust and friendship.
On Tuesday morning, I gave Chinese Lesson to two groups of children: one group is of more advanced in Chinese and the other beginners.
How should I start with the kids, who have zero knowledge of Chinese and most of them are new ones? They are in the phase of adjustment and are finding their place in the kindergarten. Some of them still have tears in the eyes when they come to kindergarten in the morning.
I would like to help the children feel good about themselves and to know each other through Chinese lessons.
In the first lesson, instead of teaching children to greet each other in Chinese like I did previous years, I start by asking them how to say ‘hello’ in their mother tongues. During this time, I am listening very carefully and letting everyone repeat it in different languages all together. Afterwards I start to tell them ‘Ni Hao ‘means hello in Chinese and I am very happy to have this opportunity to share my Chinese knowledge with them and to learn their cultures as well! It is fascinating to see the confidence and smiles on their faces and the whole atmosphere is more relaxed and friendly.
The main point for letting the kids talk in their mother tongues, is not about the languages itself, but more about building up strong sense of identity and to help them be comfortable and confident in who they are.
To listen to them carefully and to repeat ‘hello’ in their languages, is to also tell children they are important and valued.
In the end of lesson, several children approached me by saying ‘Ni Hao’ with smiling on their faces.
It is a very good feeling.
Xin Li, Chinese and English Teacher, Kindergarten Ennetbaden
