Concerned Mother: Son cannot speak in Chinese properly even though he is Chinese-descent

Dear Agony Aunt,

I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to you as I am quite concerned about my son, who is currently in primary school. Our family primarily speaks English at home, and while we are proud of our Chinese heritage, I have noticed that my son’s proficiency in the Chinese language is significantly below average.

He struggles to communicate with his peers and often feels left out during group activities, especially when they converse in Chinese. I can see that this is affecting his confidence and making him anxious about social interactions. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see him feel isolated.

I want to support him in improving his Chinese language skills, but I am unsure of the best approach to take. Should I enroll him in additional language classes, or should I focus on incorporating Chinese more into our daily lives at home? I would appreciate any advice you can offer to help him feel more confident and connected with his cultural background.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Warm regards,
A Concerned Mother

Dear Concerned Mother,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your heartfelt concern about your son. It’s wonderful to see how much you care about his well-being and cultural connection.

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that many families face similar challenges when raising bilingual children, especially when they primarily use one language at home. The good news is that there are several effective strategies you can adopt to help your son improve his Chinese language skills and boost his confidence.

1. Creating a Bilingual Environment: Try to incorporate more Chinese into your daily routine. This could include labeling items around the house in both English and Chinese, playing Chinese music or shows, or reading children’s books in Chinese together. The more he hears and sees the language, the more familiar it will become.
2. Language Classes: Enrolling your son in a Chinese language class could be beneficial. Look for programs that emphasize fun and interactive learning. Many local community centers or cultural organizations offer such classes, making it a great opportunity for him to learn alongside other children.
3. Social Interaction: Encourage him to engage with other children who speak Chinese. Organizing playdates or joining community events where the language is spoken can provide him with a comfortable space to practice. This social aspect can make learning the language much more enjoyable and less intimidating.
4. Support from Family: If you have family members who are fluent in Chinese, encourage them to spend time with him and converse in the language. This can help him feel more at ease and provide real-life practice.
5. Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate his efforts and progress, no matter how small. Building his confidence is crucial, so ensure he knows that making mistakes is a part of learning.

Remember, language acquisition is a gradual process, and it’s perfectly normal for children to have different levels of proficiency. With your support and encouragement, I believe your son can develop a stronger connection to his Chinese heritage and improve his language skills.

Take it one step at a time, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further guidance.

Best wishes,
Agony Aunt