What if no one at home speaks Mandarin?
Jessica from Mulberry House shares how one family made Mandarin part of their child’s everyday life
Jessica described finding a reason to communicate in Mandarin, through school and activities a child enjoys. The family she spoke about committed to regular exposure over several years
Jessica started Mulberry House in 2015 after looking for Chinese immersion for her own children. Its classes use stories, play and everyday activities to introduce children to Mandarin
It is quite easy to sign up for a language class, but what happens outside that hour? I asked Jessica what learning Mandarin might look like for a family who does not speak it at home.
I asked why hearing a language may not be enough
“the language must be triggered by intent to communicate and interest”
Jessica recalled attending Saturday language school herself, but not wanting to speak Chinese when English was easier. Needing it for work later gave her a reason to use it.
I wanted to know what one family did differently
“This parent knows that the language has to be supplemented by all kinds of activities and input.”
Jessica described an American family who chose regular school exposure, then Mandarin-speaking teachers for dance and golf. The language became useful in more parts of the child’s life. It was a sustained commitment, rather than just a weekly lesson.
Think about activities your child enjoys and where a new language could become part of those, alongside their class
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