暑假不知不覺都快結束了，有些家庭都已經秋天開學，今天要討論的是關於如何選擇適合的線上中文課，線上中文課從疫情開始就一直是很不錯的學習選項，它不但集合方便(在家就可以上)，有時候課程費用也比實體課程的低一些，我們家是疫情時就開始上線上中文課，一路上換了很多老師，換了很多線上學校，幾乎沒有一個課程或是線上學校是持續適合孩子的每一個階段，我記得有一位在社群媒體很活躍的爸爸說過，讓小孩學中文不怕找不到線上老師，但光為了調度孩子平常生活和線上上課之間的平衡，那才是做為父母比較花費心思的地方。

至於為什麼會想要今天寫這個主題，因為在我寫了這篇換日線的文章後，我又讓孩子嘗試了非常多不同的線上中文課，甚至就在前幾個禮拜，我也讓孩子試了台灣南一書局開的One class平台的試課，發現其中有些固定看到的現象，可以給大家當作參考:

1. 線上課程若可以是同一國家或是在海外生活的線上老師教，老師會比較了解孩子的生活日常:我們在過去接近7年的上線上課程歷程中，有老師人在台灣，有老師人在美國，或是其他國家，我發現人在亞洲的老師，對於美國的季節、小朋友在美國會碰到的假期、小朋友之間流行的話題，比較不太知道這邊的習性，我們碰過最大的不同就是有一次一個中文思辨課，亞洲老師提起學校學校排名這件事，這件事在我們紐約學校是幾乎不存在，但老師以為這個學校排名的概念，小朋友會很容易了解，但殊不知某些國家的小朋友是沒有從小被灌輸這種觀念。

2. 小朋友和老師之間的階級概念:雖然我不住台灣已經20年多，從這幾次帶孩子回台灣參加僑委會的戀念台灣活動，在過去三年他們也去台灣小孩短暫就讀三次，雖然現在的學校已經比我小時候就讀時豐富許多，但印象蠻深刻的還是小朋友和老師之間的尊敬與互動，小朋友在台灣學校能否能像在美國學校一樣自由發表意見，這就是一種文化不同的體現，雖然不是我們碰過的台灣線上老師都比較有架子，但確實有碰過在台灣老師會要求線上小朋友要坐好，不行扭來扭去，上課要有上課的樣子，但大部分我們碰到的駐點在海外的線上老師，對這種要求其實比較少，也願意也鼓勵讓學生多多表達意見。

3. 教學來說，台灣老師在意的點和海外老師在意的部分不太一樣，昨天我們試國小三年級的國語課，台灣老師教了幾個生字，請我們家孩子學寫字，在短短的試課中，老師注重筆畫正確也請孩子在螢幕上寫出來，光是在用螢幕上寫出那些字就蠻花時間，所以整堂試課就變成都只是在寫國字。普遍來說，海外線上小朋友的中文課比較趨向不以學寫字為導向，比較是重視孩子認字和中文詞彙增加，因為在鮮少的中文學習時間中，大部分教海外孩子的老師會有類似的想法: 那就是小朋友學會基礎寫字即可，之後小朋友可以用打字，或是用語音輸入來寫作文，這方面就得知道海外孩子學習目標的老師才比較知道如何安排不同學習的優先順序。

至於要如何挑適合孩子的線上中文課?

1. 上課時間一定要是適合的時間，這個幾乎是我在選擇線上課的最注重的一個環節，因為孩子若下課回來都已經太累，但就不適合一堂長達一小時又比較枯燥的課。

2. 孩子和老師的互動要是有來有往的，線上課的困難點一直都是隔著銀幕，很難讓孩子願意和老師互動，所以若能找到讓孩子可以互動的老師或是線上課，不管是用螢幕上的活動，或是老師本身有方法可以讓孩子持續和他互動，這是最好的指標，當然父母常常關心的是要怎麼找到可以和孩子互動的老師，我這麼多年來也沒有好方法，就是得一直試，試到適合的老師。

3. 課程最好還是有一個進度的，這個是我一兩年很大的啟發，以前大家都會覺得讓孩子上上有趣的中文課，能引起孩子興趣的最好，但我在嘗試各種不同的中文課，像是中文數學課、中文思辨課、中文coding 課、中文美術課，這些雖然都好玩，孩子也都藉由這些課程而有更多中文口語練習，但對於實際上中文程度的進度，還是有限，孩子很難藉由這些課來提升更多詞彙，閱讀能力也難藉由這樣的課程而有成長，所以不管老師是用適合海外小朋友的教材，或是台灣國小課本，長久下來，中文程度就不只是「保持」之前的水準，而是有看得到的成長，我覺得那些好玩的課程還是要有的，但學習中文的基礎課程還是要有的。

4. 肯和家庭合作的老師，可以有自己的堅持，但也可以理解家庭上的困難，我們之前有一個教學很不錯的老師，小朋友也很喜歡，但後來老師對於功課繳交的日期，以及其他對小朋友的要求，我以一個家長身分無法做到，有些要求我也無法理解，所以無法和這個老師繼續上課下去，親師之間，不只是小孩要喜歡上那個課，家長也得和老師有良好的溝通才行。

我會衷心推薦每個家庭都可以試試不同的線上課，我覺得上線上課的方便性還是大過於其中的一些壞處，就我們的經驗，線上課還是得常常審視其中的效果，我們幾乎一年到一年半左右就會換了一個學校或是老師，因為隨著孩子長大，所需要的課程內容或是模式也會有所不一樣，那時就得回去做新一輪的試課和尋找適合孩子那個當下的課程。

In early August, I co-hosted a cross-time zone webinar with three moms—台媽Vicky, Snail Mama, and Angie from Boba Chinese. We had an honest, deep conversation about the highs and lows of raising bilingual kids abroad. If you missed the live event, you can watch the recording and access our shared resources via [this link]. Don’t forget to follow them on social media too!

With summer wrapping up and fall classes starting, I’ve been thinking a lot about online Chinese classes. Online learning has been a staple for us since the pandemic. It’s convenient, affordable, and flexible. However, after years of trying various platforms, I’ve learned that no single teacher or school fits a child forever. As one parent influencer wisely put it: Finding a Chinese teacher isn’t the hard part—balancing online classes with a child’s real-life schedule is where parents spend the most energy.

After publishing my article in Crossing (換日線), my kids tried even more platforms—including a recent trial with Taiwan’s OneClass (by Nani Publishing). Through these experiences, I’ve noticed a few key patterns worth sharing:

3 Key Insights on Online Teachers & Cultures

1. Cultural Context Matters: Teachers based abroad (or with overseas living experience) better understand our kids’ daily lives. Teachers living exclusively in Asia often miss regional nuances like local holidays, seasonal rhythms, or cultural norms (e.g., assuming kids understand “school rankings,” a concept entirely foreign to my kids in New York).

2. Teaching Style & Dynamic: Traditional Taiwanese schooling leans toward formal respect and strict behavior. We’ve had trial teachers in Taiwan expect kids to sit completely still on camera, whereas overseas-based teachers are generally more relaxed and encourage free expression.

3. Curriculum Priorities (Writing vs. Literacy): In a recent trial of a Taiwanese 3rd-grade curriculum, the teacher spent most of the time correcting brush stroke order on screen. Overseas-focused teachers, on the other hand, recognize that heritage learners have limited time. They prioritize vocabulary, reading, and recognition over handwriting, knowing kids can eventually type or use voice-to-text.

4 Tips for Choosing the Right Online Class

1. Class schedule is Everything: Never schedule a dry, 60-minute class when your child is already exhausted after school.

2. Prioritize Real Interaction: The hardest part of online learning is keeping kids engaged through a screen. Look for teachers who actively involve students through interactive screen tools or dynamic teaching styles. Finding the right fit takes trial and error!

3. Balance “Fun” Classes with a Structured Curriculum: Fun enrichment classes (like Chinese math, coding, or art) are great for oral practice, but they rarely build reading stamina or advanced vocabulary. To see measurable progress, pair these fun classes with a structured core curriculum (using heritage-focused materials or standard textbooks).

4. Look for Parent-Teacher Alignment: A great teacher should be firm yet flexible regarding home circumstances. We once left a wonderful teacher simply because her strict homework deadlines didn’t work for our family’s routine. Clear, supportive communication with parents is essential.

Final Thought

Despite the trial and error, the convenience of online learning far outweighs the drawbacks. In our experience, kids’ needs change every 12 to 18 months as they grow. Don’t be afraid to re-evaluate, try new trial classes, and adjust your approach as your child enters new developmental stages!

線上學校列表 List of Online Chinese Schools Below:

美國 United States

1. Mandarin Mommy & Me

2. Motherly Notes Chinese

3. Little Thinkers Mandarin School 莉亞中文小學

4. 白雲華語學苑

5. You & Me Mandarin

歐洲 Europe

1. Mandarin Go 中文好好玩

2. 兔子老師的中文小屋 Teacher Rabbit’s Chinese Class

日本/台灣 Japan/Taiwan

1. 天天華語 Tentenkid

2. 一心中文學堂 YIXIN Chinese School

3. 蒔語中文 ShihYu Mandarin

這個秋天，仁雅學坊將有很多新的紐約實體課，雖然上面介紹了很多線上課，但我覺得如果家長有資源的話，實體課更能感受到語言的互動與學習的樂趣。

This fall, Ren Ya Learning is launching several new in-person classes in New York! While online classes are great (as shared above), I personally believe that if you have access to local resources, in-person learning offers a level of interaction and joy that's hard to replicate on a screen.

Creative Art in Mandarin 9/13-11/1 Sundays 10:30am-12pm

在親子美學工作坊非常受小朋友喜歡的Cathy老師，將在秋天帶另一系列八堂課的台灣文化美術手作課，讓海外的小朋友也可以藉由這堂課，認識台灣爸爸媽媽小時候的記憶點!

第一週 9/13 鐵路文化：打造專屬的台鐵便當

第二週 9/20 中秋節：和玉兔一起漫遊月光下

第三週 9/27 波浪鼓：用彩繪敲響童年的節奏

第四週 10/4 廟宇與傳說：創作自己的神明角色

第五周 10/11 國慶節：為台灣設計一張歡慶明信片

第六周 10/18 茶文化：畫出屬於台灣茶的香氣

第七周 10/25 皮影戲：讓色彩為故事發光

第八周 11/1 傳統市場：熱鬧海鮮攤開張！

Week 1 (9/13): Railway Culture: Design a Taiwan Railway Bento The railway bento is a beloved travel memory in Taiwan.

Week 2 (9/20): Mid-Autumn Festival: Moonlight Wandering with Jade Rabbit Beyond mooncakes, what are the legends of this festival?

Week 3 (9/27): Pellet Drums: Paint the Rhythm of Childhood Introduce your child to Taiwan's classic retro toy, the pellet drum.

Week 4 (10/4) Temple Gods & Legends: Create Your Own Deity.

Week 5 (10/11): National Day: Design a Festive Postcard for Taiwan Celebrating Double Tenth Day.

Week 6 (10/18): Tea Culture: Paint the Aroma of Taiwanese Tea Discover Taiwan's rich tea heritage through storytelling.

Week 7 (10/25): Shadow Puppetry: Let Colors Light Up the Story Kids will explore the magic of traditional shadow plays.

Week 8 (11/1): Traditional Markets: The Lively Seafood Stall is Open! Experience the warmth and energy of Taiwan's open-air markets.

Sign Up Creative Art in Mandarin

中文卡拉OK Mandarin Karaoke 11/8-12/13
Sundays 10:30am-12pm

藉由唱歌學語文，這已經不是小朋友的專屬學習方式，其實在小學或是國中，唱流行樂也是練習中文的好辦法，我們將會把卡拉ｏｋ帶入教室裡，讓小朋友拿起麥克風，用中文唱出爸媽也喜歡的中文流行歌！

Learning language through singing isn't just for young children. In fact, singing pop music is also a great way for elementary and middle school students to practice Chinese. We will bring karaoke into the classroom, letting kids pick up the microphone and sing Chinese pop songs that even parents love!

Sign Up Mandarin Karaoke

Follow My Social Media as I am flying to Taiwan tonight! Will share more at those two places!
今晚我帶孩子回台灣參加夏令營，想知道更多海外學中文的資源嗎? Follow 我的社群帳號!

IG & Facebook :)

- Grace

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在思考這個問題時，我在想如果孩子對「學中文」的印象是不斷抄寫生字，或是被家長罵「說中文!」，我想學中文就不酷吧，最近在我的線上、實體讀書會上的一個小朋友，這位小朋友的媽媽和我分享，她女兒特別喜歡上周末中文學校，也很喜歡寫中文學校的作業，這個少見的例子，讓我非常好奇: 這位台裔第三代是上一般的私立英文學校，回家後，小朋友有各種不同的中文線上課，包括上我和其他父母帶領的線上讀書會，小朋友的二代媽媽也盡量每天用閃卡練習中文生字，這位媽媽也很用心，我最一開始和他們認識是因為她在網路上找到我的實體讀書會，她就很積極帶她女兒來參加，後來我辦的其他中文活動，她們也都會來參加，所以這位小朋友有很豐富的中文學習環境，中文口語流利，閱讀目前在初級橋梁書等級，也因為她對中文的掌握是很不錯的，她去周末中文學校時，她覺得上課的課程是很簡單，考試也都能考一百分，這使她對她自己中文有自信，雖然我沒聽她說，但我能感受到她覺得學中文是一件很不錯的事。

在同樣的情形，我也在我女兒看到，因為使用基礎漢字五百，她認字程度已比她在中文沉浸式學校的同學認的字多很多，過去兩年也可以自己看台灣國小的橋梁書，所以她對中文的掌握也是相當有掌握的，對於要繼續學習中文的各種知識，她也都相當願意，因為她對自己的中文程度是有自信的。

也因為看了這兩個例子，讓我思考孩子會覺得酷的東西，除了像是很多同學會一起瘋的歌曲或是玩具，另一種孩子會覺得酷的事情，就是他們覺得自己有自信的部分，像我兒子對數學特別有興趣，常常可以一點就通，有了一些自信後，他就更願意做數學題目，也更願意去學習更難的數學觀念。

有些父母可以會覺得說，我孩子本來中文就差，怎麼可能會有自信，他連最基本的對話都不行。這件事我其實也碰過，有一次在美術館帶親子美學工作坊，我那一組最先看到的是國旗，但小朋友可能一時忘了「國旗」這個詞彙，所以一時講不出來，後來馬上就聽到孩子的家長有點嫌棄地說，怎麼連「國旗」都不知道? 但後來和那位孩子互動時，我發現孩子的中文理解力很不錯，也都很願意嘗試用中文講話，並沒有家長講的那麼差，但就因為孩子忘記國旗怎麼說，家長就覺得孩子中文程度很不好。

後來和父母在聊天時，父母說孩子小時候都講中文，但去小學後就改講英文，家長不知道怎麼辦，我後來思考，如果孩子說出錯誤的中文就被家長糾正，孩子的自信心是不是就被刷掉? 而且孩子沒有更多中文的學習，對於中文的掌握力只會愈來愈弱，那孩子就會更不願意講。

這篇是在討論給孩子中文的自信心，讓他們對中文的掌握力高，他們才會覺得中文是一件酷的事，而孩子對中文的自信心，也是父母可以給予的，當孩子一講中文，父母就讚賞、給予正面的回饋，有些父母做更多的獎勵，像是有實際的獎勵制度，孩子就更可能使用中文，但這前提是，孩子有持續的學習中文，他們的中文學習管道是多元(線上課、周末中文學校、參加中文活動等)，讓他們有機會學到更多詞彙，也有機會在不同學習時段時，可以練習與使用那些新學的詞彙。

學中文我想對某些小朋友已經是一件「酷的事」，但這都是父母不放棄地持續找方法讓孩子學中文，當孩子的中文達到一個程度，孩子就可以回台灣自由地參加當地的夏令營、可以去電影院看中文卡通電影、可以幫忙別人當翻譯，這就不只是酷了，這讓中文成為孩子的生活一部分。

When I decided to start my business in late March, I was lucky enough to connect with Angie, the founder of Boba Chinese. Her Threads posts on bilingualism always make me reflect on the journey of raising bilingual kids abroad. During our very first chat, she told me, “Let’s make Chinese cool again.”

That sentence made me pause. I thought about my own two kids. Did they think Chinese was cool? To kids, “cool” means something new and exciting—something they naturally want to be a part of. If a child’s only impression of Chinese is endless character writing or parents snapping at them to “Speak Chinese!”, then it definitely isn’t cool.

Recently, a mom in one of my book clubs shared that her daughter loves her weekend Chinese school and enjoys doing her homework. This third-generation Taiwanese American girl goes to a private English school, but her mom creates a rich learning environment at home. They do online classes, attend my book clubs, and practice flashcards daily. Because her Chinese is so strong, she feels confident at weekend school and aces her tests. That confidence makes her feel like Chinese is something special.

I see the same thing in my own daughter. After using Sagebooks, her character recognition surpassed her peers at her Chinese immersion school. She can read Taiwanese bridge books on her own, and because she feels capable, she is eager to keep learning.

Kids find things cool when they feel confident in them. My son loves math for this exact reason. Because he gets it, he has the confidence to tackle harder problems.

Some parents might think, “My kid can’t even hold a basic conversation, how can they have confidence?” I once hosted a museum workshop where a child forgot the Mandarin word for “national flag.” Her parent immediately sighed and said, “How do you not even know that?” But as I kept interacting with the child, I realized her comprehension was great and she was eager to try. The parent’s reaction was chipping away at her confidence. When kids get corrected every time they make a mistake, they lose confidence and shut down.

To make Chinese cool, we need to build our children’s confidence. This starts with us. We need to praise and validate them whenever they speak Chinese. At the same time, we need to provide diverse learning pathways—online classes, weekend schools, and cultural events—so they can continually build and practice their vocabulary.

For many kids, Chinese is already becoming a cool thing. But it takes parents who refuse to give up and who keep finding creative ways to support them. Once a child reaches a certain level of fluency, they can seamlessly join summer camps in Taiwan, watch cartoons in Mandarin, or act as translators. At that point, it is no longer just “cool” —— Chinese simply becomes a natural part of who they are.

接下來仁雅學坊的暑期課程和工作坊

Upcoming Ren Ya Classes & Workshops

• 大都會博物館的親子美學工作坊 Mandarin Family Art Workshop 7/12(2 spots left) & 8/8

• Creative Art in Mandarin 7/19 (1 spot left) (Manhattan) & 8/1 (Downtown Brooklyn)

• Mandarin in Action 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1

• (Last spot left) Fall Afterschool at Downtown Brooklyn

Stay cool!
Grace

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在海外學中文其實是一條漫長又不見得很多人支持的一件事，有時候是環境不友善，可能是你和孩子講中文時，旁邊有異樣眼光，也可能是，因為另一半的親戚不會中文，不喜歡你和孩子講他們聽不懂的語言，我自己也有住在美國的台灣長輩不支持我教孩子中文，有時候你會覺得很洩氣，好像全世界都不懂你為什麼要做這件事。

英文有一句話說”拉拔一個孩子長大，需要一整個村子的努力”，我覺得要讓海外孩子學中文，需要一群人的支持、鼓勵才走得遠，下面是這些年，我為了創造支持自己繼續讓孩子學中文所做的不同努力，這裡不見得每個父母都做的到，但我希望下面其中一件可以給你啟發:

I was chatting with a supportive mom last night who admires how some of us consistently share our Chinese learning journeys. She mentioned that just managing her own kids takes all her energy, leaving no time to post. I told her that sharing resources actually brings more parents into my circle to exchange their own tips. That community energy is exactly what keeps me going.

Raising bilingual kids abroad is a long, often isolating road. Sometimes the environment feels unsupportive. You might get weird looks speaking Chinese in public, or your non-Chinese-speaking in-laws might feel left out. Even some of my own Taiwanese elders in the U.S. discouraged me. It can be incredibly frustrating, making you feel like the whole world is questioning your choices.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I truly believe that keeping our kids connected to Chinese requires a supportive community to go the distance. Over the years, I have worked hard to build that village for my own family. While you do not have to try everything on this list, I hope at least one of these ideas inspires you:

1. Follow 自己喜歡的網紅，和他們私下互動:

   對於這件事，我是受惠的那邊，我目前有好幾個住在不同州的家長，都是因為他們直接私訊我，和我分享他們上網課或是夏令營的經驗，這些家長很多從來都沒見過，但都是為孩子學中文在努力，所以每次聊到類似話題，大家都聊得很起勁!

   Slide into the DMs of your favorite creators:

   I have personally been on the receiving end of this blessing. I now talk regularly with several parents across different states who originally reached out to me via DM to share their kids’ online class or summer camp experiences. Even though we have never met in person, we are all working toward the same goal of raising bilingual kids, so we always have a blast chatting whenever these topics come up.

2. 在中文學校當任志工:

   我從去年開始在孩子沉浸式中文學校的家長會擔任職位，義工性質的幫助學校募款、辦活動、當中文翻譯等等，一般人會覺得這好像很多事，但每當我幫忙愈多，我就更了解一個孩子在海外學中文成功需要什麼元素。當我更認識其他也是想讓孩子中文流利的家庭時，我會聽到每個家庭的不同作法，這對自己在家還可以做什麼而有所啟發。仁雅的線上讀書會也有兩位自願來帶讀書會的義工媽媽，一位媽媽和我表示，她在帶讀書會時，也會省思自己教孩子中文的方式，經由看其他孩子的學習模式，改變或是升級自己教的方式。

   Volunteer at a Chinese school:

   Last year, I joined the PTA board at my child’s Chinese immersion school. I help with fundraising, organizing events, and translating. While it sounds like a lot of work, diving in has actually helped me understand exactly what it takes for a child to successfully learn Chinese abroad. Connecting with other families who want their kids to be fluent has inspired fresh ideas for what I can do at home. Even for our Ren Ya online book club, we have two volunteer moms who stepped up to lead sessions. One of them told me that leading the group forces her to reflect on her own parenting, allowing her to adapt and upgrade her teaching style by watching how other kids learn.

3. 分享自身經歷:

   分享自己小孩學中文經歷的家長其實比我想像的少，而且很容易斷掉，尤其孩子到了國小中年級以上，孩子如果沒繼續學中文，家長就不會繼續分享了，幾年前，我開始寫我的部落格(已沒更新)，其實就是發現我孩子這一屆，很少看到其他家長分享，與其等別人分享，我想試著分享自己的方法，看能不能和其他人互動，後來我發現在臉書分享有更多反饋，所以才在最近開了粉專，同時也看到一些家長在分享自身經歷，彼此互相打氣，讓大家可以繼續走下去!

   Share your own journey:

   I started a blog because I noticed a total lack of shared experiences for my child’s age group. Instead of waiting for someone else, I decided to share my own methods to see if I could connect with others. I eventually realized Facebook gets much more engagement, which is why I recently launched my page. Seeing other parents share their stories helps us cheer each other on and keep moving forward.

   我最近follow的新家長 New parents I found recently that share their bilingual journey:

   1. 暖日光 Warm Days with Mama

   2. 蘇菲的慢學日常

4. 舉辦中文相關的活動:

   對於中文不是母語的家庭，可能要舉辦中文相關活動會有點困難，但就算是中文是母語的家庭，也不見得會想要辦活動。我在孩子小的時候，到處尋尋覓覓中文活動，希望除了家裡，孩子還可以在外面聽到中文，使用中文溝通，但其實中文活動就算在紐約也非常少，所以在兩年前，我自己試辦了小朋友的中文讀書會，藉由一個朋友拉一個朋友，在第一年內，我和其他媽媽辦了五場活動，提供孩子可以使用中文的活動，也讓其他媽媽互相交流資訊。

   Host Chinese-centric events

   Hosting Chinese events can be tough if Chinese is not your native language, but even native-speaking families rarely want to take it on. When my kids were little, I searched everywhere for Chinese activities so they could hear and use the language outside the house. Even in a place like New York, those events are incredibly rare. Two years ago, I decided to pilot a Chinese book club for kids. Through word of mouth, a few other moms and I managed to host five events in our first year, giving our kids a space to use Chinese while the parents swapped resources.

5. 錄製podcast:

   訪問走過來的前輩: 在讓孩子學中文這條路上，前面幾年我是非常沒有方向，不知道自己在家做得對不對，無法想像孩子有一天會流利講中文，後來我有幸有了在換日線寫文章的機會，讓我訪問到Oliver 前輩，也是後來開啟 Our Chinese & English Journey podcast的一個契機，在這個podcast中，我訪問了很多不同父母，我在寫訪問問題時，思索他們的成功秘密，通常錄完podcast後，我會和來賓繼續交流討論不同階段的困難，他們的解決之道是什麼，我常常覺得在錄製podcast，我自己就是收穫最多的人。因為podcast是免費的，所以容易轉寄給其他家長聽，這麼一來父母也受惠到，也會有聽眾直接和我道謝，謝謝我製作這樣的podcast。

   Launch a podcast to interview seasoned parents:

   During our first few years on this bilingual journey, I felt completely lost. I had no idea if I was doing things right at home and could not picture my kids ever speaking Chinese fluently. Later, I got the opportunity to write for Crossing (換日線), which allowed me to interview a seasoned parent named Oliver Tu. That experience inspired me to launch the Our Chinese & English Journey podcast. I have since interviewed many different parents, and writing the interview questions forces me to figure out the secrets to their success. I usually stay on the line after recording to chat about roadblocks and solutions for different stages, so I often feel like I gain the most from these episodes. Since the podcast is free, it is easy for parents to forward to friends, creating a win-win where listeners often reach out just to say thank you.

上述的所有方法，其實原則大概只有一個，就是主動付出或是分享，這樣有類似目標的家庭才會出現，然後一起交流，所以我鼓勵在這個困難的雙語路途上，嘗試分享你們在做的事情，或是主動和你喜歡的父母做進一步交流，可能會發展出想不到的友誼!

Ultimately, all of these methods come down to one simple principle: taking the initiative to give or share. When you put yourself out there, you naturally attract families with the same goals, creating opportunities to connect and swap ideas. If you are navigating this challenging bilingual journey, I highly encourage you to start sharing what you are doing at home, or simply reach out to parents you admire. You might be surprised by the incredible friendships that come out of it!

過去幾個禮拜仁雅學坊辦了實體讀書會、在Passport to Taiwan 擺攤、我辦漢字悅讀課的試課，也在大都會博物館做了有關花的親子美學工作坊，也在公園辦了中文故事時間。

Over the past few weeks, Ren Ya has been incredibly busy. We hosted an in-person book club, ran a booth at Passport to Taiwan, and held a trial session for my Hanzi Reading Lab class. We also put together a Mandarin Family Art Workshop about flowers at The Met, and my daughter, Little bun, did a Chinese story time in the park.

接下來仁雅學坊的暑期課程和工作坊

Upcoming Ren Ya Classes & Workshops

• 大都會博物館的親子美學工作坊 Mandarin Family Art Workshop 7/12 & 8/8

• Creative Art in Mandarin 7/19 (Manhattan) & 8/1 (Downtown Brooklyn)

• Mandarin in Action 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1

• Fall Afterschool at Downtown Brooklyn

希望每個家庭都可以找到屬於自己的同溫層!歡迎找我聊聊!

I hope every family can find their own tribe on this journey! Feel free to reach out at FB or IG.

Enjoy summer weather!
Grace

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With the New York State 3rd-grade exams finally behind us, I’ve been reflecting on the huge leap my own children took this year moving from basic phonics to the complex essay writing and critical expression. If English is taking up so much space, how do we make room for Mandarin? This is what inspired this newsletter on the "Golden Window" of Mandarin learning.

下面是仁雅學坊接下來一連串的活動，期待和大家相見!
Below is a lineup of upcoming events at Ren Ya Learning. We look forward to seeing you there!

1. 5/17 Mandarin Family Art Workshop at the Met

2. 5/21,5/28 Online Chinese Book Club (looking for one more kid to join)

3. 5/23 Hanzi Reading Lab Introductory Class

4. 5/24 Mandarin Art Workshop at Passport to Taiwan

5. 5/30 Little Chinese In-Person Book Club

6. 6/13 Mandarin Family Art Workshop at the Met

7. 6/14 Mandarin Family Art Workshop at Brooklyn Museum

2020年，我訪問了一位台灣小留學生的爸爸,Oliver Tu,當時我孩子有兩歲，對於他們如何在美國長大而且中文能夠流利，我根本不知道要如何做，忽然有一天，我在各處搜尋中，找到 Oliver的中英雙語育子經驗談部落格，部落格裡面我記得很清楚的是海外孩子學中文的時間表。

Back in 2020, when my kids were just toddlers, I felt completely lost on how to raise them to be truly bilingual in the US. Then I discovered Oliver Tu’s blog, Raising Bilingual and Biliterate Children in Chinese and English. His timeline for heritage language development became the roadmap I desperately needed.

這個時間分成四個階段:
Oliver breaks down 4 stages for Mandarin Learning:

第一階段 0-4歲|難度-中等:

這一個過程所需要的就是大量提供中文環境，主要和孩子持續講中文、找會講中文的小朋友一起玩、看中文卡通、聽中文故事。這個階段，我當時也確實買了很多點讀筆，放了Bluey、Gabby’s Dollhouse、Octonauts、Hilda 中文發音卡通給孩子看，家裡訂過巧虎雜誌(已停刊)、小行星雜誌，買過巧虎的DVD、注音拼音套組，當然不能缺少的台灣Food超人的互動式有聲書，配合孩子去上中文幼稚園，在這階段，我當時不覺得太難，只要把家裡中文環境盡量提供，孩子的母語保持在中文，我身邊也看到很多家庭成功。

Stage 1: Ages 0–4 | Difficulty: Moderate

At this stage, it’s all about immersion. For us, that meant a home filled with Mandarin: playdates with Chinese-speaking friends, magazines like Little Planet, and plenty of interactive “Food Superman” sound books from Taiwan. I filled their screen time with Mandarin dubs of favorites like Bluey、Gabby’s Dollhouse、Octonauts and Hilda and sent them to a Chinese preschool. Looking back, this phase felt manageable. As long as you consistently provide the environment, keeping Mandarin as their “mother tongue” is a goal many families can successfully reach.

第二階段 4-8歲 (黃金時期)|難度-高:

這一個階段，就我的兩個孩子今年八歲，我深深覺得四到八歲真的是海外孩子學中文的黃金時期，因為有持續推孩子的中文閱讀、中文口說的家長，到八歲時，都已經到比較穩健的狀態，而持比較放鬆的家長，我身邊很多孩子已不對父母說中文，已經放棄中文的也不少，只靠中文沉浸式學校或是周末中文學校學習中文，孩子只會念教科書的課文，但一般繪本、橋梁書都讀不起來，這樣的孩子也相當多，這是因為在這個階段，多數孩子都已經到公私立小學就讀，英文的環境大量增加，同儕溝通語言幾乎99%都是英文，在學校英文環境耳濡目染後，我鮮少聽到孩子英文口說不急劇增加。

過去兩年，我觀察到當孩子對英文掌握程度愈高，閱讀中文書就會愈沮喪，因為不像英文只要口語能唸得出來，一本書就可以念下去，中文字需要認得差不多要500字左右，才能比較輕鬆的念繪本和初階橋梁書，要到中階或是進階橋梁書，認字能力就要增加到800~2000字左右，所以常常美國長大的孩子的英文書可能已經在念哈利波特，但中文書還在繪本階段。

也就是這樣的觀察以及我自身的經驗，其實這一階段真正的難處是如何平衡孩子的中英文程度，因為英文衝太快，已經成為孩子的主要口說與閱讀的語言，中文很常會被拋棄，因為中文要會讀、要會寫，要會認字、要理解書面語(只在書本裡看到的詞彙、沒有在一般對話裏頭)、要認識成語，太花時間!

Stage 2: Ages 4–8 (Golden Window) | Difficulty: High

This stage is the true “Golden Window.” As children enter elementary school, English quickly becomes their dominant language for both school and friends. I’ve observed that if a child’s English reading level skyrockets while their Mandarin stays stagnant, the “literacy gap” creates immense frustration. In English, they might be ready for Harry Potter, but in Mandarin, they are still stuck on basic picture books.

The real challenge here is balance. Families who reach stability by age eight are those who consistently integrated Mandarin reading and speaking into their daily lives. Without this active effort, many children begin to refuse the language entirely, finding the “work” of Mandarin, memorizing characters and formal written terms too difficult compared to the ease of English. For heritage families, this stage is about ensuring Mandarin remains a functional part of their world before English takes over completely.

講了那麼多，到底在4~8歲這個金黃時期，要怎麼做呢? 目前我看到最有成效的是混和不同學習方式，確保孩子在聽、說、讀、理解力、詞彙都可以持續成長。

幾個實際例子給大家:

1. 周末中文學校 + 周間線上中文課 + 家裡字卡練習:對於周末中文學校，我在上一篇也提到，對於中文學習的速度是比較不夠的，在我的讀書會其中一個家庭，他們就是周末去中文學校，把周末中文學校當作孩子可以社交、練習口說的場合，周間一般學校後，回家上線上中文課，聚焦在中文認字和閱讀，家裡也配合練習字卡，持續增加認字能力。

2. 在家自學認字 + 在家閱讀 + 一年回台灣兩三次:有些家庭不喜歡上課，所以在家用基礎漢字500或是趣味識字學習認字，在家大量陪讀、共讀，再來就是頻繁的回台灣，或是每次待在台灣的時間是比較長的，讓孩子可以完全沉浸在中文環境，吸收以及使用中文。

3. 對於家裡不講中文，混和學習方式包括有家裡有中文保姆、只講中文的長輩可以照顧孩子來增進中文口說能力，再加上中文沉浸式學校的持續學習，中文也能達到流利的地步。

To maximize the “Golden Window” (ages 4–8), a hybrid learning model is the most effective way to balance listening, speaking, and literacy. Here are four successful strategies I’ve observed:

• Weekend School + Weekday Online Lessons + Flashcards: Many families use weekend schools primarily for social interaction and speaking, while using weekday online lessons and home flashcards to focus specifically on intensive character recognition.

• Homeschooling + Extended Travel: For a less formal route, families can use character-learning kits like Sagebook500 or Fun with Chinese and co-reading at home, paired with frequent or long-term trips to Taiwan to “reset” the child’s immersion and natural usage.

• Support for Non-Speaking Households: Families who don’t speak Mandarin at home often succeed by involving Mandarin-speaking nanny or grandparents alongside a steady immersion school curriculum to ensure conversational fluency.

第三階段 8~12歲|難度-非常高和第四階段 12~18歲|難度-中等，這兩個階段因為我們還沒經歷過，建議大家可以閱讀Oliver的blog，通常到了這個些階段，都是得堆疊在之前所建立的基礎上，意思也是如果錯過4~8歲的黃金時期，之後就會是用全然不同方法去學中文，這包括高中拿中文課當作foreign language requirement，大學可以選修中文課，我也訪問過一位在美國大學四年把中文從零到可以用中文工作的程度，而那樣的學習，就是完全依靠學生自己的內在動力。

有很多家長不想推中文推的那麼多，他們期望孩子在長大後可以自己去學習中文，就我認識不同的台裔二代，真正到長大再去好好把中文學好的，不是沒有，只是極少數，也就是看到這樣的趨勢，我還是想趁孩子還願意學習時，也就是4~8歲的黃金時期，把他們的根基打好，所以對於如果未來需要再重新學習時，可以學得更快。

Regarding Stage 3 (Ages 8–12) and Stage 4 (12–18), these levels are incredibly challenging and rely entirely on the foundation built earlier. If the “Golden Window” of ages 4–8 is missed, learning shifts to a completely different model—like taking Mandarin as a foreign language in high school or college. While it’s possible to reach professional fluency starting from zero as an adult, it requires immense internal motivation.

Many parents hope their children will simply choose to learn later in life. However, in my experience with second-generation families, very few actually do. This is why I focus so much on the 4–8 age range; I want to build a foundation now so that whether they continue learning or choose to “re-learn” later, they have a root system that makes the process faster and easier.

繁體中文兒童書籍租閱→仁雅悅讀

我在過去三年中，為了達到孩子可以中文自主閱讀的程度，一箱一箱扛書到美國，因為我相信紙本書還是孩子學習閱讀的方法，我喜歡看到他們拿一本書窩在沙發的一角閱讀，但是我常常看到很多家庭在孩子長大後，一本本、一套套的書賣出去，但我總是想是不是有更好的方法可以讓這些書流傳下去，這個租閱服務的想法才產生。

要怎麼租?

仁雅悅讀是訂閱制的書籍出租服務，目前試營運是$25/月，目前只服務在美國國內的家庭，家長或是孩子可以在我們網站選擇想要的套書，我們這邊會在48小時之內寄出，寄出的盒子裡會包括回郵標籤(shipping label)，在套書看完之後，把書放回原本的盒子，然後貼上回郵標籤寄出來，一旦我們收到回郵箱子已經在往我們的路上，家長或是孩子即可繼續挑選下一套書。

我們第一批試營運的套書是提供已經給念基礎漢字500、或是已經在上線上課程、周末中文學校，有在學注音、認字但還沒開始練習閱讀的孩子，這一批初階橋梁書都有一個特點，字體比一般書籍來的大，字和字之間的距離較寬，適合剛剛開始閱讀的孩子。

有興趣的家庭，歡迎參加仁雅悅讀的試營運!

Traditional Chinese Children’s Book Rental → Ren Ya Reads

Over the last three years, I’ve lugged crates of books to the U.S. to help my children reach independent literacy. I still believe in the magic of a child curled up on the sofa with a physical book. However, seeing families constantly buy and then sell off sets of books made me wonder: isn’t there a better way to keep these stories in circulation? This is how Ren Ya Reads was born.

How it Works: Ren Ya Reads is a subscription-based rental service. For our pilot launch, the fee is $25/month (currently serving U.S. households only). Simply select a book set on our website, and we’ll ship it within 48 hours. When you’re finished, place the books back in the original box, attach the included prepaid shipping label, and send them back. As soon as your return is in transit, you can select your next set!

Our Collection: Our first pilot batch is curated for children who have completed basic character programs (like Sagebook 500) or are currently in Mandarin classes. These “Bridge Books” feature larger fonts and wider spacing, perfect for early readers practicing their character recognition and Zhuyin.

Join the Ren Ya Reads pilot program today!

Have a great weekend! 周末愉快!

Warmly,
Grace

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It’s hard to believe May is already here! While the new leaves in New York have brought some tough allergy days for me and the kids, the warmer weather is a welcome change. This newsletter is a bit longer than usual because I have so many exciting updates to share—including a series of upcoming Ren Ya Learning events in New York. Registration is officially open for all programs. I’ve included all the details at the end and truly hope to see you and your family there!

在上一個電子報，我談了讓海外孩子學中文成功的秘訣，秘訣就是每個家庭對於家中決定的優先順序，就我過去8年經驗來看，把中文學習擺在比較前面的家庭，能保持中文程度的機率就比較高，但所謂把中文學習擺在前面，那是什麼意思? 可以怎麼做? 我時常碰到家長和我說，他們住在華人很少的地方，根本沒有那個環境，但我相信環境是可以創造出來的，就是看家長對這件事的決心和毅力!

In my last newsletter, I discussed how the secret to successfully raising a bilingual child in a non-native environment lies in a family’s priorities. In my experience, families who prioritize Mandarin are much more likely to maintain a high level of proficiency. But what does 'prioritizing' actually look like in practice? I often hear from parents who feel limited because they don't live in a high-density Chinese community, but I truly believe an immersive environment can be created anywhere—it simply takes a parent's persistence and determination

對於如何打造海外孩子中文學習環境，我想大家第一個想到的就是要去哪裡學中文，在美國學中文可以分為下列幾類:

When it comes to creating a Chinese learning environment for our children here in the US, the first thing that comes to mind is choosing the right school.

1. 周末中文學校: 這個可能是大部分第一代移民父母會直接想到的，雖然有蠻大群第二三代台美父母覺得周末中文學校學不到什麼東西，但在Raising Bilingual Children in Chinese & English就有討論過這一題，討論的結果是周末中文學校提供的是一個家庭活動，有些家長會義務幫忙學校事務，在節慶時學校也會辦相關的活動，小朋友可能在自己的小學沒有亞裔同學，而周末中文學校帶給他們的就是亞裔歸屬感，雖然小朋友彼此都講英文，但在那裏交到的朋友，我有見過已經是成人的台美二代，仍和中文學校時期的朋友保持聯絡。至於哪一個中文學校比較好? 之前在臉書社團也有類似討論，有家長特別推崇慈濟的中文學校，媽媽表示慈濟的中文學校學生人數多，分班比較細，家長也很熱情參與學校活動。如果說周末中文學校出來的，中文必定不太好，我自己就訪問過這位大學生Taliya，從小學一路念中文學校到高中畢業，訪談中她中文流利，後來我在工作時也碰到其他中文學校出來的同事，中文也非常流利，但這兩個朋友都有一個共通點，就是兩個人都會和父母講中文。

   Weekend Chinese School:　While some second- or third-generation Taiwanese American parents feel these schools offer limited language gains, this type of the school provides a sense of community and cultural belonging. For children who may not have many Asian peers at their regular schools, weekend programs offer a space to build lifelong friendships. Within local parent communities, schools like Tzu Chi are often highlighted for their large student bodies, refined class placements, and highly engaged parents. While it is common to assume these programs don't lead to high proficiency, I have met students and colleagues who graduated from these schools with fluent Mandarin. The common thread among those who succeed is consistent communication in Mandarin with their parents at home.

2. 中文沉浸式學校: 目前全美有大約396中文沉浸式學校，我孩子目前在這樣的學校就學，這種學校如果是依據正規的沉浸式教育，每天有一半以上的時間是用中文教不同科目，另一半的時間則用英文教課，這種學校在某些區域就特別熱門，有很多人想破頭想進去，我之前在換日線有寫過對這種學校的心得，這種學校每天都有會有中文課，或是用中文學其他科目，所以一般來說這種學校出來的學生的中文會比周末中文學校出來的學生的中文會好一些些，主要原因是這種學校投入在中文的時間還比較多一點，如果是我自己觀察不同家庭上這種學校的心得，聽到的都是家裡有講中文的還是會比家裡不講中文的中文進步容易一些，所以總歸一句，就算進去了中文沉浸式學校，家裡的聽說中文環境還是不能少的。

   
   Mandarin Immersion Schools: There are currently around 396 Chinese immersion schools across the U.S., including the one my children attend. In a standard immersion model, students spend at least half the day learning various subjects in Mandarin and the other half in English. These programs are highly sought after in certain areas because they provide daily language exposure. Generally, students from these schools achieve higher proficiency than those in weekend programs simply because they spend significantly more time using the language. However, based on my observations, students from families who speak Mandarin at home still progress much more easily. Even with the benefit of an immersion school, maintaining a supportive listening and speaking environment at home remains essential.

3. 中文課後班: 我身邊有家長不想讓孩子去中文沉浸式學校，但會積極地送孩子去中文課後班，這似乎也是一個方法，我看過有一些小朋友在中文課後班學得很好，但我也看過孩子到了四五年級時很厭倦中文課後班，中文也沒什麼進步，學了就忘，不過這種課程的好處是，讓小朋友每天都接觸中文，所以如果是規劃合宜，小朋友的中文還是有可能會持續進步的。
   

   Chinese Afterschool Programs: Some parents prefer sending their children to Chinese afterschool programs rather than full immersion schools. This can be an effective approach, as it ensures daily exposure to the language. While I have seen students thrive in these settings, others may become disengaged or see their progress stall by the 4th or 5th grade. Ultimately, if the curriculum is well-planned, these programs offer a great way for children to make steady, consistent progress in Mandarin.

4. 中文線上課: 自從疫情以來，線上課就成為學習中文的另一個主流，我在之前的電子報有提到三家很有名的線上學校，私下自己和家教老師一對一上課的也非常多，我們自己也是上中文沉浸式學校，再配上線上課來加強中文，線上課的好處是不需要出門就可以上，壞處就是隔著螢幕上課，能互動的方式還是少了一些，我自己的經驗是，上線上課還是得觀察孩子和老師的互動，如果孩子一直要逃跑，或是想找機會做別的事，那就可能需要重新評估是否該換其他老師上課。

   
   Mandarin Online Classes: Since the pandemic, online classes have become a mainstream option for learning Mandarin. Whether through well-known online schools or private one-on-one tutoring, this format offers the convenience of learning from home without a commute. My own children supplement their immersion schooling with online classes to further strengthen their skills. While convenient, the screen can sometimes limit physical interaction; in my experience, it’s crucial to observe your child’s engagement. If they are frequently distracted or trying to avoid the session, it may be time to re-evaluate the teaching style or consider a different instructor.

5. 自學: 蠻多有名的部落客都是自己教自己孩子中文，像我之前訪問過的安媽，還有前幾年有拍Youtube影片的自學在佳，我自己很喜歡但已經分享不多的Guavarama，還有很多分享自己教導孩子使用香港教材漢字五百的其他部落客，安媽算是唯一我看到因為自己非常愛讀中文書，所以每天用說故事的方式讓孩子學了2500個字，其他部落客很多都是在漢字五百之後就沒有更有系統地介紹如何讓孩子中文進步，唯一看到另一套系統化的教材是Kumon國語，這是台灣Kumon自行開發的一整套從學齡前到高中的中文教材，我在兩年前有拜訪他們在台北的辦公室，看了他們年齡比較小的教材，除此之外，看起來其他家庭都還是以台灣國語課本為教材居多。

   Homeschooling & Self-Study: Many well-known bloggers successfully teach their children Mandarin at home, such as 安媽, 自學在佳, and Guavarama. While 安媽 successfully helped her children learn over 2,500 characters through a shared love of daily storytelling, many families find it challenging to find a systematic roadmap after completing the Sagebooks 500 series. One comprehensive option is Kumon Mandarin (Taiwan), which provides a full curriculum from early childhood through high school. Outside of these specific systems, most families I follow continue to rely on standard Taiwanese textbooks as their primary resource.

我這幾年的感想是，學中文不能只靠一種方法、一個學校或是一堂課，學中文得需要更全面性，我讀書會上有家長送孩子到周末中文學校，平常上線上課，周末其他時間也會參加我辦的工作坊，也有家長是在家自學，但暑假回台灣滿滿一個多月，孩子可以一步步利用中文來享受自己喜歡的漫畫、卡通，甚至回台灣時，可以與當地小朋友交流、一起玩，這樣才能讓學中文永續下去，若你們還很煩惱要怎麼開始在海外學中文，我會建議從上述的幾個方式先開始，慢慢地每個家庭會找到適合自己的方式，希望孩子的中文能在父母支持下持續成長。

My takeaway from the past few years is that learning Mandarin cannot rely on a single method, school, or class. It requires a more holistic approach. Some families in my reading group combine weekend schools with online classes and my localized workshops, while others focus on homeschooling supplemented by immersive summer trips to Taiwan.

The goal is for children to eventually use Mandarin to enjoy their favorite comics and cartoons, or to connect and play with peers. This sense of connection is what makes language learning sustainable. If you are wondering how to start, I suggest exploring the methods mentioned above; every family eventually finds a rhythm that works for them. With parents' supports, I look forward to seeing your children’s Mandarin skills continue to grow.

仁雅學坊|這個月和下個月

1. 5/2 中文故事時間 Mandarin Story Time at Union Square Park

2. 5/17 大都會博物館的親子美學工作坊: Mandarin Family Art Workshop at The Met (Only 1 spot left)

3. 5/30 小小中文讀書會 Little Chinese Book Club returns!

4. 6/13 大都會博物館的親子美學工作坊: Mandarin Family Art Workshop at The Met (Only 3 spots left)

5. 6/14 親子美學工作坊 Mandarin Family Art Workshop at Brooklyn Museum

希望可以在大都會博物館看到你們! Look forward to seeing you at the Met!

Enjoy the weather!
Grace

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不知不覺我兩個孩子也八歲了，有時回想他們一出生時，我對他們可能不會中文的焦慮，代表著我會養大每天和我講英文的ABC/ABT，也是因為那股焦慮，我在網路上搜尋各種資料，訪問過曾經走過這條路的父母，甚至開了一個專門講海外孩子學中文的英文podcast, Our Chinese & English Journey,錄了三季的節目。有時有些家庭會怪罪家裡另一半不講中文而導致孩子不認識中文，但偏偏我認識不少家裡另一半完全不識中文，孩子仍然中文口語流利，有時大家怪大環境的強勢語言不是中文，就算孩子小的時候願意在家講中文，一旦去學校後就變講英文(或是其他國家的主要語言)，父母覺得沒有辦法改變大環境而就此放手。

但我在看成功的例子時，多年來看到一個不太會中文的白人爸爸，每天運用各種線上課程讓孩子大量接觸中文，這樣的大量接觸而使他在美國長大的白人孩子中文流利，也看到其他為孩子而孟母三遷的家長，這種家長就是就是要孩子去上中英雙語小學，後來我看了非常多不同的家庭組成，有些孩子有語言天分，有些也沒有語言天分，但這些成功讓海外孩子中文流利的家庭，他們的共通點就是他們都把「學中文」放在做任何選擇的最前面，也就是很多部落客會提到家中的優先順序 Priority。

我在兩年開始舉辦實體的小朋友中文童書分享會，這個少見的中文親子活動我一直希望有不同的背景的家庭來參加，有一次我特別提早邀請一個家長來參加，但在最後一刻，那位家長和我算如果孩子放棄去游泳課是多少多少錢，也因為如此而無法參加我們的分享會，但同時間在分享會上也有其他家長特別重視中文活動，也一樣上游泳課，當我和那位家長詢問哪一天可以來分享會時，家長會說他們在某個時段有游泳課，但可以請假之後補課，不管如何一定會想參加中文活動，因為她了解中文活動不是每周都有。

上面的例子可能非常因人/地而異，但這其實都反映出一個家庭會為「學中文」而做出什麼樣的調整，以至於孩子會接收到的中文頻率和exposure 會有明顯的不同，當家長愈有心在「學中文」上面，在提供孩子的相關資源、願意花在中文課程的費用以及在旅遊選擇上會做出的選擇，都和不把「學中文」排在家庭第一二順序的家庭會有很大的不同，而這些把「學中文」放在第一二個優先順序的家庭，家長做的決定都會無形之中累積孩子的中文背景知識，而這些決定，對於孩子的中文口說和繼續學中文的動機都很有幫助。

我自己其實也曾碰過很多抉擇的分岔路，像是到底要不要送孩子去非常遠的中文幼稚園? 或是該不該搬到雙語學校的學區裡? 每每有這些抉擇之前，我都會反問自己，如果孩子因為我沒有做這些幫助他們學中文的決定，而放棄學習中文而和我只講英文，我能不能接受? 每一次我內心的答案都是不能接受，也是在哪一刻，我意識到孩子「學中文」在我心中是放在非常前面的位子，而我們家很多決定也是圍繞在這個優先順序。

所以讓海外孩子把中文學成功的秘訣，並不是先天的家裡環境、或是父母本身會不會那個語言，而是父母對這件事的態度與決心，一旦一個家庭決定他們的優先順序，孩子上學校後，不管是對課後班的選擇，周末才藝課的選項，這些父母都會想盡辦法把中文加進去，像是找會中文的彈鋼琴老師，或是會說中文的游泳教練。

但我也了解有些家庭的特殊組成或是孩子先天個性的緣故，讓很多父母在很多掙扎之後而最終放棄中文，我尊重這些父母的決定，因為要在海外讓孩子中文流利，在父母身上確實要花非常多的心思與心力，所以我建議還在這條路上的家庭，可以和家裡的其他成員討論，到底「學中文」在你們家的優先順序是在哪裡，這樣可以更容易不帶後悔的繼續前進。

The secret to Chinese learning success for families living overseas

Before my kids were young, I lived in a state of constant anxiety. I was terrified of raising children who would only speak to me in English. To quiet that fear, I scoured the internet, interviewed veteran parents, and even recorded three seasons of my podcast, Our Chinese & English Journey.

Through those conversations, I realized that we blame a non-fluent partner, or we blame the “dominant language” of the school playground. But I’ve seen families where one parent doesn’t speak a word of Chinese, yet the kids are fluent. I’ve seen “modern-day Mencius’ mothers” move across the country just to be near a bilingual school.

The secret isn’t language talent or even the home environment. The secret is making “Learning Mandarin” a top priority in your family’s decision-making.

Imagine a rare Mandarin museum tour is scheduled at the same time as your child’s weekly swim lesson. Do you skip the pre-paid swim class for the rare language opportunity?

I’ve seen this play out many times. One parent might skip the Mandarin event because they don’t want to “waste” the money on the swim lesson. Another parent will make a point to attend the Mandarin event, saying, “We can do a make-up swim class later, but this Chinese workshop only happens once.”

This isn’t just about one weekend; it’s about a mindset. When Mandarin is a top priority, it changes everything. It changes how you spend your resources, where you travel, and even which piano teacher or swim coach you hire. Every small “yes” to a Mandarin-related choice builds the background knowledge and motivation your child needs to keep going.

Finding Your “Why”

Whenever I face a tough choice—like whether to move to a bilingual school district or endure a long commute to a specific preschool—I ask myself one question:

“If my child stops speaking Mandarin to me because I chose the easier path today, can I live with that?”

For me, the answer has always been no. That clarity makes the “hard” decisions much easier.

I deeply respect every family’s journey. Raising bilingual children abroad takes an immense amount of energy, and I know why many choose to let it go. But if you are still on this path, I encourage you to sit down with your family and ask: Where does Mandarin actually sit on our list of priorities? Once you define that, you can move forward with total confidence and zero regrets.

這個月我們閱讀什麼? What are we reading this month?

中高階(注音已經熟練，認字大約在750-1500字左右) Level: Intermediate-Advanced(Fluent in Zhuyin; recognizes approximately 750–1,500 characters)

小熊兄妺的點子屋套書 : C-Stems.com 中文童書網(US) 博客來(TW)

推薦原因:英文的chapter book很多都是很無俚頭，講學生如何在學校或是家裡搗蛋，但中文橋樑書不合邏輯又無俚頭的其實不多，而這一套剛好就是翻轉童話，講兩兄妹從外太空到地球生活的故事，我自己覺得故事很跳tone，很適合6~9歲喜歡silly 故事的小朋友!
Why I recommend it: While many American chapter books are famously silly and focus on school-day mischief, it is actually quite rare to find Chinese bridge books that embrace that same quirky, nonsensical humor. This series is a refreshing exception—a "fractured fairytale" about a brother and sister traveling from outer space to Earth. The plot is wonderfully offbeat and perfect for 6 to 9-year-olds who love a silly, imaginative story!

夏季線上課程推薦 Summer Online Program Recommendations

疫情之後，線上中文學習蓬勃發展，在我做完這一篇報導後，很開心看到不同線上學校開了不只是一般的中文課程，從中文程式設計課，到繪畫還有漢拚打字課，感覺海外孩子學習中文的路又更寬廣了!

1. Mandarin Mommy & Me: 我們前一陣子上他們的中文程式設計課，家裡雙寶非常喜歡，吵著要上下一期，這次暑假班，他們有了新課程「台灣動物探險隊」文化課，感覺很適合暑假沒有要台灣，但希望孩子藉由課程來認識台灣生態的家庭!

   We recently tried their Mandarin Coding Class, and my kids absolutely loved it—they’ve been begging to sign up for the next session! This summer, they are launching a new culture course called "Taiwan Animal Expedition." This seems like a perfect fit for families who aren't visiting Taiwan this summer but still want their children to connect with Taiwan’s unique ecosystem!

2. Motherly Notes: 美國中文線上教學始祖，一直很佩服創辦人Julie 的無限精力，這一次的暑期課程從創業家課程、新聞記者培訓、到1250中文字的快速養成班，我目前有在考慮讓小籠包上500~1000字的課程，增強一下他認字的能力!
   Their summer lineup is incredible—ranging from Entrepreneurship and Journalism workshops to their Fast-Track 1250 Characters course. I’m actually considering the 500–1000 character course for my own little one to help boost his recognition skills!

3. 莉亞中文小學堂:很開心他們家的暑期課程在我發出電子報的前一刻出來了，一直很希望他們會開比亮亮更高階的閱讀課，很開心終於看到他們在這暑假開了，這些年聽說很熱門的Procreate 電繪課也在這暑假繼續開課，有興趣的朋友，可以試試!
   I’m thrilled to they offer advanced reading class this summer. They are also continuing their popular Procreate Digital Illustration course, which has been a huge hit over the last few years. If you’re interested, definitely give them a try!

仁雅學坊|這個月

親子美學工作坊: 這周六4/18 我們將返回工作坊第一個博物館:Brooklyn Museum，在這場活動，我們將與不同家庭學習對稱的元素，只剩兩個名額，有興趣的家庭，歡迎報名!
This Saturday,4/18, we are heading back to where our workshops first began: the Brooklyn Museum! In this session, we’ll be exploring the elements of symmetry together with our fellow families. We have only two spots left—if you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to have you!

活動預告 Upcoming!

大都會博物館的親子美學工作坊: 5/17 & 6/13 開始報名了!
紐約的春天終於來了！當街道兩旁百花齊放時，我們想帶孩子進到大都會博物館，走進印象派展廳，看看大師們筆下的春天花卉在藝術上是如何呈現!

Mandarin Family Art Workshop: Discovering the Flowers of Impressionism at The Met: 5/17 & 6/13 registration is now open!
Now that spring is in full bloom across NYC, come see how the world’s greatest artists captured that same magic on canvas! Join us for an immersive Mandarin art tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We’ll explore Impressionist masterpieces, focusing on the beautiful flowers that define this era!

👉🏻報名連結 Sign up here

剛從台灣帶孩子參加僑委會戀念台灣時差的我，趁孩子睡覺時改快打完這篇電子報!好奇大家對這個電子報有什麼想法，歡迎留言!
I just got back from Taiwan with the kids for the OCAC’s Short-term In-school Program. Still battling the jet lag, but I wanted to hurry and finish this newsletter while the kids are asleep! I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this edition; leave me a comment !

紐約凌晨3:43 | 3:43am in NY
Grace

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2020起，我在換日線開始分享各種文章，這一兩年也幾乎都在撰寫海外孩子學中文相關的文章，但寫著寫著，我不確定我的觀眾群，是不是還是在那裡，也想對自己寫的內容更有掌握權，於是那天在脆上詢問其他海外家長在哪裡閱讀新資訊時，有一個家長littlewesay提起電子報這個形式，讓我躍躍欲試，我對電子報並不陌生，只是內容是什麼? 我想要分享的，和其他人想看的是不是一樣? 這個就得靠大家的反饋，希望閱讀的家長能多多留言，告訴我妳們喜歡什麼? 還希望看到什麼樣的內容，那就拜託大家!

至於最初的內容，我就以那個鼓勵我寫電子報的家長提出的，一半資訊，一半分享心得，先開始，資訊類會包括我所知道的中文課程、夏令營、返台體驗小學資訊等等，分享心得會先由分享我們自家經驗，但也會同時分享我看過其他家庭的經歷。

Since 2020, I’ve been sharing my thoughts through various articles on Crossing (換日線). Over the past year or two, my focus has shifted almost entirely to the journey of overseas children learning Mandarin.

After some great feedback from the community on Threads (shoutout to @littlewesay!), I’m officially launching a Newsletter!

My goal is to have more ownership over my content and, more importantly, to make sure I’m providing exactly what you need. But for this to work, I need your help—please let me know in the comments what topics you are most curious about!

What to expect in each issue:

• 50% Practical Info: Updates on Mandarin classes, summer camps, and Taiwan school-immersion programs.

• 50% Personal Stories: Honest reflections from our family’s bilingual journey and stories from other families in our community.

回答家長問題: 孩子不願意講中文了? 我(家長)可以做什麼讓他繼續講中文?

2/8日我帶完中文親子美學工作坊後，一位家長來和我聊聊，他說孩子雖然去雙語學校，目前低年級，但在家裡愈來愈不愛講中文，我問有在看中文發音的卡通嗎? 家長回應孩子都自己在Youtube找影片來看，但一旦影片換成中文發音的，孩子就沒有興趣了。

其實這個情形也目前在我們家發生，三年級的兒子在學期一開始時為了加強英文，我們在家開始提供比較多的英文童書，也開始讓孩子在家裡看英文卡通，兒子的英文雖然也不是進步神速，但漸漸地會發現他在家裡講英文的時間愈來愈多，老實說從孩子從4歲開始上公立小學，我一直有預期這樣的情況發生，因為這是非常普遍的情況，也是幾乎是每個家庭都會經歷的過程，很多父母都會和我抱怨，孩子小時候都是講中文，到學校後就馬上轉成英文。

在我們身處的紐約，就算是去雙語學校，孩子和同學間的強勢語言仍然是英文，弱勢語言像是中文，必定得靠父母很刻意的提供中文環境讓孩子繼續講中文，同時間持續讓孩子增加口語的詞彙，這個理論很容易說，但做到很難，我可以給幾個例子:

前陣子我們家在瘋看奧運賽事轉播，奧運除了可以認識不同運動項目，也可以順道認識一些國家名字和國家國旗，在和孩子看奧運轉播時，我會提到基本的一些比賽用語像是「初賽」、「決賽」、「個人賽」、「團體賽」，得名的可以說「金’銀'銅牌」、「第X名」，藉由在看的時候，就我就會在口語上使用這些詞彙，讓孩子盡量用這些詞彙來形容在看轉播時的賽事。

除了父母和孩子對話時增加平常不常用的詞彙，一個普遍聽到大家對於孩子不說中文的一個解方就是讓孩子聽大量的有聲書，當聽得愈多，就會在腦中無形累積「中文聲音」，讓講中文不會覺得奇怪。

至於中文有聲書大部分的推薦有:

1. 親子天下有聲書:這個app是海外家長的救星，我孩子小的時候大部分聽小行星雜誌的音檔，後來也很喜歡達克比辦案，最近則是愛上亞森羅蘋的辦案故事。

2. 康軒歡樂聽:這個app比較少聽到家長分享，主要是我覺得他們的收聽選項主要是康軒出版品，但那也包括康軒雜誌的音檔，和非常熱門的紅豆綠豆碰的音檔，若聽親子天下有點膩了，我覺得也可試試這個。

3. 中文兒童Podcast:這部分我們家最喜歡的是「豬探長推理故事集」，真的是聽到欲罷不能，其他推薦可以參考其他部落客。

大部分家庭都是在車上撥放這些中文故事，可以是送孩子上學時聽，坐車去課後班時聽，如果有像我們家住在城市，不是每天都會開車的，我會在孩子洗澡時放給他聽，或是我也看過朋友把這些有聲書當作睡前故事聽。

最後如果上述都做不到，或是效果不好，最終還是回台灣幾個禮拜可能是最快速的方法，我們家目前藉由學校春假參加了僑委會辦的戀念台灣，去體驗台灣小學兩個禮拜，雖然兒子最近英文腦洞大開，我期待這次回台灣，經歷台灣小學的洗禮，可以讓他繼續用中文和我們溝通，不過我心中也知道，這樣的中英拉扯本來就是每年會反反覆覆，所以希望其他家長也一起努力，讓孩子繼續用我們的母語和我們溝通。

Q&A: How to encourage a child who has stopped speaking Mandarin?

It is a common phenomenon in the US: as soon as kids enter the school system, English becomes their dominant language, and Mandarin becomes the “minority” language. To keep the language alive, parents must be intentional. Here is a 3-step approach:

• Focus on “Thematic” Vocabulary: Don’t just stick to basic daily phrases. Use events like the Olympics or hobbies to teach specific terms (e.g., “gold medal,” “finals,” “teamwork”). Use these words yourself so your child hears how they apply to real-world excitement.

• Utilize “Passive” Listening: Build their “Mandarin ear” using high-quality audio apps and podcasts during “gap times” like bath time, car rides, or before bed.

  • Top Picks: Parenting Together, Kang Xuan Audio, and the Pig Detective Podcast.

• Plan for Immersion: When local efforts feel like an uphill battle, a short-term school experience in Taiwan (like the OCAC program) or summer camps in Asia can provide the cultural “jolt” needed to get them speaking again.

The Bottom Line: The struggle between languages is an ongoing cycle. Don’t be discouraged—every bit of exposure counts!

這個月我們閱讀什麼? What are we reading this month?

中文書籍推薦清單我看過很多部落客做過，但大部分的部落客都以時節或是主題來推薦書籍，我在過去八年中，覺得要選什麼書給孩子念，是適合孩子的中文程度，這是一個非常困難的任務，所以與其用主題或是內容，我會以適合不同中文程度來推薦:

Instead of grouping by topics, I will be recommending books based on Chinese reading levels:

初階(剛學念中文，注音還在學二拚和三拼):

Level: Beginner (Just starting to read; currently learning Zhuyin 2-part and 3-part symbols)

淘氣鴿子: YoBaby(US) 博客來(TW)
推薦原因:這套書字大、書本也很大，內容又有趣，適合剛學會念中文書的小朋友!

Why I recommend it: The font and the book itself are both large, and the stories are incredibly engaging. It’s the perfect series for kids who are just beginning their journey into reading Chinese!

中階(注音已經熟練，認字大約在500~1000字左右):

Level: Intermediate (Fluent in Zhuyin; recognizes approximately 500–1,000 characters)

長谷川義史：超級無俚頭系列: YoBaby(US) 博客來(TW)
推薦原因:橋梁書其實蠻困難找到適合海外的小朋友，因為很容易就成語太多，或是只有在書裡才會出現的書面語也很多，這讓小朋友會有念沒懂，這一套其實就蠻適合剛可以念橋梁書的小朋友，用字簡單，大多比較口語，不會太有挫折感。

Why I recommend it: This series is perfect for those just starting bridge books—the vocabulary is simple and the tone is more conversational, which helps prevent frustration.

仁雅學坊|這個月

線上讀書會繼續進行: 目前有兩組東岸小朋友和一組西岸小朋友，很開心二月開始，有兩個媽媽自願帶讀書會，這樣就更多小朋友可以一起獻上朗讀。下面是這個閱讀的書。

親子美學工作坊: 二月和三月的工作坊很成功，這次有好幾個小朋友都是青梅竹馬，父母也是朋友，大人小孩一起來參加更好玩，這次的主題是「重複」和「拼貼」，也是我們第一次嘗試在博物館裡面創作，創作的內容簡單，但看到家長和小朋友滿滿的創意!

台灣夏令營規劃:我提供的免費Taiwan Summer Camp Planning 101已經很多父母下載，並積極地在規劃討論，我們是八月中後回台灣，目前也在找過夜營隊!

台灣夏令營量身規劃服務:去年我幫助了三個家庭找尋適合他們孩子的台灣夏令營，今年這個服務又重起，歡迎對於尋找台灣夏令營感到困難的家庭，和我聯絡!

Online Reading Clubs: Our East and West Coast groups are going strong! Special thanks to the two moms who volunteered to lead sessions starting in February—more kids can now join our read-alouds.

Mandarin Family Art Workshops: Feb and March were a blast! It was our first time creating inside the museum, focusing on "Repetition" and "Collage."

Taiwan Summer Camp Planning: My free "Planning 101" guide has been a hit! We’re headed to Taiwan in mid-August and are currently scouting for overnight camps ourselves.

Personalized Taiwan Camp Research Service: After helping several families find the perfect fit last year, this service is officially back for 2026. feel free to reach out.

活動預告 Upcoming!

1. 大都會博物館的親子美學工作坊: 我和Cathy在積極的規劃五六月在，我將會在電子報第一時間公布報名訊息，所以記得訂閱電子報!

   Metropolitan Museum Mandarin Family Art Workshops: Cathy and I are busy planning for May and June! I’ll be announcing the registration details first in my newsletter, so make sure you’re subscribed to get the early bird notice!

2. 大都會博物館 School Holiday Camp: 目前在規劃半天/全天的單日營隊，5/27 and 6/19，每一場只有四個名額，如果有興趣的家庭，提早和我聯絡。

   The Met School Holiday Camps: I’m currently planning half-day and full-day single-day camps for May 27 and June 19. Each session is limited to just four spots. If your family is interested, please reach out to me early to save a place!

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