Demand grows in UK for baby Chinese classes  

英華人熱捧中文嬰兒班 “嬰兒教材”挑戰教育者

據《歐洲時報》英國版報道，在倫敦，一種班級人數少、學生年齡小的漢語“小小班”隨著全球漢語熱的現象悄然興起，并受到越來越多家長的歡迎。這些課程多數針對出生6個月到3歲的幼兒開設，采取小班且家長陪同的模式，把親子和學習相結合。記者近期走訪幾家倫敦的嬰兒中文班，了解他們的教學情況以及家長們對中文“小小班”的看法。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Small classes for infants at Chinese language schools are becoming more popular among Chinese British in London, the British edition of Nouvelles D'Europe reported.

Ding Huici, head of Huaxia Chinese Language School, said they opened classes last year for babies age six months to 3 years old, to meet the demands of Chinese British parents. The number of students doubled this year, Ding said.

Some parents applied to get on the waiting list when their baby was only four months old, in case no spots are available two months later, he added.

Hu Yuying, a teacher at Yuhua Chinese Language School, said some parents who are second generation Chinese British disagree with the way they had been taught -- no Chinese in childhood to assimilate with the mainstream -- and insist that their children should study Chinese as early as possible.

One classroom saw the teacher singing a Chinese song while infants are crawling around, with parents sitting in a circle participating.

Hu said that in addition to patience, teachers should accumulate experience, as no quick feedback can be expected from infants.

Ding said they edited a textbook urging parents to speak Chinese or play Chinese songs at home for the babies.