Language and culture go hand in hand – Teach Your Child A Foreign Language

Culture is filled with surprises.  Think about what you have been sharing with your child from home culture to the community culture.  Family culture starts at home so is learning about the target language culture.

Every time I have a cultural event at school or at the library child participants always teach me something new as they connect what they know about their family culture with the Chinese culture.  What sparks a child’s curiosity is a teaching and a learning moment.  Parents can take the opportunity and engage them to explore further in the target language and culture.

 

Remember Language and Culture Go Hand in Hand

Language is culture, so bring the target language and its culture into your home. Culture has many levels. You can start with books, but there are also documentaries, movies, and animations that are suitable for families to watch together. You could also look for culture-related events in your community and attend with your family. Connecting people, cultures and the target language is all about immersive experiences!

• Chinese culture – Lunar New Year and Chinese Culture series

• Spanish culture – Day of the Dead and more

• World culture – Fun Facts Series that take you and your child around the world 

• Multicultural celebrations – Multiculturalmama & Chinese American Family

 

Culture is more than just food that people eat, clothing people wear, transportation people use, and houses people live in.  As children learn the target language, they also need to learn about the core cultural value, the meaning of family, the concept of time, the social status, the personal space, etc… of the country that the target language is spoken.  Culture boosts children’s interest in target language learning.

As the holiday season is coming soon, what target language culture can you add to the learning?  Many people think the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival is similar to Thanksgiving.  What do you and your child think?  Here is the interview about the Mid Autumn Festival from the latest Playful Chinese podcast.

 

More in Teach Your Child A Foreign Language series:

Start with songs and music

Incorporate Everyday Expressions

Have Fun With Games

Create A Routine 

Engage The Senses

 

Image by Chastagner Thierry