Demand grows in UK for baby Chinese classes  

英华人热捧中文婴儿班 “婴儿教材”挑战教育者

据《欧洲时报》英国版报道，在伦敦，一种班级人数少、学生年龄小的汉语“小小班”随着全球汉语热的现象悄然兴起，并受到越来越多家长的欢迎。这些课程多数针对出生6个月到3岁的幼儿开设，采取小班且家长陪同的模式，把亲子和学习相结合。记者近期走访几家伦敦的婴儿中文班，了解他们的教学情况以及家长们对中文“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.