For many Singaporean parents, ensuring their child thrives in Mandarin classes for kids is a priority, given how Mandarin is fast becoming the world’s most widely-spoken language.
However, for children with dyslexia, learning Mandarin can be challenging. Unlike English, Mandarin uses a character-based system that relies on memorisation and visual recognition rather than phonetic decoding.
Additionally, traditional Chinese classes often rely on rote memorisation and repetitive drills, an approach that may not suit children with learning difficulties.
The good news is that dyslexic children can still excel in Mandarin classes. MandarinStars provides students with a conducive learning environment through a combination of multi-sensory learning, adaptive strategies, and personalised support.
Keep reading to explore how MandarinStars helps dyslexic students thrive in Chinese classes for kids.
Dyslexia and Its Impact on Mandarin Learning in Kids
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects reading, writing, and language processing, which makes it challenging for children to recognise words, decode text, and retain new vocabulary.
In phonetic languages like English, words are letters corresponding to specific sounds. This means that when a child encounters an unfamiliar word, they can usually sound it out using phonics, i.e. breaking the word into individual sounds and blending them to form the correct pronunciation.
However, dyslexic learners struggle with this process because their brains process written language differently. They may have difficulty:
- Matching letters to sounds (e.g., seeing the letter “b” but confusing it with “d”)
- Blending sounds to form words
- Recognising common spelling patterns (e.g., “ough” in “through” vs. “though”)
Since reading in English relies heavily on phonetic decoding, dyslexic students may struggle to read fluently and accurately. For children learning Mandarin, the challenge is different as it’s not a phonetic language. Instead of breaking words into sounds, students must memorise individual characters that do not give phonetic clues about their pronunciation.
Children with dyslexia may find it challenging to memorise characters, distinguish similar-looking words, and recall how to write them correctly. Additionally, the lack of phonetic cues makes it harder to guess the pronunciation of unfamiliar words, further impacting fluency and comprehension.
Below is a breakdown of how dyslexia can affect Mandarin learning:
Teaching Strategies in Mandarin Classes for Kids with Dyslexia
Since dyslexic learners process language differently, traditional rote memorisation methods are often ineffective. Instead, educators need to adopt strategies that engage visual, auditory and tactile learning styles, which can significantly improve character recognition, reading comprehension, and writing fluency.
At MandarinStars, we implement proven teaching strategies that cater to dyslexic students, making Mandarin learning more accessible and engaging:
Visual learning with colour coding
Dyslexic students may have difficulties recognising and differentiating similar-looking Chinese characters, making reading and writing challenging. Unlike English, where words are built from a predictable set of letters and sounds, Mandarin characters are logographic, meaning each character represents a concept rather than a sound. This makes it harder for dyslexic students to decode and remember words, especially when they look similar.
To help with this, we use colour-coded radicals and stroke sequences to break down characters into recognisable components. Some of the methods used by instructors at MandarinStars include:
- Highlighting different parts of a character in different colours makes it easier for students to distinguish between similar characters.
- Stroke-order animations and visual diagrams reinforce proper writing sequences and character structure.
- Flashcards and visual mnemonics help students remember words by associating them with images and contextual clues.
Stories and Mnemonics in Mandarin Classes for Kids
Traditionally, students relied on repetition and memorisation when learning Mandarin.
However, through experience, we have found that this approach is often counterproductive and can lead to frustration and a lack of engagement in students.
Instead of repetitive learning drills, MandarinStars uses storytelling and mnemonic techniques to help students create meaningful connections with characters. Students are taught to associate a character with a short story, a real-world scenario, or a visual image – making it easier to recall.
Here’s how we use a combination of storytelling and visual learning to help our students excel in Mandarin:
- Creating short narratives that incorporate characters into an engaging storyline.
- Using images or symbols to represent parts of a character makes them more recognisable.
- Connecting characters to familiar words or actions, such as teaching the word 拳 (quán – fist) with the phrase: “男生挥手打了我一拳” (The boy waved his hand and punched me).”
Structured Sentence Building
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can make it difficult for students to form sentences and structure their thoughts accordingly. This can lead to frustration and disinterest and also negatively impact a child’s academic performance. Because Mandarin relies on word order and context to convey meaning, dyslexic students may have trouble placing words in the correct sequence.
To help kids cope with this challenge, MandarinStars uses sentence scaffolding techniques.
Our instructors guide students step by step while helping them build sentences in a structured, stress-free manner. By breaking down the learning process into smaller, manageable parts, we provide students with a more enjoyable learning experience.
Techniques used by instructors during Chinese classes include:
- Starting with simple structures – Students practise basic sentence patterns before gradually adding complexity.
- Providing templates and guides – Structured exercises help students arrange words logically, reducing confusion.
- Organising interactive sentence-building activities – Games and hands-on exercises like sentence rearrangement tasks, fill-in-the-blanks, and guided composition writing reinforce learning in a fun, engaging way.
Interactive Learning Tools
Traditional learning methods, such as rote memorisation and repetitive drills, can be frustrating and ineffective for dyslexic students. In fact, research has indicated that dyslexia can negatively impact an individual’s short—and long-term memory, making rote learning an ineffective way to learn Mandarin.
To help students with dyslexia stay engaged and retain what they learn, MandarinStars incorporates multi-sensory and technology-driven tools that cater to different learning styles.
Some of these include:
- Gamified exercises and flashcard apps – Digital platforms transform learning into an interactive experience, reinforcing vocabulary and character recognition through games, quizzes, and adaptive learning exercises.
- Role-playing and conversational practice – Simulated real-life conversations help students use Mandarin in a practical context, improving fluency and comprehension.
- Tactile learning techniques – Activities like tracing characters in sand, using textured writing surfaces, or assembling stroke-sequence puzzles reinforce muscle memory, helping students master stroke order more effectively.
Empowering Dyslexic Students to Succeed in Mandarin Learning
At MandarinStars, learning differences should never be a barrier to success. Our Chinese enrichment classes are designed to provide personalised instruction, engaging activities, and adaptive learning approaches that cater to every student’s needs.
For example, MandarinStars’ 2024 Primary 6 graduates achieved AL4-5 in their Standard Mother Tongue PSLE and an A grade in Foundation Mother Tongue PSLE, a remarkable achievement. This is a testament to the MandarinStars program’s success in empowering students with dyslexia to excel in the Chinese language.
Whether your child struggles with character recognition, sentence formation, or fluency, our experienced instructors are here to guide them every step of the way. If you’re looking for a supportive and structured environment where your child can develop a strong foundation in Mandarin, enrol in MandarinStars today!
Let’s work together to help your child break barriers and achieve success in Mandarin learning.
