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Learning Mandarin is clearly an essential skill for children in Singapore since it is a mandatory subject in the MOE school system. However, for children with ADHD or dyslexia, learning Mandarin can be particularly challenging.
In these instances, the philosophy echoed by Ignacio Estrada, ‘If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn,’ has profoundly influenced the approach at MandarinStars.
We believe in embracing a teaching approach that goes beyond rote learning and memorisation, one that is specifically tailored to acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by children with ADHD and dyslexia.
This approach leads us to employ various innovative and effective techniques, each designed to make the learning of Mandarin accessible and enjoyable for every student. The following section will explore these techniques in detail, showcasing how they contribute to a supportive and productive learning environment at MandarinStars.
Teaching Techniques Employed by MandarinStars Learning Centre
1. Using a visual learning system
At MandarinStars, we understand the critical role that engaging and accessible teaching methods play when educating children with learning differences.
To this end, our approach integrates a comprehensive visual learning system to enhance the Mandarin learning experience. One of the unique aspects of MandarinStars’ teaching methodology is our visual learning system.
We teach students about the different types of radicals – the building blocks of Chinese characters – and use a colour-coding system to highlight them. This visual distinction helps students in multiple ways.
Firstly, it simplifies the complex structure of Chinese characters, making them more manageable for new learners — secondly, the use of colours aids in memory retention.
Students can more easily identify and remember the characters by associating different radicals with specific colours. This method is particularly beneficial for dyslexic children, who may find the visual aspects of language learning more intuitive than phonetic ones.
To illustrate the effectiveness of visual learning, consider the example of Tom Cruise, a globally renowned actor who has been candid about his dyslexia.
Cruise has attributed his ability to memorise scripts to visualisation techniques. By converting written text into vivid mental images, he can recall his lines, demonstrating how powerful and transformative visual learning can be, especially for those overcoming learning challenges like dyslexia.
2. Using a Mnemonic Learning System
Alongside the visual learning system, MandarinStars also employs mnemonic techniques to reinforce learning.
Mnemonics are ingenious memory aids that link new information and familiar concepts, facilitating easier recall. This method is particularly effective as it leverages our brain’s natural inclination towards storytelling and pattern recognition.
In the context of learning Mandarin, we harness visual associations to aid students in remembering characters. For example, a Mandarin character might be associated with an image or a story that visually embodies its meaning or pronunciation. This approach transforms abstract characters into relatable and vivid images or narratives in the student’s mind.
For instance, a character representing a concept like ‘mountain’ might be linked to an image of a peak, helping students remember not just the character but also its connotation and sound.
This method makes learning more engaging and actively taps into the students’ imaginative capabilities. It turns language acquisition into a creative and enjoyable activity, where each character becomes part of a larger, memorable story. This particularly benefits students who might find rote memorization tedious or challenging.
Moreover, mnemonics are exceptionally effective for students with ADHD. These students often require more dynamic and stimulating methods of learning to maintain their focus.
With their novel and exciting approach, Mnemonics capture their attention by transforming learning into a game-like experience. This holds their interest and significantly enhances their ability to retain new information.
By engaging their imagination and curiosity, mnemonics make learning more engaging and enjoyable, leading to better retention and understanding of Mandarin.
3. Working Within a Small Class
To ensure positive learning outcomes for each student, MandarinStars strongly emphasises providing an optimal learning environment. One of the ways we do this is by keeping class sizes small.
Small class sizes are vital for several reasons. Firstly, they allow for individual attention from the teacher, ensuring that each student’s learning needs are met.
In a smaller group, teachers can easily observe and respond to the nuances of each child’s learning style and progress. This is particularly important for students with learning differences, such as those with Dyslexia or ADHD, who may require more tailored support and attention.
The pace and depth of teaching in all MandarinStars classes are customised to suit each student. Recognising that every child learns differently, our teachers can slow down for students who need more time to grasp a concept and provide more advanced materials to those who are ready to progress.
This individualised approach prevents any child from feeling left behind or unchallenged, catering to a spectrum of learning speeds and styles. Additionally, every lesson includes a revision segment to reinforce what was learnt in previous lessons, consolidating knowledge and aiding in long-term retention.
4. Scaffolded Learning Approach
The scaffolded learning approach involves structuring lessons into small, manageable segments, making learning more effective and less overwhelming. This method is particularly beneficial in language acquisition as it allows for gradually introducing and reinforcing complex concepts.
For children with ADHD, who may struggle with maintaining focus over long periods, this approach keeps lessons engaging and achievable. The short segments provide the right amount of information and activity to hold their interest without leading to cognitive overload.
Similarly, for students with dyslexia, scaffolded learning aids in the step-by-step processing and understanding of the material. It breaks down Mandarin’s intricacies into smaller, understandable units, enabling these students to build their skills incrementally and with greater confidence.
5. Grouping Students by Proficiency Level
An essential aspect of our teaching strategy is grouping students based on their proficiency level in reading and writing Mandarin. This ensures that the lessons are neither too easy nor challenging for any student.
It fosters an environment of mutual growth and learning, where students can comfortably learn at their own pace while being motivated by their peers. Such grouping also enhances the overall dynamics of the class, as students can relate better to each other’s learning journey.
6. Active Learning Experiences
One of the critical objectives of MandarinStars is to instil a genuine interest in learning how to speak, read, and write Mandarin. Creating a vibrant learning experience encourages students to enjoy picking up a new language and to look forward to lessons.
We incorporate various engaging activities during lessons, including games, role-play scenarios, and interactive storytelling. This approach lets students use Mandarin in a practical setting, improving their command of the language.
Additionally, MandarinStars also places significant emphasis on positive reinforcement. By celebrating each student’s achievements, we build up their confidence and help them overcome any fear of learning Chinese.
Such an approach is fundamental when working with students who have special learning requirements such as dyslexia or ADHD. By improving confidence levels, we can open up their minds to learning.
MandarinStars – Helping Children with Special Needs Master Mandarin
Learning difficulties should never be a barrier to education. By moving away from traditional methods and embracing a teaching philosophy that caters to various learning styles, MandarinStars has created a nurturing environment that can potentially rewire students’ brains.
Through these methods, we ensure that every child, regardless of their learning challenges, is given the opportunity to master the Mandarin language. Check out our website here to learn more about our classes, programmes, and educators.
