• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Singapore HomepageExpat Living Singapore

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • SentosaA guide to living on Sentosa
        • mens shirts singapore10 of the best places to buy men’s shirts
        • Woman using phone mobile banking bank for expatsWhich bank should I choose in Singapore?
        • lamos featureOnline gift shopping for everyone
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Divaagar, Render Tender Singapore Art Museum Singapore Art WeekDivaagar, Render Tender Singapore Art Museum Singapore Art WeekWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • Chinese New Year lanternsChinese New Year: What to do (and not do)
        • bookGreat books: What to read this month
        • super soulGreat podcasts we are listening to!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • kidsHelping our children deal with stress
        • Mark WenzelMeet the new Superintendent!
        • Performers Ballet Academy ballet dancer on stage activities for kidsExciting enrichment activities for kids
        • childrens mental health covidCOVID Fatigue – How it’s affecting us all
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • singapore interior designersNeed a bit of help with your home décor?
        • how to do a home makeover tips6 small changes for a big home makeover
        • Bungalow 55Having a party of eight?
        • The Cinnamon roomRugs and carpets – who bought what?
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • The Fullerton Hotel kids room tent4 fun family staycays – with deals!
        • Merdeka - Where to stay in ThailandWhere to stay in Thailand, reviews & more
        • Covid-19 travel woman mask airportCOVID-19 travel: What to expect
        • Hong Kong with kids - SuperParkThings to Do with Kids in Hong Kong
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • best breakfast little farms singapore30+ fantastic vegetarian and vegan restaurants
        • LyresDry January: Alcohol-free drinks to try!
        • vietnamese food que beef pho singaporeIn the mood for Vietnamese?
        • Barista CoffeeNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • jewelleryJewellery gift ideas for all budgets
        • Work wear singaporeEasy ways to revamp your office wear!
        • PabloBlau_6AUG2020-02a5 facials for the new year!
        • mens shirts singapore10 of the best places to buy men’s shirts
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • kidsHelping our children deal with stress
        • nutritionist in singaporeA nutritionist that gets to the root cause of disease
        • critical illness insurance family and kids at homeA guide to critical illness insurance
        • COVID-19 PCR tests doctor swab testGetting a COVID-19 PCR test in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Kids » 4 benefits of learning Mandarin – young!

4 benefits of learning Mandarin – young!

20th January 2020 by Rebecca Bisset 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/benefits-of-mandarin-chinese-classes-holiday-camps-singapore-for-kids/

Why learn Mandarin at an early age?

In some schools, it’s compulsory for kids to learn Chinese, but it’s often not done in any depth. There are plenty of reasons why learning to speak Mandarin fluently, either through extra classes or holidays camps, will help children, not only now, but also in the future. Here we look at a few of the key benefits of learning Mandarin – plus, we find out if it’s really as difficult to learn as some people say!

#1 It’s the world’s most widely spoken language

According to language publication Ethnologue, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, when you count only first-language (native) speakers. Why? Because of China’s huge population. The number of native Mandarin speakers on the planet currently sits at around 1.3 billion. (English has less than a third of that!)

#2 Children develop an ear for languages

Exposing children to a second language at an early age helps them develop an ‘ear’ for that language. This applies to Mandarin too. What this means is that they’ll more easily achieve better pronunciation and fluency later in life. Why? Because young children are more sensitive to the differences in sounds. Researchers claim that children who learn a second language before their teenage years are more likely to achieve native-like pronunciation in that language.

#3 It will boost their future career prospects

In today’s very global world, the ability to communicate in more than one language is becoming an essential skill. Given the fact that China’s economy is one of the world’s largest, the benefits of learning Mandarin can extend to your CV, too. When applying for a job, bilingual candidates have an edge over other applicants; a language as common as Mandarin can really set you apart. There are a huge number of jobs in areas such as education, international business, healthcare, security and tourism that require candidates who are bilingual. This translates to more job opportunities for those who can speak a second language.

#4 It will help make travelling easier

Mandarin isn’t just spoken in mainland China, of course. Places like Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines and Mongolia, along with many others, have large Chinese populations. So, knowing Mandarin will not only help make travelling easier, it’ll also allow you to better interact with the locals. And that means getting a true sense of a country.

Mandarin lessons

Also … it isn’t as hard as you might think!

It’s sometimes said that the benefits of learning Mandarin are offset by how hard it is to learn. In fact, it has a far simpler grammar system than its European language counterparts because it doesn’t have particular tenses or conjugations for verbs. Instead, words have a fixed form that’s the same no matter what they’re used for, or where they appear in a sentence. Even singular and plural forms are the same.

One thing that can often cause confusion for non-native speakers is the fact that Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. So, in order to differentiate meaning, the same syllable can be pronounced with different tones. While tones may sound intimidating at first, all languages have tones – even English! The only difference is that, in English, tones are used to express emotions.

So, even if your children are having Mandarin lessons in class, if you want them to be super confident and be able to take it forward with them into their working lives, look at extra classes or holiday camps to get them immersed. They’ll probably thank you in the future!

Little Mandarins Language Centre offers Chinese classes for children from 18 months, as well as holiday camps.

Block 71, Loewen Road #01-03
6473 8377 | admin@little-mandarins.com | little-mandarins.com

 

We hope you found this interesting; click here if you’d like to read more.

Categories: Enrichment Kids Living here Tags: Little Mandarins

Rebecca Bisset

Heading up Expat Living, Rebecca's the oldest but not necessarily the wisest of the crew! Her original career was in photography, so she sees images and colours before words. A bit of a nomad before Singapore, she loves looking at properties and all things home décor.

You May Also Like

Woman using phone mobile banking bank for expats

Which bank should I choose in Singapore?

Helping our children deal with stress

childrens mental health covid

COVID Fatigue – How it’s affecting us all

Primary Sidebar

Editor's Picks

where to buy furniture in Singapore

Where to buy furniture in Singapore – online too!

royal albatross yacht singapore romantic dinner

39 Cool & Fun Things To Do In Singapore

kate marsden facial review iyac med spa aesthetic clinic

Best facials in Singapore: Our reviews!

brunch st regis singapore

Best Brunch Places in Singapore: Champagne Sunday Brunches

hair salon in Singapore before and after

Best Hair Salon In Singapore – Our Favourites

What's On

Singapore International Photography Festival exhibition

Singapore International Photography Festival 2020

Stone Stacks Stefanie Hauger solo exhibition Miaja Art Collections

Stone Stacks

ThisConnect - Threading Worlds

ThisConnect – Threading Worlds

Battle between Rama and Ravana Faith Beauty Love Hope Our Stories, Your ACM Asian Civilisations Museum

Faith Beauty Love Hope – Our Stories, Your ACM

Perfect Stranger by Dawn Ng asian civilisations museum exhibition

Perfect Stranger

thINK exhibition Asian Civilisations Museum

thINK: Chinese Calligraphy, Connoisseurship, and Collecting

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Guys: did you know that your skin is structurally different from that of ladies? For most men, androgen (testosterone) stimulation results in skin that’s thicker and tougher than women’s skin. This also means you might need something more than just your wife’s, mum’s or sister’s moisturiser or face wash! 

Lumin was founded on this concept; this California-based online store offers simple yet effective skincare for men, tailored to different skin types and concerns. So, whether you’re looking for a good face cleanser or a moisturiser for men, this is one brand to check out.

To differentiate Lumin from other men’s skincare brands, founders Richard Hong and Darwish Gani flew to South Korea to work on formulas that benefit the thicker and more stubborn skin constructs of men. Most of the ingredients used are powerful plant-based extracts like ginger root, rosemary, coffee and shea butter. The paraben-free and cruelty-free brand also makes a point of avoiding unnecessary nasties commonly associated with popular off-the-shelf products.

If it’s your first time shopping for men’s skincare, you’ll be glad to know that the Lumin experience is simple and fuss-free. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and you’ll get a personalised skincare regime that’s suited to your skin type and lifestyle. You can choose to go with a one-time purchase or have your products delivered on a subscription basis. Alternatively, shop from the curated range of skincare sets catered to different budgets and preferences.

Read about our readers review on our stories
Open
We are completely in love with the new Bvlgari Parfum Allegra that lets you customise your own scent...how cool is that! 
 
Step 1 - select your base fragrance 
Step 2 - personalise your fragrance with a magnifying essence 

The bottles are so pretty we want them all 💕 
 
The Allegra collection is available online at bulgari.com/en-sg and in-store at the Takashimaya Department Store from 19th January and if you can’t wait they also have a pop up only for today at ION SKY
Open
Say hello to our latest Kids' Guide! Want a free copy delivered to you? Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/KG and place your order before 30 January.
 
🧸 The guide has everything from finding an obstetrician and caring for your newborn, to fun activities and choosing the right schools for your child. There’s also lots of useful advice from other mums and dads.
Open
We love finding cool places to check out at weekends.

The Whiskey Library at the chic Vagabond Club Hotel is a must for Whiskey lovers. 

Be entertained by bespoke adventures such as specially curated (sung and told) Jazz stories, intimate theatre sessions, book readings, artist evenings, musical showcases, and even independent film premieres whilst enjoying delightful small bites. 

With a choice of over 1,000 rare and unique whiskeys you can even book a cool Staycation so you don’t have to travel home! @thevagabondclub
Open
So if you are still managing to cling onto dry January or still pondering whether to do dry February (like some of us here at EL), then you must check out our round up (link on stories) of alcohol free drinks to stock up on...we also spotted some pretty cool cocktail recipes on the links to help you out🍸🍹
Open
We are on the lookout for cute baby pics for our next issue. Have you or a friend just had a baby? Send over a baby pic with the date of birth and parents names to editorial@expatliving.sg and we'll feature them in our next issue (swipe to see an example of our baby noticeboard). Tag some friends in this post to share their news with us. 

All babies will receive a free personalised print from the gorgeous @hellosammyeve worth $150 (see 3rd pic). 

We just can’t wait to see the pics of those cute bubbas👶
Open
We are craving those pineapple tarts from @littlehouseofdreams packaged in a pretty eco-friendly canister with an engraved bamboo lid.

Check out their pretty gifts, hampers and roasts to help you usher in the year of the 🐂 

15% off regular items and 10% off gift sets until 31st Jan
Open
Hunting for new foodie places is a tough job but someone has to do it! 

Check out our stories link for a few new hot spots to try. There are more listed in our January print issue and others springing up next month!

Tag your favourite hot spots in our comments, we are always on the lookout 👀 🍽🍷🍻🍹
Open
We had some wonderful  celebrations today for our amazing Editor in Chief Rebecca. Happy Birthday and lots of love from all of the EL team ❤️ x
Open
We love cocktails in a can, what an easy start to kick off your weekend. Available in Espresso Martini, Margarita, Pineapple Daiquiri & Negroni - yum!  Order @curatif
Open
Time to get moving!

Our fitness experts share top tips helping to stick to those New Years resolutions 🏋️ 🧘‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 

Link in our stories
Open
The rain and cold winds getting you down? A warm beverage and maybe a good book to snuggle up to might just chase the blues away!

If hot chocolate is too mainstream for you, could we offer up this red velvet alternative? @littlefarms have a wide selection of oat milks, almond milks and soy milk options. 

Since it's #Veganuary, we recommend using dairy free milks to recreate this recipe....

2 cups non-dairy milk of choice
4 medjool dates (pitted)
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon beet powder

Add the milk and dates into a saucepan.
Heat, over medium, until it reaches a simmer. Add the warm milk with the dates and the remaining ingredients into a high speed blender.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Serve and enjoy! 

Image and recipe courtesy of @darngoodveggies
Open
Read our January issue on any device for free! To get started, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/IG
In this issue, step inside a heritage shophouse, find out where our readers buy their carpets and dining tables, discover amazing glamping locations, plus find out how you can win a glamorous home decor prize worth over $7K!
Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Singapore, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.sg/readerschoice

.
#expatlivingsg #sgbusinesses #singaporebusiness #elsgreaderschoice
Open
What better way to choose movers than to get the inside scoop from happy customers themselves.

We hear from some individuals and families about their successful moves. 

Whether you’re relocating across the globe or just moving to the condo next door, you’re probably going to need some professional and reliable help to pack and transport for you so check out some recommendations in our stories
Open
Now, to start the new year off with a bang, @areteculture is excited to give one lucky winner a home décor essentials package to refresh their space!  Read more about this amazing giveaway here 👉🏻 www.expatliving.sg/comp-arete  #expatliving #singaporelife #areteculture #giveaway #expatsingaporelife #beinittowinit #homedecor #goodluck.
Open
Recently engaged? Check out our recent story on how to find a fabulous elegant dress plus wedding tips and details of some upcoming wedding trunk shows.

Congratulations from the EL team 💍🥂🍾
Open
Whilst we are all keen to stay in bed on this drab morning, it’s giving us time to work on our New Year Resolutions for a healthier 2021. 

Take a look on our stories for some fab suggestions to start the New Year.
Open
Happy New Year from the team at Expat Living. 

Let’s raise a glass to welcome 2021 🥂
Open
As we welcome the start of a new year, it’s time to look back at the year that was. 

Obviously, a standard review of 2020 would be dominated by one global issue, however, we’ve decided to avoid any mention of the C-word and instead, we’re taking a look at some of the other things that happened in 2020 
month by month, from pop culture phenomena to mystery objects in our deserts and skies (full link in our stories)

Enjoy – and have a wonderful 2021!
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.