Learning a foreign language is never an easy task. One has to get accustomed to the script, the pronunciation, grammar and the culture that the language represents. Only then can one be said to be fluent in all aspects of the language. The Chinese language is perceived to be the language of the future. The Chinese economy has made great strides and an ever increasing number of countries have long term trade relations with China.

Language with long term prospects In this situation knowledge of the Chinese language is considered to be an added advantage with respect to one’s career. However it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to learn a new language especially for adults who are accustomed to conversing and thinking in their native language. Kids however pick up a new language faster; they are more adept at recognizing characters in different scripts as also the pronunciation. Kids can learn the Chinese language which has a complicated relation between the pronunciations of characters and the written form, at a much faster rate as compared to adults. Several institutes have come forward offering Chinese language training in the recent past. Online schools have provided a viable alternative for kids who find online studying more effective as compared to conventional methods.

Learning Methods The methods used to learn Chinese are the age old reliable ones which are more refined by modern technological innovations. The courses are generally designed according to the age group of the kids starting from preschool to high school grade. The courses are structured in a progressive format starting from Beginner and Elementary level followed by an Intermediate level and then Advanced level. The courses should ideally be taught by a native Chinese speaker who has a degree from a reputed University for teaching Chinese as a second language. Learning Chinese by way of the classroom method is feasible to a certain degree; however the method often becomes mechanical with little room for innovation or making the lessons interesting and interactive for kids. Also it is practically not possible to conduct one on one session with kids in a classroom style teaching method as students often have specific areas of improvement that need to be addressed on an individual basis. Kids who may be good at writing could need encouragement in conversing while those good at speaking may be lacking in grammar.

Learning made easy All these concerns can be addressed to a certain degree if kids learn the Chinese language complemented by the online methods. Headsets, webcams, interactive whiteboards, CDs, video and sound clips all can contribute to making learning a fun filled experience for kids. The various features in the Chinese language like the pronunciation independent from the characters, the characters varying with ideas and phonetics, resembling at times a pictorial script requires extensive practice a feature which is best accomplished online. Kids can learn Chinese with one on one session involving simulated techniques like role playing and conversations combining the practical with theory and giving a chance to immediately bring into use what one has learnt.