96 | EDUCATION ASIA | PEOPLE | Interview
The foundation of hihilulu's Snowballing Method, helping children build their understanding of Chinese characters step by step.
curriculum resources, trained Mandarin teachers, learning assessments and progress reporting. Its programmes can be delivered in schools, online or through private lessons, allowing the approach to be adapted to different educational settings. The Connection Between Language and Belonging Yet Jennifer's original motivation remains relevant to every part of the experience. For her, language learning has always been closely connected to culture. Learning Chinese should introduce children to the people, traditions, celebrations, and everyday experiences associated with the language, helping them understand the world beyond their own immediate surroundings. It is a perspective that resonates strongly with international school communities. Across Asia, classrooms bring together children from a remarkable variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Some arrive speaking several languages at home; others are learning in English while maintaining their family's mother tongue. Many parents hope their children will develop the confidence to move between cultures without losing their connection to where they come from. For these families, language education is about much more than examinations or future employment prospects.
introduce children to natural language in everyday situations, while interactive games, songs and cultural activities encourage them to listen, respond and practise. The lessons are designed to create an immersive environment where Mandarin becomes something children hear and use, rather than simply study. Importantly, the experience does not have to begin and end with a screen. Physical learning materials, teacher-led activities and opportunities for conversation are intended to reinforce what children encounter digitally. For parents concerned about the growing amount of time children spend on devices, that distinction is worth considering. Good educational technology should provide opportunities for learning that continue when the device is put away. For teachers, the challenge is slightly different. A successful language programme must be engaging, but it also needs structure,
progression and measurable outcomes. Schools need resources that support their teachers rather than adding another layer of administration, while children with different levels of prior knowledge need appropriate opportunities to develop. hihilulu seeks to address these practical considerations through with confidence and feel at home in more than one culture." "For parents, the hope is that children will grow up able to communicate
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