2021 update- During the pandemic last year I took an international trip from Washington DC to Taiwan. I flew from one airport to the other. I never saw the San Francisco International airport so empty. The passengers on each flight were carefully dressed to protect themselves from COVID-19. The flight crew in each flight was wonderful. Upon arrival. I went through a 2-week quarantine in a one-bedroom unit in Taipei. All alone by myself. No one could visit me. I was pretty much in “confinement” or a self “lockdown.” Why? I made the trip for my father. It was a surprise trip. I had a gift for his 90th birthday…
I walked down the stage. Still nervous. This time I knew I was not going to cry if I was not picked. I knew I worked hard and made some progress.
Learning never stops.
When there is something we really want we lose focus sometimes.
Last time after I lost the contest. I went home and told my dad, “I will never learn English again.” Sobbing, right there, sitting at the dinner table. Heartbroken. I lost the National English Speech Contest for college students in Taiwan.
No, that was not the point. Even worse. I lost the chance to spend the summer in an English immersion summer camp with amazing American professors.
This summer camp was sponsored by the Ministry of Education for this event. That was the prize for all the winners in the competition. It would be an awesome intensive 5-week of English 24/7.
My mom said, “You can try again next year.” I cried louder.
Dad looked at me and said with a calming voice that still echos in my heart every time I think about this. “You participated in the contest for the love of learning, not for winning.”
He continued, “If I tell you don’t study English anymore, don’t speak English anymore, you will still do it. You will go right back to learn more English after you finish crying and you will do more tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. Nothing can stop you because you love English so much, right?”
The best English teacher I’ve ever had is my father who is not a native-English speaker.
As my English advanced over the years through studying in the States and working with international companies, my dad often laughed at himself and told me that “My Ching English works pretty well. See, now you can teach me English.”
My father was my coach, my judge, and my never-get-tired audience. We worked on the speech together. He was always available for me whenever I was ready to practice with him.
He was always there for me with an uplifting spirit and encouraged me to move forward even when I was “defeated.”
Does he have an accent when he speaks English? Yes. Has that impacted me? No. He was great with resources. We watched BBC dramas together. He sent me to study with native English speakers when he felt I could benefit more from it. My dad was fearless when he guided me on the journey of acquiring English. Just like most of the great football coaches have never been awarded MVP…
Just then, the chief judge of the competition called my name on stage! I heard it. I was qualified for my dream English immersion summer camp the second time around!
When I told dad this big news as soon as I got home, he said, “I know you will keep learning. English is a tool and you can open many doors with it. Keep learning! Congratulations!”
What my father has taught me is beyond learning a second language but the love of learning.
The effort is the award.
From my corporate experience, having the bilingual skill is a tool for all international executives. We are a bridge for communication, connection, and understanding across cultures and inter cultures. This is also my teaching philosophy for learners of all proficiency levels and for language teacher training. Building a bridge for children to communicate, connect, and expand their worldview. Guide teachers to do the same for their students.
After teaching English and Mandarin on four continents, having the opportunity to work with monolingual and multilingual parents on their raising bi-/multi-lingual family journey. It is my mission to help parents like you to guide your child to acquire Mandarin with joy and consistency. So, one day your child can open doors with the gift you are providing her/him now and soar high on their own.
My debut book, FIRST MANDARIN SOUNDS: An Awesome Chinese Word Book is dedicated to my parents for giving me the gift of languages. It’s the gift I gave my father for his birthday.
I wrote First Mandarin Sounds for readers to build early Chinese language literacy and to connect the essential Mandarin Chinese sounds with meaningful words. This book is designed with the Montessori approach. I hope you check it out: Traditional Chinese edition hardcover | paperback and digital; Simplified Chinese edition hardcover | paperback and digital.
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Photo by Aaron Burden
Teach Your Child A Second Language: A Thank You Note
Teach Your Child A Second Language: A Thank You Note | Miss Panda Chinese