Our Chinese & English Journey

When it comes to learning Chinese, no two kids are the same—even in the same household. In this episode, Grace shares her personal experience raising bilingual twins—a boy and a girl—and how their Chinese learning journeys turned out to be vastly different.Grace walks us through the ups and downs, from early literacy milestones to hitting walls and finding alternative paths. This isn’t about reinforcing gender stereotypes—it’s about recognizing that every child has their own rhythm, learning style, and challenges.Whether you’re raising one child or multiple, this episode offers relatable insights on how to adjust your teaching methods, choose the right tools, and find your child’s unique learning path.In this episode, we cover:- How Grace’s daughter and son responded differently to early Chinese instruction- Why Sagebooks worked for one but not the other—and how they revisited it later- The role of patience, games, and tutoring in helping a reluctant learner make progress- What to do when a child forgets characters easily or gets frustrated- Encouragement for parents: different doesn’t mean delayed or behind- How to meet your child where they are and still move forwardFollow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at chinese.english.journey@gmail.com or DM us on IG.Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome 安媽, the blogger behind 好山好水慢慢走, a long-running blog that has chronicled her family's bilingual journey since 2010. Her posts have inspired many parents navigating the challenges of raising bilingual children, especially those aiming for advanced Chinese literacy.We dive into a topic many parents wonder about: What comes after bridge books? 安媽 shares her firsthand experience guiding her daughter through this transitional stage, where reading becomes more complex and sustaining language growth requires more than just leveled readers.Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at chinese.english.journey@gmail.com or DM us on IG.Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this mini episode, our podcast producer Grace shares her personal experience navigating the world of online Chinese classes for her kids. From toddler-age Zoom sessions to one-on-one tutoring, she walks through what worked, what didn’t, and how her approach evolved as her children grew.You’ll hear practical tips on:- Where to look for online teachers and programs- How to evaluate group vs. individual classes- What to expect at different ages- Why trial classes are essential before committing- How to use bilingual Facebook groups as a valuable resourceGroups where Grace found her children's online classes:- 中文教學百寶箱- Raising Bilingual Children in Chinese & English- 台灣媽媽在美國- 繁體中文與注音教學分享團（美國地區）- 虎爸 Online Class reviewWhether you're just beginning your search or looking for new ideas, this episode offers a realistic, parent-tested guide to finding online Chinese classes that meet your family’s needs.Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at chinese.english.journey@gmail.com or DM us on IG.Powered by Firstory Hosting

Speaking Chinese to children when it’s not a parent's first or frequently used language comes with its challenges. Even for native speakers, maintaining a consistent Chinese-speaking environment requires intentional effort. In this episode, we explore this topic with Andrew, a Taiwanese American dad who follows a one-parent-one-language (OPOL) approach at home.Whether a parent is a native speaker, non-native speaker, or somewhere in between, this episode offers relatable experiences and insights on incorporating Chinese into family life.Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at chinese.english.journey@gmail.com or DM us on IG.Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this mini episode, we’re diving into a big milestone for bilingual families—getting kids to read Chinese chapter books!How do you know when your child is ready? Where should you start? And how long does it take before they feel confident reading on their own? We’ll break down the process of introducing chapter books, share tips on choosing the right ones, and explore resources that can make the journey smoother.Grace'slearning to read projectFollow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at chinese.english.journey@gmail.com or DM us on IG.Powered by Firstory Hosting