.: Method :.

:: Method ::

:: Common beliefs of learning a new language ::
　

If you are going to learn a new language without any prior knowledge,

as I did before, you may first think of translating the language into

your own mother tongue bit by bit. Then, you will try to make sense of it.

I believe most people think in this way. That was also how I

learnt English at school. That is also the belief held by my former students

when they first approached me.

The line of thought was that if the one does not have any prior

knowledge of the language, how can the one understand from 'Zero'?

If someone speaks to you -

you may have no clues if you do not have any knowledge of the

Cantonese language. Actually, that is really true!

That is why quite a large number of expatriates in Hong Kong cannot

even speak a word (except those dirty language), even they have

been living in Hong Kong for 15+ years.

:: Skills & experience ::

However, with specialised language skills, learning patterns, use of

gestures and body languages, and appropriate reinforcement techniques,

the one will slowly build up from none to simple expressions, then

merging up single words and expressions into speaking fluently and

confidently.

Most of my former students (roughly almost 70%) felt disgusted at the very first

3 sessions when I did not employ any English as the medium of instructions.

Soon, after 10 sessions, their ideas completely changed.

　

:: Significance of using Cantonese to teach Cantonese ::

It may take slightly longer at the very first beginning to pick up a new language

if using the language you learnt as the medium of instructions. It takes

time to make sense of the words and sentence patterns. It also takes time

to create your own set of ideas of understanding the language. Everyone does

have their own understanding and explanation of the language. If another language

is employed in class, it would confining one's understanding of the language to

the set of ideas conveyed by the tutor.

Besides, using another language, let say English, in class, will just persuade

someone to make mechanical translations of English language to the language

they learn. So, why bother to learn a new language?

:: Memorable moments ::
　

I taught a Japanese girl before. I did not speak any English in class

like I did before. She did not feel it's strange. After 20 days of attending

crash course, she could speak very good Cantonese when compared with

her peers. I asked her why, and she told me that she just learnt the

language like a baby, i.e. to speak and think in Cantonese way. She

always switched on the radio while she was having a bath, ironing, doing

housework. Soon, after 3 months, she could almost speak alike other

Hong Kong people.
　

Why not take a free trial lesson? There's nothing to lose for sure!