Happy Chinese Language Day! 

Did you know that April 20th marks the celebration of Chinese Language Day? This date is in honor of Cangjie, a legendary ancient Chinese figure who is credited for inventing Chinese script. Research and discoveries have shown that the Chinese language is one of the oldest written languages in the world, and with over 1 billion speakers in the world, Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world!

In addition to being able to engage in the most widely spoken language in the world, children and adults alike benefit from the study of Mandarin Chinese. Below, we highlight some facts and ways to engage in the language: 

Benefits

Brain Power. Research suggests that learning Chinese utilizes areas of the brain that other languages do not. Mandarin speakers engage a region of the brain that processes music by registering different pitches and tones, activating more and improving overall brain development.

Culture. Chinese culture is intricately woven throughout the world. As one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, China is rich in traditions and unique customs. Through the study of Chinese culture, students are able to bridge borders, exchange perspectives, and create a platform for effective communication. 

The Edge. Based on decades of research, we know multilingual children gain a cognitive, academic, and social edge in academic settings and beyond. 

How to Celebrate Chinese Language Day

Learn some phrases in Chinese! 

• Hello = Nihao
• Thank-you=xiexie
• I love you = wo-ai-ni

Visit a Chinese restaurant. Did you know there are eight Chinese culinary cuisines?: Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. Today, the hot and spicy Sichuan cuisine is the most popular in China, and Cantonese cuisine (Dim Sum) is popular around the world. Yum! 

Watch a Chinese movie, and take a virtual tour! We recommend: Over the Moon, Abominable, or BAO, to name a few. Once you’ve watched a movie, you might want to take a virtual tour of China’s Grand Canal or the Yu Garden to take in the majestic sights and sounds of China. 

Learn More About Our Mandarin Programs. We continue to grow our students and our Mandarin programs to support a multilingual education. Stratford School now offers Mandarin after-school programs, Mandarin specialty and course offerings, and preschool through elementary school bilingual Mandarin programs at select campuses. To learn more about our Mandarin offerings, visit us https://www.stratfordschools.com/our-programs/mandarin-bilingual/.