Leaning Composition Using Dictation

Date:  Sep 19, 2015

Dictation

Stupid me!  I went and buy a dictation app from Apple Store (i.e. Dragon Dictation) where Apple IOS itself has the most powerful dictation feature of all.  HaHaHa….

My previous posts on Learning Composition using Dictations...

“Updates: Chinese Composition & Jay”:  http://miniliew.blogspot.ch/2015/09/updates-chinese-composition-jay.html

“Learning Chinese - Composition 作文”：  http://miniliew.blogspot.ch/2015/08/learning-chinese-composition.html

“Learn Chinese Compositions”:  http://miniliew.blogspot.ch/2015/05/learn-chinese-compositions.html

 

Why Do We Need Dictation For Our Kids

Learning how to write words is one thing they have to learn in school.  But learning “what to write” is more important.  Sometimes, if the kids is doing both at the same time, learning what to write and at the same time, learning how to write, that will waste a lot a lot of the time, and the impact is great.  Somehow, they will develop a blockage and fear in learning Chinese.

So, to make learning Chinese fun!  Especially when doing Chinese composition, we need a better way to teach our kids.  So, we do what we do the best, divide and conquer.  First, teach them, how to form correct sentence in their mind.  And once they figure out what to write, they simply “speak it out” and the Dictation software function will transform your speech into writings.  They can correct it all the time, by simply saying it out.  Like this, they don’t have to slow down by figuring out how to write.  That is another task.

By doing this exercise, it also correct their Chinese speaking, and so to make them more accurate when pronounce the words.  Later you will see that the dictation do sometimes record wrongly what I said because I was not speaking so clearly.  

 

How to Turn Dictation On

I think both IOS8 or IOS9 has this.  For Android or other OS users, you have to find yourself a way that is equivalent to using Apple iPad or iPhone.  Sorry.

Go to Settings -> General

Go to "Keyboard"

Under DICTATION, “Enable Dictation”, that’s it.

Now, you might want to turn on Predictive too.  Just in case you say something not clear and the dictation software can predict what you are really trying to say.  

Sometimes, some parents may think it is not good as the kids might not learn their mistake if the computer is doing all the correction for them.  Up to you.

So, launch Notepad or Word or Pages, etc.  And start using dictation by pressing the MIC button.

And you can change the language the same way.  By pressing the Globe button.

 

Videos

This is how you setup.  

And see me in action.  Speaking to the iPad and the dictation carefully jot down what I said.  I am impress with the accuracy.

Oh ya… You can toggle into English keyboard with English dictation too.

So far, I have been having a lot of positive results from teaching Jay Jay how to write compositions.  He is getting better in terms of forming the correct sentence with correct syntax, instead of direct translations from English and direct jot down from speaking.

Hope you have fun with your kids too.

Learning should be fun!

Learn Chinese Compositions

Date:  May 4, 2015

“May the 4th be with you!"

Last week, I posted a very interesting method of learning Chinese.

Last week article.  http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2015/04/date-apr-26-2015-i-would-love-that-my.html

This week, I wanted to tell you why it is useful.  It was meant for Oral test and reading.  

But today I find that it is useful for doing Chinese Composition Writings too.

Students are allowed to bring electronic dictionary into the class to take the Chinese paper 1.  Which is Chinese Composition writing.

If you don’t know how to write the words or phrases, don’t worry, simply type the Han Yu Pin Yin will do.

For example “Zhi Dao” is ”知道“.

Even they are not sure about the correct Han Yu Pin Yin, they can simply type “zd”, which is the first alphabet for Zhi and the first alphabet of Dao.  And then, you just scroll to the words you want. 

But how does the kid know how to read the words they wanted to write?  So that they can key in the Han Yu Pin Yin?

Unfortunately, there is no easy way.  You have to READ MORE and LEARN MORE.

The more you read, the more that you will learn and use the Chinese words.  If you seldom read, then, you will definitely don’t know how to search and write.

I started to use this Oral test assessment book.

Inside has 15 passages.  This is one of them.

Next, I start to read the story books.  

I would say these story books has about 75% of the vacabs that Jay knows how to read.  There are 25% still he does not know how to pronounce.

So, what I did is to record down my voice reading the story.

Then, every morning or day, I will ask him to listen to the recording and eyes look at the passage.  Read it inside his mind, not reading out loud.  

The more he read the books, the more he will hear my voice.  It is also a very familiar voice.  So, it felt natural for him to read the story book this way.

It is kind of like an audiobook.  :)  Here is the sample of my voice.  hahahaha

So, the more he read, the more he understand the usage of the the Chinese words and sentences.

The more he read, the more he will remember.

Usually, takes about 5-7 days to read one passage or a story.

There will be a lot of words he had not seen before.

But because he is reading it, he remember it subconsciously.

Because he remember how it was pronounce, he is able to tell what is the Han Yu Pin Yin.

Because he has seen the words before, when he key the Han Yu Pin Yin, he is able to select the correct words and learn how to write them.

So far the result has been good.

Lastly, I want to share with you this passage.  Telling why we need to teach our kids to read.

Don’t worry, it not only apply to Mommy, also apply to Daddy.

Confident look, confident writing.  May the force be with you.

Chinese Cultural Night

Date:  Sep 19, 2014

You want your kids to learn something, it is better to 

1) Tell them, you are learning too.

2) Not only to tell them, but show them that you are learning too.

3) Be able to show the difference of before learn and after learn.

4) And don’t force them.  

HaHaHaHa...

Wife wanted to enrol in a Chinese Calligraphy class.  Because she wanted to write “good Chinese” on to her clay (陶瓷) works.  She told me, she can ad-hoc attend some class (1.5 hour) while Jay Jay is doing his Brain Fit class at Marine Parade.

So, she secretly doing practice on his Chinese Calligraphy after dinner.  

We bought from Taobao a lot of Chinese Calligraphy brushes and practising pad.

You don’t even need to use the Chinese Calligraphy Ink.  Just dip the brush into the water, and then, it will appears dark black just like ink on the practising pad.

好用功哦！She is not from Chinese School background from Malaysia.  That is why she said she never learn how to write.

When you look closely.  She is like “filling” in the stroke, instead of “stroke” it.  HaHaHaHa… 

She also seems like holding the pen so hard too.

I cannot “tahan” so, I said, let me show you how it should be done.  Not colouring it.  HaHaHa

So I picked up a brush and start writing.

“Jay Jay, come and see who’s writing better…"

Then, Kay Kay came.  And asked for the paper and brush too.

Automatically.

Because kids is like this when they are young.  

They will follow what parents do.

They are like a copy cat.

So, while they are young, it is better to take huge advantage of this, to teach kids a few tricks.

They will want to learn “automatically” but not being force.

You will always need to prepare extra writing pads and extra brushes there. 

Just like what Kay Kay did.  Came and sit in, and write.

And he watched.  He learned, and we write.

As for Jay Jay, he has past that age.  

More intelligent now, know what he likes and why he does not like.

But to join the fun… “Mommy, you want to hear I do Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars” on Er Hu?

Yes of course.

Now, very important.  Let the kid do finish his song.

Don’t interrupt.  Even it is out of tune.

I never learned Er Hu, so, I cannot tell him what is the right way to do it.

But I am very sure the Er Hu teacher in school be able to teach him, and tell him that it is out of tune.

I learn this the hard way from Kay’s swimming class.  The parent always wanted to teach, but it always end up teaching the wrong way, and the kid will always become confuse about it when teacher say otherwise than the parents. 

We have to always be aware that, 1) kids always listen to teacher.  2) kids always listen to parents.

Now, imagine, if teacher teaches one way, and parent teach another.  Who will be confused?  Who the kid need to listen?  Listen to the teacher?  Listen to the parents?  Or don’t listen at all.  I know it is hard.  But parents does not always know the thing well.  And we really have to be careful, be mindful about it.  

So parents sometime have to "let it go”.  We parents always think we doing the write thing for the kids but are we that right?  Are the way we taught conforms to MOE teaching?

But not always every thing we have to consider that way.

For example, teaching Kay Kay write Chinese Calligraphy.  We can teach whatever we like, as long as we know they are not learning it from school.  We then use the best way to teach.  Our own way.  So, when I said “don’t correct his way holding the brush” because, I know if we teach him the correct way, he will find hard to hold and he will eventually give up.  Build up his confident by practicing, let him do it many times before correcting him.  I know there will be danger that he will fix into that holding brush style, but that will be our decision to correct or not correct him.

Now Jay Jay is trying to listen to the tune he played.

I was away for a while, and when I come back, I can’t help it, must take a photo of this.

Mommy teaching Kay and Mommy learning too.

Jay Jay playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars with his Er Hu behind the scene.

It does not matter at the beginning stage how Kay hold his pen.  

The most important thing is to make him do it on himself.

You don’t do it every day, but you simply just do it once or twice a month or so.

Let him feel the fun, and let him “experience” the Chinese Culture.

Then, after writing a page or so, Kay Kay joined his brother, and watch him play.  

Btw, that is the Er Hu I bought for him from Taobao.  It’s made in plastic, cost about S$20.

As you can see the kids are having fun.  The most important thing is that they are having fun.

Let’s call it a Chinese Cultural Night.

Jay, why don’t you sit on the chair and play for your Mommy and Kay Kay.

Please take note.  Parents has zero knowledge of Er hu.  Jay Jay learned that entirely from school.  All I did is buy an Er hu for him.

Now, the two brother play together.  Sound nice.  hahaha

After the Chinese Cultural Night, don’t forget to “reward” them.  A nice 10-15min of iPad is a great reward.

Kay Kay says “Check”.

See, even playing chess can be influenced by parents and push it into their day to day lives.  The first game they play is Chess.  And it is a battle between the two brothers.

After that, it’s time for bed.

And it is time to read to the kids.  

Reading to the kids with proper pronunciations is very important.  As a parent, you got to make sure all the ending sounds are read.  So that Jay Jay will learn it too.

 

Kay Kay Reading Chinese

Date:  Feb 15, 2014

No long ago, I bought these books from Malaysia’s Popular Bookstore for Jay & Kay to read.

See here… http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2014/02/teaching-chinese.html

Today, let’s put it to real test.

Let’s ask Master Kay to read the Chinese Book.

He is reading the first 100 words series.

See Kay Kay in action!

As what I have said in my previous blog entry, the book introduce the same characters in the series.  So, it is very easy for Children to recognise the words.  And what you have learned in the previous books, thru repetitions, it will appears in the next books so that you can get familiarise fast.

Good Job Kay Kay!

I made a small mistake last time with Jay Jay.  I always thought that he went to school and learn the Chinese is enough already.  But it turns out that it is not enough.  That is why for Kay Kay, I will try my best to read with them, make them read Chinese books a few times a week, so that they get enough practise.

Learning Chinese Flash Cards At Dinning Table

Date:  Sep 28, 2013

We love the small little activities during our dinner time.  We not only have great meals here...

Why so funny look?

Oh, Jay said "Yum Yum!"

As mommy cook the Tibet Wild Black Fungus with Fuchow Red Wine and Chickens.  Yummy indeed.

So, what shall we do after the dinner?

So, mommy test their Chinese flash cards.

Some times, you can tell what is your children's progress in learning these Chinese words.

And I love this… There is no ashamed to look at your brother for help sometimes.  HaHaHa

As I said before, at home, we speak Mandarin with the kids, but the kids when they speak to each other, they speak English somehow.  We cannot understand why, but may be it is because we put them in Lorna Whiston FULL DAY since young, so, they get to pick up this habit since they spent so much time in school with their friends and with each other.

So, as parent, who wants them to really know Chinese language, we can only hope that thru more fun practise, we can strengthen their foundations.

I love this one.

Jay Jay actually read the 瓢虫 (Piao2 Chong2) into 瓜虫 (Gua2 Chong2).  I taught him that and he applies it.  有边读边.

Later in the video you will see how Kay Kay reads the Dragon Fly into Butterfly.  

蜻蜓看成蝴蝶

So, you can see Kay Kay is only memorising some parts of the word and do guessing.  But it is good enough for a N2 kid.  

He is especially proud of teaching his older brother Jay those Jay does not know.

We have also need to tell and teach the kids not to be ashamed when you do not know the words but little brother knew it.  We have to explain why?  And make sure their confident level is still there.

Memory Vs. Violin

Date:  May 16, 2012

Jay Jay is taking Violin lesson now.  However, everytime I went to the class and hear how he play, not that fantastic.  So, I decided to also teach him some tricks.

So, I asked him to play his favorite song today.  And then, we will focus only on that song.

So, I ask him to forget about playing the whole song and reading out loud the notes each time he played.  He blur...

So, I explained to him that I only wanted to listen to him playing the first 4 notes.  Let's concentrate on those 4 notes.

This is where you can teach him not to pull the bow too hard, and must always let the bow rest and play on a limited area, instead of flying around.

This is the famous divide and conquer.  Learn 4 notes at a time.  By the time he learned this first 4 notes.  He has already remember by hard.  And can play without looking at the song book.  And his left fingers automatically know how to run with the song.  Then, I teach him not to look or stare at his fingers.  And he should look at me instead.  And after a few minutes, he gladly perform that too.

I managed to take a few video shots... and he is doing great.  Although the notes are not that perfect, but the fact that he can grasp the idea of performing art, has already make me very happy.  By the time we ended this home pratice session, he already learn and remember how to play 14 notes without looking at the song book.

Well done Jay!  Daddy is proud of you.  Keep on the good work.

Here is the Facebook video clips.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150818412593284&ref=notif&notif_t=video_comment

 

CNY Celebration & Taking photo with our MP Yu-Foo Yee Shoon

The date is Feb 13, 2011.

It is the time of year where our estate, Park West Condo, arrange a Lion Dance to celebrate CNY.

However, this year is special.  As there is a guest of honor joining the CNY celebration @ Park West.  She is MP Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.

No wonder it was so crowded this morning.  I have never see such a huge show up @ such event.

And this year, the lion dance and the dragon dance is exceptionally good.  The performance is also great!  The timing is controled within MP's departure timing.  The Lion & Dragon Dance show is just good timing.

Hmmm... may be MP does not want to promote too much of gambling, so, the oranges this year is also simple and to my surprise, without four numbers.... hmmm... its a 财 character which mean money.  But if you look carefully, you see two 8's, a 7 and the last number sort of looks like 5.  So, it shall be 8875 for this year.

The minister actually gave a quick speech, promoting her divisions, etc.  But there are two things that she mentioned that raise my eye brow...

1.  She likes our estate as it is one of the oldest condo estate that still have a lot a lot of big spaces, etc.

==> Yipee!  Does that mean that the ENBLOC will not go thru?  FYI.  We did not sign for enbloc.  Park West is very near Clementi center.  In fact, it is one of the condo that is nearest to it.  There is a new shopping mall - Clementi Mall opening soon.  And our estate is quite big and feel very good.

2.  Around our estate, there are quite a number of famous school, i.e. Nan Hua Primary School, since the estate is so near to the school, she mentioned that our kids will have very good chance to get into Nan Hua.

==>  OK.  If my Jay Jay and Kay Kay failed to get in, I am sure to go and see her.  :)  But my wife reminded me that she also looking for volunteers to help the department or so... Hmmm.... Does it mean that I also need to volunteer myself?  Since I got rejected from Nan Hua for Volunteer job, 2 times.  May be I will volunteer for the community center in this area?  Hmmm... I need to do serious consideration on this!

MP then walk towards us, and then, and wanted to take photos with this family (us).  So, we had a very nice photos with the MP.

Just in case you wonder who is the couple on my right, they are the owner of my Block 4 unit in the same estate.  I sold the unit to them a year ago.