Introduction

It's widely known that many children in Singapore face significant hurdles when it comes to mastering the Chinese language. Even youngsters with fluent parents can find it daunting, leading to a lack of enthusiasm for learning. Remember the infamous tale of Eleanor Lee, who so struggled with her Chinese exams that her mother, Quan Yi Fong, dramatically tore up her exam script and tossed it out the window?

Zed's Encouraging Journey

But for Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, there's reason to celebrate! Their son, 10-year-old Zed, appears to defy this trend. Currently in Primary Four, he not only embraces the challenge of learning Chinese but is also motivated to excel because he believes his parents are 'really good at it.'

Mother Tongue Symposium Participation

Recently, Fann shared an inspiring update on Xiaohongshu, detailing their family's participation in a Mother Tongue symposium held in September. At this event, they discussed strategies for helping children engage with the Chinese language. Zed wasn’t merely a spectator; he actively participated and confidently shared his insights with the host.

Zed's Fluency and Challenges

Viewers were certainly impressed with Zed's fluency when he read a few lines in Chinese, showcasing skills that many parents could only dream of for their children at that age. However, it's not all straightforward for Zed; he admitted that writing in Chinese poses a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to dictation, which he described as 'very difficult.'

Supportive Home Environment

To combat this, Fann employs a dedicated approach to help Zed prepare for his dictation tests. She spends the week leading up to the exams assisting him in learning, conducting practice tests, and ensuring he masters any tricky characters through dedicated practice.

Family Adventures

The family's commitment to making Chinese learning a part of their everyday lives shines through during their shared experiences. Zed recounted a recent trip to Beijing, where he and Fann tackled the iconic Great Wall of China. Though the 45-degree slope proved to be a daunting challenge—one that even made Zed feel queasy after just a few meters—they maintained an adventurous spirit. 'The Great Wall of China is too high. I threw up,' he humorously shared, earning laughter from the audience.

Looking Forward

Despite the misadventure, Zed is eager to revisit the Great Wall and explore more of Beijing in the future. Fann proudly expressed how moving it is to see Zed speaking Mandarin with increasing confidence, declaring, 'Learning our Mother Tongue together makes every experience enjoyable and fun!'

Conclusion

It’s heartwarming to witness a young boy thriving in a subject that many find challenging, thanks to the encouragement of his supportive parents. Will Zed continue to inspire others with his journey? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: with the backing of Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, this bright star is destined for greater heights!