The summer is a great time to expose kids to a foreign language. I received a huge box of books from Tuttle Publishing that are perfect for this and I am giving most of them away. Please see the Rafflecopter giveaway below.
What languages would your kids be interested in? Are you using any great sites, books or videos? Please share!
Teaching Kids Mandarin Chinese
Ah, Mandarin Chinese … such a struggle to learn! With four tones making one sound mean four different words, it’s a different way to view a language. The writing system is also challenging. No alphabet (though Pinyin is used to for pronunciation). Instead, one character for every word. My kids are trying to learn Chinese with varying degrees of resistance.
Still, just exposing them to a new way of looking at a language is helpful. And songs, games and picture books can perhaps get them interested in exploring Mandarin.
Is Chinese the language of the future? Probably. It certainly won’t hurt to dip a toe in!
We love the Follow Jade DVD series. Sadly, there are just two but here is a free clip.
I Know How to Ni-hao by Susanne Aspley, illustrated by Lucas Richards
This illustrated bi-lingual picture book still manages to pack in a lot of vocabulary words but also includes rhyming sentences. It includes with items related to school, animals, numbers, household objects, and even outer space. I love how it includes a few pages of games in the back and also a bi-lingual glossary. It’s the perfect dose of foreign language for a summer! Combine it with a video to master correct pronunciation. [picture book, for ages 2 and up]
My First Book of Chinese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book by Faye-Lynn Wu, illustrated by Aya Padrón
A perfect first book introduction to Chinese for any age. It combines Chinese culture with Chinese characters along with rhyming English text. There is a Chinese word in each rhyme written out in English. The Chinese character is also on the page. I think you will still have trouble pronouncing the Chinese word correctly unless you speak Chinese though. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Chinese and English Nursery Rhymes (with audio CD) by Faye-Lynn Wu, illustrated by Kieren Dutcher
The nursery rhymes are bi-lingual and the audio CD makes it easy to hear the Chinese words. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Related Posts:
Teach Kids Chinese Through Songs
Teach Kids Chinese Words in a Fun and Easy Way
Learn Chinese Words and Culture Through Books
Introducing Your Kids to Chinese and Spanish
How to Pronounce Pinyin (Cheat Sheet)
Learn Chinese Words with Bingo Game
Teaching Kids Korean
My mother-in-law would love my kids to learn Korean and so far, only PickyKidPix is interested. Korean is an alphabet language much like English. Here’s a video on how to pronounce the Korean alphabet.
My First Book of Korean Words: An ABC Rhyming Book by Henry J. Amen IV and Kybyong Park, illustrated by Aya Padrón
With just one book, your kids will be exposed to Korean culture and the Korean alphabet in a rhyming beautifully illustrated picture book. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
All About Korea: Stories, Songs, Crafts and More by Ann Martin Bowler, illustrated by Soosoonam Bary
If you wanted one book to cover Korea from songs, folk tales, food, and crafts, this would be it. It’s perfect for exploring the culture of Korea. You could mine this book for months if you wanted to do an in-depth unit on Korea, or treat it as a reference book and skip around. It’s the kind of book where you learn something new every time you flip through it. It won the 2012 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award! [non-fiction picture book, ages 4 and up]
Korean Nursery Rhymes: Wild Geese, Land of Goblins and Other Favorite Songs and Rhymes (with CD) by Danielle Wright, illustrated by Helen Acraman
Songs are a very effective way to expose kids to a language. The repetition needed to remember new foreign words is quite palatable through catchy tumes and nursery rhymes! These are the nursery rhymes and songs that Korean kids grow up with; their “Mother Goose” if you may. [picture book with CD, ages 1 and up]
Teaching Kids Japanese
Japanese is actually not so different from Spanish in terms of pronunciation. Like Spanish, it’s consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel. There is a basic “alphabet” called Hiragana of 47 letters that are used to make words and to show how characters are pronounced.
Then, there is Katakana which is another alphabet of about 50 letters used to spell out and pronounce foreign words.
Finally, Japanese borrows Chinese characters in which each character means a word which the Japanese call Kanji. Like Chinese, each character means one word. The pronunciation is totally different from Chinese though.
Here’s a video on how to pronounce Hiragana.
My First Book of Japanese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book by Michelle Haney Brown, illustrated by Aya Padrón
With ABC rhymes, this picture book is perfect for introducing preschool aged kids to the Japanese language but because Kanji and Hiragana are included, it also works perfectly for older kids trying to learn Japanese. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
My First Japanese Kanji Book: Learning Kanji the fun and easy way by Anna Sato and Eriko Sato
Want to learn to write Japanese Kanji characters? You can write in this book or just read the bi-lingual poems. It’s an illustrated picture book AND a workbook, all nicely hard-bound. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
My Awesome Japan Adventure: A Diary About the Best 4 Months Ever by Rebecca Otawa
There is a two page introduction to the Japanese writing system which includes two “alphabets” (Katakana and Hiragana) and characters called Kanji which are the same as Chinese characters. There are also some common greetings in Japanese written out in English. The format of book is a notebook graphic novel that mainly focuses on Japanese culture. This would be a really fun way to learn about Japan. [notebook style graphic novel for ages 6 and up]
Related Posts:
Bi-Lingual Japanese English Books for Kids
Teaching Kids Spanish
I Know How to Hola by Suzanne Aspey, illustrated by Lucas Richards
This is the same book as I Know How to Ni-hao but in Spanish. We will use both to compare and contrast. [picture book, for ages 2 and up]
I found a great site by a native speaker to teach kids Spanish called Spanish Bookworld. The language videos are organized by topic and are free!
Related posts:
Introducing Your Kids to Chinese and Spanish
Huge Giveaway of Books to Expose Kids to a Foreign Language
Please indicate which language package you are interested in. Feel free to pick your first, second and third choice.
Package 1: Exposing Kids to Korean Language and Culture
Package 2: Exposing Kids to Japanese Language and Culture
Package 3: Teaching Kids to Write Japanese
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Teaching Kids Spanish on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Teaching Kids Chinese on Pinterest.
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Great choices on learning the Korean language. I’m unfamiliar with the Japanese language books so they’re now on my list to check out!
Thanks Kathy!
My middle child wants to learn Korean so I think she will use those books. Her grandmother, uncle and aunts all speak Korean but I don’t any.
I’d like Package 3 – Writing Japanese. 2nd choice is Package 2 and 3rd choice is Package 1.
Hi Valerie,
I’m glad you are interested in Writing Japanese! I was afraid that no one would want to learn to write Japanese.
I have been wanting to get into different languages with my kids but haven’t found the right program yet. These books look like a great start! I’d choose Korean then Spanish then Chinese! Thanks for the great posts! I love your book lists
Thanks so much Kaymee! I am so glad that parents want to try these books!! They are terrific and hats off to everyone who entered who wants to expose their kids to foreign languages!
What very important post and a great list of great books and sites. With so many cultures, I think it is so important for children to e introduced to other languages. And, they are also great for adopted Asian or Latino childen. I had fun with Jade’s blog. I studied Spanish and Russan. When learning Russian in college, my professor wouldn’t let us use books unil the second quarter. We had to listen and learn. And, I found it so helpful, It gives you a great understanding of how children learn language. I’ve always been a proponent of teaching kids at a young age.
Hi Patricia,
I like the listen and learn approach too! I think it’s much harder to learn to converse if the foreign language curriculum is too heavily textbook and grammar based. I like learning a language the way babies learn; single words, then short phrases, then verbs incorrectly conjugated and pronouns also incorrectly used. Just trying to communicate without worrying about correct sentences helps with speaking and comprehension I think.
I would like package 2, then 1 and finally 3.
Thanks for entering Barbara!
What a great collection of resources! I am interested in packaged 3, then 2, then 1.
Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Thanks so much for entering MaryAnne!
I would like my kids to learn Mandarin, but my son is very interested in learning to write Japanese Kanji.
Hi Tara,
Sounds like the Writing Japanese package is perfect for yoour son. Thanks so much for entering. Good luck!!
What a wonderful resource! We lived in Hawaii for a few years and we really enjoyed learning Japanese culture with our friends from Japan and friends with the Japanese heritage. My daughter still sings Japanese songs from time to time. Languages and cultures are wonderful for kids. Thank you for this great giveaway!
Hi Amanda,
Thanks so much for your kind words! How wonderful that your daughter knows Japanese by way of songs!!
I would love package 2 the most then package 3. Although it is not a foreign language, I would love for my child to learn American Sign Language.
Hi Leslie N,
American sign language is a great skill to have. I recently learned that it’s different in different languages so it really is just like a foreign langauge!
I’d like to learn Italian.
Hi Kristen,
Italian is such a beautiful sounding language. I want to learn some too!
I would love for my kids to learn Spanish because we live in Southern California and we have a large spanish-speaking population. I would also be open to them learning any other language, as well!
Hi Erika,
Spanish is such a useful language! We are trying to learn it too. I’m from Southern California and I regret not studying it when I was in school!
My nephews are tiny tots, so I would love packages 2, 1 than 3.
Hi Jodi,
Thanks so much for entering!!!
What a great idea, I am totally new to Asian languages and am extremely interested in sharing them with my son. I have already started with English and French. I am interested in also teaching Spanish. My preferences are either package 1 and 2, with 1 being the first….
Hi Isabelle,
Thanks so much for entering! I think these books are a great introduction to Asian languages which are SO different from Romance languages! We are trying to learn Spanish and Chinese and it’s very slow going; both of them!
These are great books, and are just the level my students love. In order, I’d choose 3,1,2.
Thanks for doing this!
Thanks so much for entering Sally!!!
Wonderful giveaway! I’d love to win Package 2, then 3, and finally 1.
We’ve started reading to our toddler in French, Spanish and Italian but there aren’t many formal classes for children under three here in Sydney, which I think is unfortunate.
Hi Stephanie,
I like to use Sesame Street in a foreign language to get exposure. It works for a wide age range of kids too! I used video DVDs but you can sometimes find it on cable if you DVR it.
I would like my daughter to learn Spanish, Russian or German!
Hi Genevieve,
Great choices, all of them!
I don’t really care all that much which language(s) my kids choose, as long as they enjoy it. My husband and I have both studied multiple languages, so we won’t be surprised if the kids follow in our footsteps. If I had to choose, in order it’d be 3,2,1. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Kim,
Thanks so much for entering! You have such a great attitude about choosing a language!
My son has asked to learn Japanese so he can communicate better with his grandmother.
Hi Jennifer,
Oh, that is so sweet! I hope you win! Good luck!
My son has been so interested in Japanese, package 2 or 3.
Hi Liz,
That is so wonderful! Thanks so much for entering. I am glad I have two Japanese packages but I wish I had more!!
I am interested in packaged 3, then 2, then 1. I would like my kid to learn Spanish!
Hi Nancy,
Spanish is a useful one! We are trying to learn it too!
Ready For Spanish has a great cd that teaches Spanish to kids. I tried to post a link but i couldn’t, so i put the link as my website. Search for it on amazon it’s Ready For Spanish presents Ready For Radio & it’s Also on ITunes. It’s great, kids love it!!!
Hi LeShawnda,
Thanks so much for your great link: amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009PU3FWG/ref
Thanks for entering as well!!
What a wonderful blog post! Books for young readers that expose them to foreign languages are so important, and I am especially interested in translated children’s literature that provides readers with glimpses into other cultures.
I would be most interested in packages 2, 1, and 3. They all look like they would provide a rich and rewarding experience for a reader.
Thank you for all these wonderful resources!
Thanks so much for entering Kate!!
Love these!!! I’m interested in #2, #1, #3. I would love to do Spanish too! I teach in a high Hispanic population.
Thanks so much fore entering Erin!
Package 2 would be my first choice, followed by 3 and then package 1. My children have Japanese and German ancestry. So those are 2 languages I owe love for them to learn.
Thanks so much for entering Nicole! Good luck!
My first choice is package 3. I would love for my son and I to learn to speak and write some Japanese. Package 2 would be my second choice and package 1 my 3rd choice. I have wanted to learn another language for a while and I want to raise my son to be multicultural and learn other languages.
Thanks so much for entering Stephanie!!
I would like my grandchildren to learn Spanish.
Hi Debby,
We are trying to learn Spanish too! Thanks for entering to win for your grandchildren! What a thoughtful grandmother you are!
I like package 2 than 3 and then 1. They are all truly wonderful packages though 🙂
Thanks so much Cindy! And thank you for entering!!
I would like for my son to learn french.
Thanks for entering Emily!! French is a good one!
I’d love to expose my godson to new languages.
Hi Erika,
What a wonderful godmother you are! Thanks for entering!
#2, #1, then #3…really any of them would be great
Thanks so much for entering Heidi!! Good luck!
My three choices go package 2, 1, and 3. Great giveaway. Thanks!
Thanks so much Vanessa! So grateful to Tuttle Publishing for these great books!
I love that Japanese video for introducing sounds!!! I could have used that when learning hiragana.
Hi Cahterine,
I’m so glad you liked the video! I took Japanese too and it’s not the easiest language to learn but I sort of learned Hiragana thanks to these flashcards from my college professor that linked an image with the sound to the character.
You could also move to Mexico 🙂
Hi Tina,
I need to do something like that! I had my eye on Uruguay actually!
This is an awesome giveaway, thanks for sharing via Mommy Monday.
I’d love to learn Korean. I know a few phrases in Korean, I’d like to know more and teaching my kids would be a bonus.
I NEED to teach my kids spanish, it’s sad, I’m not fluent, which means they aren’t either.
XOXO
Hi Mrs. AOK,
LOL, we are both trying to teach our kids the same languages. My husband is Korean but he doesn’t speak it though he does understand it. My middle daughter wants to learn it too!
This is a great giveaway. I am interested in package 3, then 1, then 2. It’s good to know there are a lot of resources out there for all ages.
Hi Aleece,
Thanks so much! Tuttle Publishing has such great books for all ages to introduce both foreign cultures and languages. If you don’t win, I’m sure you can find them at your local public library as well!
I’m hoping to teach my kids Latin this year.
Hi Michele,
Wow!! You are the first to say Latin. My middle daughter is going to learn Latin next year in 7th grade. She’s excited about it; she thinks it will help her on her SATs (that kid is always planning ahead!) but she has an option to switch out the first week if she doesn’t like it.
I would like to encourage my niece to develop a love of learning early on and learn about her Chinese heritage.
Hi Lisa,
That’s wonderful! Thanks for entering and good luck!
I would love any of the books as I would like to donate them to refugee projects for kids on the Thai / Myanmar border. Any donation would be much appreciated. There are many organizations in which these can be donated. I often travel myself to visit villages along the border and it’s always nice to have something to take for the kids. I could also donate them to teachers who works with these kids to use in the classroom.
Thank you.
Hi Sarah,
I would love to get the addresses and names of the organizations that donate books. I will definitely have my kids help me to pack up a box to send!
I would love to win Package 2, then 3, then 1. I would love for my children to be exposed to Japanese.
Thanks so much for entering Kayla!
I want my kids to learn French, since this is where I’m from and I’m fluent in it. I just need a little help teaching them.
Hi Naomi,
How wonderful that you can teach your kids French! Thanks for entering. I wish I had French books to giveaway!
What a fantastic post and list of resources. Exposing your kids to other cultures and languages is paramount. This world must seem very closed to people who do not. Can you imagine? The world is so rich, how could you not want to embrace it?
Thanks for this.
Thanks Lisa,
We recently went to Italy and didn’t speak much Italian so I was reminded again how learning just a few phrases makes the experience so much richer (and makes people appreciate your effort!).
My daughter Is a 3rd grade teacher and i would choose french!
Hi Lee,
Thanks for entering. I wish I had French books to giveaway!
Thank you for this giveaway. I think it’s important for everyone in the world to learn basic words, like. Help, Doctors, Taxi, Bathroom, Police and many more. If anyone comes up to you, you will be able to understand them, Or no matter where we are we can ask for help. So any book would be great. Thank you for the giveaway.
Hi Elaine,
I agree and I would add Please, Thank You, Excuse Me, You’re Welcome.