X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • SPF 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

“I Like to Teach": 7-Year-Old Singapore Homeschooler Is Already Teaching Chinese

3 min read

Nothing can describe this 7-year-old homeschooler aside from she is “gifted”. 

At a young age, Tan Xi En conducts three Chinese-language classes a week that last for an hour for students of a similar age, as featured by The Strait Times. 

This 7-year-old homeschooler teaches one-on-one lessons in a room of a Housing Board flat in Ang Mo Kio, where she currently has four pupils. 

Xi En helps her mother who is a home-based Chinese-language tutor, who is also the reason this young child loves speaking Chinese. 

Learning Mandarin

Since she was born, Xi En was exposed to the Chinese language as it is her family’s main medium of communication at home.

In fact, her mother spoke Mandarin to Xi En exclusively until she turned two. 

“Once it’s your dominant language, interest is just a natural part of it, ” Xi En’s mother said. 

Her mother also added that Xi En grew very quickly in speaking Mandarin and realised to enjoy the beauty of the language. 

When Xi En turned three, she could actually understand the language up to the Primary 6 level. 

Presently, Xi En enjoys borrowing around 60 books from the library every six weeks.

She loves reading Chinese history books, and not the kid’s version. Xi En was able to advance her Chinese language skills by reading books from an adult section.

In fact, she recently completed a 400-page biography of Tang dynasty empress Wu Zetian, shared by Ms Tan to The Strait Times. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  A post shared by XiEn Seven YearOld Tutor (@xienhappy)

Teaching Chinese-language lessons 

Just like anyone else, Xi En started as a student in her group class; however, her skills developed and advanced quickly. 

“We thought it made more sense for her to learn the skill of teaching or professional management instead,” explained her mother.

“Children are absorbing things around them all the time. Xi En and I have a very close relationship, so she’s always eager to get into what I’m doing.

She would check in with the students and make sure they were on track. She picked up the skill just by observing and being a part of the process.”

“Sometimes it feels easy, sometimes it does not.” This is what Xi En said when asked about her being a teacher.

“At times, I will feel tired, but I see it as one of my responsibilities and a mission I want to complete.”

Partner Stories
Unlock Your Child’s Potential at the Stamford American Early Learning Village: Meet Our Principals for an Innovative Preschool Experience!
Unlock Your Child’s Potential at the Stamford American Early Learning Village: Meet Our Principals for an Innovative Preschool Experience!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
NTU Singapore and Marshall Cavendish Education Collaborate to Develop Online Courses for K12 Educators
NTU Singapore and Marshall Cavendish Education Collaborate to Develop Online Courses for K12 Educators

“I like to teach… and I am happy that more people get to learn Chinese.”

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Cheryl Wong

  • Home
  • /
  • Education
  • /
  • “I Like to Teach": 7-Year-Old Singapore Homeschooler Is Already Teaching Chinese
Share:
  • Unleash Your Inner Adventurer: Singapore School Holiday 2023 Edition!

    Unleash Your Inner Adventurer: Singapore School Holiday 2023 Edition!

  • PSLE 2023 Dates: Mark Your Calendar for the Primary School Leaving Examination

    PSLE 2023 Dates: Mark Your Calendar for the Primary School Leaving Examination

  • MOE School Holidays 2023 Singapore: Plan Your Exciting Breaks!

    MOE School Holidays 2023 Singapore: Plan Your Exciting Breaks!

  • Unleash Your Inner Adventurer: Singapore School Holiday 2023 Edition!

    Unleash Your Inner Adventurer: Singapore School Holiday 2023 Edition!

  • PSLE 2023 Dates: Mark Your Calendar for the Primary School Leaving Examination

    PSLE 2023 Dates: Mark Your Calendar for the Primary School Leaving Examination

  • MOE School Holidays 2023 Singapore: Plan Your Exciting Breaks!

    MOE School Holidays 2023 Singapore: Plan Your Exciting Breaks!

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.