Kids have fun learning foreign languages at Hinsdale library program
By Chuck Fieldman cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com November 3, 2011 5:00PM
William Li leads a Chinese Mandarin language storytime Nov. 3 at the Hinsdale Public Library. | Chuck Fieldman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 11, 2011 8:11AM
Nancy and Mac MacDonald didn’t plann to spend 30 minutes with their grandson, Charlie Berko, 2, in a Chinese Mandarin-language family storytime program Oct. 27 at the Hinsdale Public Library.
Rain prevented a planned outing to the park, so the library became the destination.
“We were going to read books; we didn’t even know about this program,” Nancy McDonald said. “We found out when we got here, and we decided to pick up on the opportunity. Charlie is learning some Spanish words, so we thought we’d bring him to this, too.”
The Chinese Mandarin family storytime was the last of three programs presented on consecutive days at the library by Language Stars, a national company that offers play-based, full immersion foreign language programs in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Italian and German for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school children.
The three sessions at the Hinsdale library, one each in Spanish, French and Chinese Mandarin, were presented by people from Language Stars’ Hinsdale office.
“Doing these story times at the library is a good way for us to give back to the community and let people see what we offer,” said Kaylene House, director of the local Language Stars operation. “Our goal is to teach children in the same way they learn English.” House said all of the presenters are native speakers of the language they teach.
Nancy McDonald said she was glad she and her husband brought Charlie to the Mandarin Chinese storytime. Charlie said he most enjoyed the songs and puppets that were part of the program.
Nicole Chen brought sons Fred, 4, and Ari, 2, to the Mandarin Chinese storytime at the library.
“They already go to Language Stars, and I try to get them as much exposure as possible to the Mandarin language,” Nicole Chen said.
Fred smiled often during the program and gave it a “thumbs-up” after it had ended for the day.
“I liked all of it,” he said.
The Mandarin Chinese program was conducted by William Li, who engaged children, interactively, in a story about animals. His presentation included reading a story, singing and stuffed animals.
“I am happy to see they are learning,” Li said. “I want to make it fun for them and make them feel interested.”
The three Language Stars programs last week were the first offered at the Hinsdale library, but they won’t be the last, said Tiffany Verzani, the library’s assistant director.
“It went very well,” she said. “We have time between our six-week storytime programs, and we plan to continue offering these foreign language programs in between those.”
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