Jia & Li Wei
From: 🇨🇳 China
Ages: 38 & 39
Languages Spoken: Mandarin, English
Current Location: Melbourne, Australia
Child: Kai, age 5
Story: Mandarin at home with grandparents’ help. English is picked up at preschool. Kai is fluent in both, with Mandarin reinforced by cartoons and songs.
Can you describe your family’s language background?
We were both born and raised in China and speak Mandarin as our native language. We moved to Melbourne about ten years ago and speak fluent English, especially at work and socially. At home, Mandarin is still our default.
Which languages are you using, how and where, and how did you decide on that mix?
Mandarin at home, English outside. Kai speaks Mandarin with us and his grandparents, and English with his teachers and friends. We decided on this mix to make sure he keeps his Chinese roots alive while adapting fully to Australian life.
Why is teaching those languages important for you?
Mandarin connects Kai to his heritage, his grandparents, and our family values. English is essential for school, friends, and living here in Australia. We want him to feel confident and at home in both worlds.
When did you first decide to raise your child bilingually?
Even before he was born. We always knew that Mandarin would be spoken at home, no matter what. It wasn’t even a question — just a commitment we shared.
Did you follow a specific strategy (e.g. OPOL, ML@H), or did it evolve naturally?
We follow a version of ML@H (Minority Language at Home). Everyone in the household, including the grandparents, speaks Mandarin at home. English comes in naturally through preschool, media, and everyday life in Melbourne.
What were your biggest concerns at the beginning — and how did those play out over time?
Our biggest worry was that Kai might fall behind in English. But preschool immersion worked beautifully. He was quiet at first but started speaking confidently after a few months.
What helped you stay consistent in using both languages? What’s your routine?
Routine and reinforcement. Mandarin cartoons, storytime every night in Mandarin, and regular phone calls with family in China. Grandparents live with us and speak only Mandarin to Kai — that makes a huge difference.
Has your approach changed as your child got older?
Yes, we’ve started adding more structured reading and writing in Mandarin now that he’s five. He’s already learning letters in English at preschool, so we balance it with characters at home.
How do you handle resistance or when your child favours one language?
Sometimes he resists Mandarin when tired or when he’s around English-speaking friends. We stay patient, model it ourselves, and make Mandarin fun — songs, games, stories. We never force it or make it a fight.
Have you experienced any moments of breakthrough or pride in their language development?
Definitely. The first time he translated a joke for his grandfather and laughed in both languages — that was unforgettable. And when he sang a full Chinese nursery rhyme at preschool, his teachers were impressed.
What role has extended family, or your community played in supporting (or challenging) your goals?
Our family has been our biggest support. The grandparents’ presence is the anchor. Our local Chinese community also provides events and library resources. Melbourne has good multicultural support, so we haven’t felt isolated.
Got a funny or unexpected story from your bilingual journey? We’d love to hear it.
One day he told us “Don’t say that, it’s a naughty word!” — turns out it was a perfectly innocent phrase in Mandarin that sounds funny in English. We had to explain the difference between tone and meaning!
Have you ever felt pressure (internal or external) about your bilingual goals?
Yes. Sometimes we feel like we have to “prove” he’s fluent in both, which is silly. And there’s always the fear that if we ease off, Mandarin will fade too quickly. It’s constant, quiet pressure.
Do you feel like your child connects emotionally or culturally to both languages?
He does. He’s just as excited to video call his Chinese cousins as he is to play with his Aussie friends. He switches naturally and understands that both are part of who he is.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge?
Finding high-quality Mandarin books for his age group here in Melbourne. We’ve had to import some from China and rely on digital versions for variety.
What has surprised you most in a positive way?
How quickly kids adapt. Within six months of preschool, he was speaking English fluently. But his Mandarin hasn’t suffered — he just knows when and where to use each one.
What technology or other resources do you use to support language learning?
YouTube Kids (curated), iHuman Chinese app, Bilibili Kids, Spotify Mandarin playlists, and regular video calls with family. We also subscribe to a Chinese children’s book club that delivers monthly.
Have schooling or childcare settings helped or hindered the process?
Preschool has helped — they encourage diversity and let Kai share Mandarin songs with classmates. We’ve spoken with the teachers, and they’re supportive of his bilingual background.
If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?
Start character recognition earlier. We focused so much on spoken Mandarin that reading took a back seat. We’re now playing catch-up, but he’s catching on fast.
What advice would you give to other parents just starting out?
Be consistent. Don’t worry about perfection. Surround your child with the language through family, media, and fun. Let it be something they associate with love, not stress.