True. Beijingers speak Beijing dialogue, not Putonghua. Teaching kids to speak the language requires more than just knowing the language but the ability to raise the kids' interest. So, it is the kind of person that you are looking for, not based on geographical area.
There is a big difference between Mandarin and Putonghua. The Taiwanese Mandarin has a heavy accent toward Fujian dialogue. It is like the Singaporean speaking English, with heavy accent twoard Fujian too. If you try to learn English in Singapore, all you get is their heavy accent that is unique to Singapore only but difficult to understand for outsiders like myself. So, try to stay away from Taiwanese teacher. I agree with the original writer that the anchorwoman of CCTV does speak perfect Putonghua. My spouse speak Beijing dialogue, Putonghua, Cantonese and English. So, I got some exposure in this area. Cantonese Putonghua, togther with Sichuan Putonghua are some of the worst teachers.
原帖由 kaka2000 於 09-3-5 13:23 發表
Just curious to know more. How about the mandarin from Taiwan??? Is it big different from standard Putonghua.
There is a big difference between Mandarin and Putonghua. The Taiwanese Mandarin has a heavy accent toward Fujian dialogue. It is like the Singaporean speaking English, with heavy accent ...
I don't agree on the bias of Taiwanese Mandarin. Only if you hear 陳水扁 then he has strong Fujian accent, and he is from Southern Taiwan, and he somehow I think he spoke in that way intentionally. But people like 馬英九 speak very good mandarin, so can't said Taiwanese Mandarin is bad. Singlish is another story, but even Singapore Govt know about this and try to change this in the education system too. Anyway just my 2 cents.
Ma's father, a high ranking military, came from Mainland so he speaks more in line of the Mainland Mandarin. That is why those people were being called Mainlander in Taiwan. Most Taiwanese speak their own version of Mandarin though. At least the friends I know from Taiwan.
About the Singaporean English, even the PM talks in that fashion. I lived in Singapore for a period of time (I even have the ID card!). Many times, I have to politely asked the Singaporeans to say it two or three times before I could understand. If you want your kids to speak English in the right footing, stay clear of the Singaporean version. I once talked to the Chief Judge about this situation. His comment: although Singaporean speaks poorly in English but their grammer and structure are very good whereas Hong Konger speaks poorly in English and with bad gammer. If you try to compare the two, Singapore still wins.
原帖由 popolung 於 09-3-6 14:04 發表
I don't agree on the bias of Taiwanese Mandarin. Only if you hear 陳水扁 then he has strong Fujian accent, and he is from Southern Taiwan, and he somehow I think he spoke in that way intentionally. ...
原帖由 Onsen 於 09-3-6 15:36 發表
Ma's father, a high ranking military, came from Mainland so he speaks more in line of the Mainland Mandarin. That is why those people were being called Mainlander in Taiwan. Most Taiwanese speak thei ...
This is why HK people like us will let their kids to study in IS and try to learn and live in a native English speaking environment! :>
Just wonder will student in SIS HK speak some kind of Singlish finally?
SIS's teachers are all came from Singapore. They are in fact proud of their distinct accent. So, kids from that school should inherit from the Singapore accented English. There is really nothing wrong with it because they are being compensated with the better knowledge of Chinese which the regular IS lacks.
Wise choice for letting your child to go to IS. It must be a tough decision for you and many sacrifice for time and money. However, you will win in the end.