Bottom line: We all know that young children absorb knowledge much easier than we do later in life. Learn Chinese with Lingokids is an app designed to help children learn some of the basics of the Chinese language by immersing them in the language using things like songs videos and games.
If you would like to download Learn Chinese with Lingokids (free to download, $59.99/year subscription), please use the handy link below.
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No ads, but there are in-app purchases for the annual subscription (currently $59.99/year), there are external links (that are protected) within the app for some of the extra material
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One of the best ways to help a young child learn is through exposure. This is true with all subjects but particularly, I feel, with foreign languages. Learn Chinese with Lingokids does just that by offering your little one a variety of activities covering multiple subject categories. There are lessons that cover things family, nature, body animals, and opposites. Kids will be exposed to numbers and shapes and much more.
Kids can easily choose which lessons they want to do in the subjects that interest them. In each of the categories there are listening games that give kids the opportunity to hear the Chinese language spoken and hear words applied to items that are easily recognizable. There are writing exercises that let children trace characters in the Chinese alphabet. Most of the categories have songs and videos that can be watched to supplement the learning process. An added bonus is that many of the categories have printable worksheets to complement the lessons.
This app lets you set up multiple profiles to track the progress of separate children. Parents can easily see which lessons their kids have completed and can help encourage them in their learning. The subscription price is annual and it allows users to take advantage of the content that is constantly being added to the app. Keep in mind that this subscription renews automatically.
This immersive method of exposing a child to languages would be most effective for younger preschoolers. I found that as an adult (and admittedly one that does not have an ear for spoken languages that aren't my own) I grew frustrated with trying to follow some of the lessons. It would have been very helpful to me if there had been some English>Chinese components for parents to help them to help their children. My younger child (who at seven is a little older than their target market) didn't seem to grow as frustrated as me and was able to complete more of the lessons. She always gravitates to songs and music lessons when they are available and this app was no different.
Overall, this app might be a good choice for parents that want to begin exposing their very young children to the Chinese language. The sheer volume of content offers plenty of exposure to language on a preschool level. Content can be downloaded so that the app can be used offline, and the printable worksheets offer a supplement away from your device. I do feel that the subscription cost might discourage some parents and I think the developer might be wise to offer a monthly subscription also for families who might not want to make such an investment right off the bat.
I'm giving this app 3.5 Stars.
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Kelli took two semesters of French in college, but please don't ask her to say anything. Smart Apps for Kids was paid a fee to review this app.
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