5 comments about Billy and Benboo: The Monsters and the Magic Wand, Learn Mandarin Chinese Beginner Level 2.

1. I've reviewed the video tape Billy and BenBoo and really like the Multi-Cognition Approach on which it is based. I also like the organization of the story. I believe that both children and adults who deal with children will find it entertaining while learning Chinese.



2. The Language Tree video is well done and professional. The pacing was easy to follow and I appreciated the non-stereotypical approach used for teaching Mandarin Chinese



3. I bought this tape for my 5 & 7 year old nieces, and they both enjoyed it! After playing this tape several times, my nieces not only were fascinated by the story and adventure, they also started to pick up more Chinese vocabularies and became more receptive to using the language at home. In addition, what my cousin and I both really like about this language learning tool is that it does an excellent job in portraying the Chinese American culture in a realistic and sensitive manner. I find this language tool extremely appropriate and effective for Chinese Americans and would highly recommend it.



4. The video tape is very helpful and interesting. The repetition and clustering method of learning language really helps, and more importantly, children like the story.



5. I watched both the level 1 and level 2 videos with my American-born elementry school nephew and pre-school niece.
   The video was appealing to them because it's like a cartoon video. The scenes in the video are very visual and focused, it's directly related to the dialog, so it's very easy for children to understand what the video is teaching.

   The music and songs in the video are also great! I love the tunes, they are very catchy. The children learned it really fast, and soon they are singing along.
   I also like the fact that the song lyrics are made up of phrases from the teaching material, and repeat itself over and over. This helps the children to learn through repeatition.

   My nephew and niece are both attending private after school program to learn Chinese. I saw far more progress after watching the videos for few weeks, than they going to 1-1/2 years of language school. Plus if I watch the video with the kids, I know exactly what was taught in the video, it's much easier for me to start practcing with them. As oppose to going to the language school, which I have no idea what they are teaching, therefore it's hard for me to start a conversation in Chinese with them.
   Also the materials from the video are related to things we would normally encounter in real life, so there are many occasions to take the opportunity to practice the vocabularies.

   Lastly, the story of all the videos are centered around Billy and BenBoo, the two main characters, and their family, so you'll be familiar with the characters after the first video, and easy to move on to the next. I especially love the adorable dog Ben Boo, he's so playful and brings so much energy!

   Thanks Language Tree for making learning so much fun!!! I can't wait to see the next video!

No comments about Learning Chinese for Business.

5 comments about NiHao Little Friends - Learn Chinese with ChinaSprout.

1. My 5 year old loved this video. It helped her get started with understanding and speaking Mandarin. The video would be good for children from 2-7 years old who speak little or no Mandarin.



2. This is a wonderful video. It contains many of the same lessons and songs my daughter is learning at Chinese School. Its great fun and a great teaching tool. My my four year old readily listens to the entire tape!



3. Our daughter has been eager to learn more Mandarin. She began watching "NiHao Little Friends" at age 4,when it first came out. This video has made it easy to add more words to her vocabulary. She watches the children and teacher repeat the phrases. Having someone speak slowly and clearly on a child's level makes it very helpful. Our daughter and I have learned many useful words withthis video. Ages 3+ seem appropriate.



4. My 5 years son and I have enjoyed this video and learnt a lot, my son is getting the very chinese pronounciation of difficult words and really likes it. However the only problem is that a the end of the video there are some technical problems that make the image noisy and not clear.
   I am looking forward for a second one.



5. There are very few beginning Chinese language videos for kids so it's hard not to appreciate everything available. This one is very good - I really liked the Chinese pronounciation printed on the screen and little pamphlet that comes along with the video. Makes it easier for the viewer to sing along. The teacher does a good job reviewing numbers, colors, animals, etc. with good teaching aids. (something another earlier-produced Chinese video did not have.) The only small shortcoming is that it appears the video was produced with one camera without any special "add-ins" to raise the quality up a notch. I only say this to alert you if you are used to seeing other kids videos that have very slick graphics and cut-ins and outs. As I noted in the beginning of this review, there are very few Chinese videos fo kids so I very much appreciate something new for my child to watch.

5 comments about Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei.

1. Not only does my 4-year-old love learning Mandarin the "Mei-Mei" way...I do, too! Mei Mei teaches through a perfectly balanced blend of speaking, singing and actions. I like the fact that the production isn't slick or glitzy but seems very natural, including "real" kids. Everything about it is accessible, including the teacher herself. And you get your money's worth as the video doesn't skimp on time or content. I've often heard my daughter singing to herself the songs about pulling the carrot out of the ground and Honcai's sister...a genuine testimonial to the effectiveness of (and enjoyment provided by) this wonderful video. We have been clamoring for a "Volume 2!"



2. There are very few beginning Chinese language videos for kids available so I am grateful for everything I can find. This was the first Chinese language video I purchased and it's okay for a start. There is no accompanying booklet or printed words to follow along so you'll have to listen very closely to get the pronounciation corect. Some cute songs and exercises. The production quality is okay - not as slick as other kids' videos.



3. Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei is a favorite educational video for both children and their parents. My two kids are enamored with the first tape and now there are two more videos by Mei Mei Hu. They are equally as wonderful as the first. Mei Mei's videos have made a difference in the lives of many adoptive families. The reason is just as Adoptive Magazine stated, "Using songs, movement and activities, teacher Mei Mei Hu delivers a powerful learning experience in an enjoyable way."



4. Our now 15 month old daughter learned to use her VCR by herself just so she could watch Mei Mei over and over! She actualy learned to turn it on and hit the "play" button because Mei Mei was there! She loves the songs, the games, and of course, Mei Mei herself. In fact, one of the first things that she has spoken (after Ma Ma, Da Da, etc.) is "Ai Ya Ya" (a song lyric).

   Our older kids watch as well and have learned most of the songs just from watching with their little sister.

   It's so clear that Mei Mei loves teaching young children how to speak and sing in Chinese. What a wonderful gift she has.

   There is now a volume 2 and 3 which we have JUST ORDERED from Mei Mei herself! Now there is personal service.

   We recommend this video without reservation - GET YOURS NOW!




5. My 15 month old daughter loves to watch Chinese with Mei Mei. She does not move while watching this video. Along with my older children, we all are singing with Mei Mei.

   I have just ordered Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei Volumes 2 & 3. I eargerly await to see my daughters face when we watch them.

   These videos are a must have for children learning chinese. I have read a few poor reviews. When purchasing this video, one must keep in mind it is developed by educators for kids. My daughter loves to watch Mei over and over again. Your children will not be disappointed.