When I look back to my childhood time in mid of 1970’s, I clearly remember how my mother taught me to learn Chinese (Mandarin). Not so serious, of course, as I was still about 6 years of age at that time.
I still remember some of the rhyme she taught me:
妈妈， 妈妈来。来看弟弟。弟弟哭了。弟弟要妈妈抱。
Mama, Mama lai. Lai kan didi. Didi kule. Didi yao mama bao.
Mommy, Mommy come. Come and see little brother. Little brother is crying. Little brother wants Mommy to hold him.
When I was 7½ years old in early 1976, my mother enrolled me to have a Mandarin course in a church called Ka Im Tong (Jia Yin Tang) - in a small city of Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. On the first day I entered the Chinese class, I was the youngest pupil in the class. On that day, the class was teaching one Chinese word, Xin 信 (letter). I studied Mandarin three times a week, i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; from 3.00 to 5.00 pm.
During that day, official Chinese school/course was banned in Indonesia due to political matter. All Chinese culture was prohibited in Indonesia from mid of 1960’s until late of 1990’s.
That’s why I had to study Mandarin in a church. The Mandarin course was masked by Christianity teaching in church. Actually my parents were Confucians follower, not Christian.
I studied Mandarin from 1976 until end of 1978. I asked my mother to quit from the Mandarin course. Actually it was fun to study there. I had lots of friends there.
Since then, I never learned Mandarin again until end of year 2002; it’s about 24 years after I stopped my Mandarin course! In Nov 2002, after I got married, I enrolled myself to study Mandarin in an official course with native teachers from China. I learned Mandarin until early 2004, and then I stopped again.
Since late 1999 and early 2000 Chinese courses are not prohibited again in Indonesia. Lots of Chinese teachings are open, in courses and also in public school.
This time I need to study Chinese again (even by self-study), I have to accompany my children to study Mandarin. My children get Mandarin lecture in their public school.
Dear All, please wish me to study Mandarin language until I, at least, understand and able to communicate in Mandarin!!
