Overseas Chinese language learning market has shown a steady growth trend in recent years. With the increasing number of global Chinese immigrants, many Chinese families hope their children can learn Chinese to inherit the language and culture. The growing global interaction and development have prompted a Chinese learning craze, driven by business needs, academic exchanges, and travel interests. However, the perennial issue remains the headache of finding effective learning materials.
Hailing from Taiwan, Wu Tingying started learning the Erhu at the age of 8, and also studied the Guzheng, piano, and other musical instruments. She participated in Chinese orchestra performances since childhood and pursued a Ph.D. in English and American Literature. Like many Chinese parents, she struggled to find materials that could enhance her children’s learning interest and make their learning process enjoyable. To address the challenge of her two-year-old learning Chinese, Wu Tingying founded “Go Go Fun Learning,” introducing innovative language learning materials that combine music and stories. For Wu Tingying, the key motivation for learning is “joy,” which is the core value of “Fun Learning.”
Through the combination of music and stories, Wu Tingying aims to create a relaxed and enjoyable environment for children to learn Chinese, rather than viewing it as a subject to “pass exams.” The music books she designed contain 8 to 10 tracks spanning modern pop, jazz, Latin, and traditional Chinese music styles to showcase cultural diversity. The production team invited musicians from different cultural backgrounds to collaborate on creating the content.
The songs in the materials not only preserve classic melodies but also incorporate innovative themes that resonate with children’s modern life experiences. For example, “Goodbye, Screen” humorously teaches children about maintaining a proper distance from electronic devices, while other songs convey values of gratitude and care through stories about toy factory workers.
To cater to different community needs, “Go Go Fun Learning” offers both traditional and simplified versions of teaching materials. Wu Tingying aims to meet the learning requirements of diverse groups. Following the launch of the “Go Go Fun Learning” series on the Amazon platform, it was awarded the Family Choice Award in the United States. The judging panel praised its innovative educational model, acknowledging the material’s integration of multicultural aspects and its effectiveness in enhancing learning outcomes.
Currently, “Go Go Fun Learning” materials cover three languages: Chinese, English, and Spanish, adhering to the concept of “screen-free learning.” Designed for children aged 0 to 8, the books and bilingual interactive dolls encourage reducing reliance on electronic products through physical interactions, providing Chinese learning resources suitable for Chinese-American families and enhancing children’s interest in learning Chinese.
To facilitate non-native Chinese speakers, the company team also offers pronunciation tutorial videos on YouTube to assist parents in mastering correct pronunciation, enabling them to read with their children. Wu Tingying is planning to introduce subscription-based audio books, storybooks, and learning aids to help children systematically learn Chinese. Additionally, the company plans to develop Cantonese teaching materials, offering overseas Chinese children a more comprehensive language learning option.
Wu Tingying mentioned that apart from schools, tutoring centers, and community organizations, there are online learning platforms like Duolingo and HelloChinese that provide various resources for learning Chinese overseas, catering to different age groups from children to adults. She hopes her materials can offer parents a different choice, allowing children to not only learn language but also acquire music knowledge and understand different cultures through the series, promoting respect, inclusivity, and diverse exchange.