A Guide to Learning Maths in Chinese
Maybe you’re at a stage where you’ve got some basic Chinese vocabulary in the bag. Or, maybe your child is attending nursery or school. Or, maybe you’re homeschooling and looking for some resources. Whatever your situation, you might be wondering whether you should let them learn their other subjects with Chinese. Actually, it’s a fantastic idea! (And we have all the books and resources to support you, too.)
Why should we bother?
Letting them learn other subjects in the Chinese language can greatly extend their knowledge and application of Chinese. It’ll help new vocabulary stick better. Plus, it gives more opportunities to practise in different scenarios! Learning in a different language also allows them to revise old topics in new, refreshing ways. They won’t be limited to monolingual resources, so perhaps they’ll learn something new along the way!
There are many advantages to letting children explore a subject in more than one language. Doing so really allows them to exercise their minds in all areas: linguistics, cognition, perception and more depending on the subject.
Why start with Maths?
Maths is a nice place to start because it’s actually very easy to pick up in Chinese. If you know the numbers, then you’re pretty much ready to start learning Maths in Chinese. The phrases like ‘__ plus __ equals’ are also very easy to learn and you’ll have plenty of practice since learning Maths requires a lot of repetition.
The next two sections will take you through:
How do these sets match up with the UK National Curriculum?
We combed through the UK Early Years Foundation Stage framework and the UK programmes of study for KS1 (Reception to Year 2) so that you don’t have to. We’ve summarised the main bulk of it below.
A tick will mean that most of the points (the key mathematic concepts) are covered in that set.
‘A little’ means that only one or two aspects are covered.
‘Required’ means that this standard should be acquired before starting this set.
Blank spaces mean that none of the points are covered.
Note: The table is best viewed on a desktop with a larger screen. If it doesn’t all fit, adjust your zoom setting (hold ‘Ctrl’ and press ’-’ to zoom out). If none of the above works, download and view this image of the table.
| Curriculum Notes | Magic Maths |
Montessori Maths is Fun |
Mouse Math |
4, 5, Quick Maths |
Math Matters |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EYFS (Nursery to Reception) | Numbers | • 1 to 10 • Counting • Simple addition and subtraction |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Required |
| Patterns and connections | • Recognise patterns and regularity • Sort and classify |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Required | ||
| Spatial reasoning | • Use spatial words and phrases • Start to recognise shapes • Generic descriptions of size, volume and weight |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Required | ||
| KS1 (Year 1 to 2) | Number and place value | • 0–100 and place value • Count in multiples of 2, 5 and 10 • Make comparisons and put things in order • Use a number line |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Addition and subtraction | • Number bonds up to 20 • Add/subtract 1-digit and 2-digit numbers • Some mental arithmetic |
A little | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Multiplication and division | • Pictoral representations of multiplication and division • 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables |
✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Fractions | • Recognise ½ and ¼ in visual examples | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Measurement | • Compare, describe, measure and record • Understand different values of money • Use time and date • Use standard units of measure |
A little | A little | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Properties of shapes | • Recognise and name common 2D and 3D shapes • Identify shape properties • Compare and sort shapes |
A little | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Position and direction | • Describe position, direction and movement • Be able to describe quarter and half turns • Order and arrange patterns and sequences |
A little | ✓ | A little | ✓ | ||
| Statistics | • Pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams and simple tables • Selecting data to compare or total |
A little | |||||
| Lower KS2 (Year 3 to 4) | Number and place value | • Count in multiples of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 25, 50 and 100 • Recognise place value in 3-digit and 4-digit numbers • Compare and order numbers up to 1000 • Rounding whole numbers • Roman numerals up to 100 |
✓ | ||||
| Addition and subtraction | • Basic mental arithmetic • Formal written methods for addition and subtraction • Make estimations • Inverse operations |
✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Multiplication and division | • All multiplication tables up to 12 • Formal written methods for multiplication and division |
A little | |||||
| Fractions | • Add/subtract fractions with a common denominator • Begin to compare and order fractions and decimals • Equivalent fractions • Understanding and using 10ths and 100ths • Convert decimals to fractions • Rounding decimals |
A little | A little | ||||
| Measurement | • Perimeter of 2D shapes • Add/subtract measurements • Reading the time with 12-hour and 24-hour clocks • Converting between units • Finding the area by counting squares |
A little | ✓ | ||||
| Properties of shapes | • Draw/make 2D and 3D shapes • Recognise 3D shapes in different orientations • Identify right angles and relation to quarter turns • Horizontal/vertical, parallel/perpendicular lines |
A little | A little | ||||
| Position and direction | • Coordinates in the first quadrant • Translations • Plot points and draw sides to complete a polygon |
✓ | |||||
| Statistics | • Bar charts, pictograms time graphs, tables and other graphs • Solve questions using presented data |
A little | |||||
Winner: Math Matters
✅ Broad range of topics covered
✅ Great stories with real-life applications
✅ English translation at the back of each book
✅ Global Luka and scanning pen compatible
But keep these things in mind:
❌ More difficult to read
❌ Younger children may struggle with some of the books/topics
❌ Very little written practice (only a few questions at the back)
❔ The set is £79.99… But actually that works out to £2.22 per book!
If you’re looking for the Maths set that will carry you through their first few years at primary school, this is likely to work for you.
Alternative: Montessori Maths is Fun
The main disadvantages of the Math Matters Series is it’s reading difficulty and the age group. If those don’t work very well for you yet, Montessori Maths is the best next option.
✅ Good value: comes with high quality activities, teaching guide and video guides (via the QR code)
✅ Short and fun story books
✅ Montessori-based activities are really good.
But keep these things in mind:
❌ The video and booklet guides don’t have English translation
❌ No written practice
The title most similar to this is the Mouse Maths sets. These both focus on using story books and learning activities. We simply think the activities are so well thought-out, useful and can be reused many times.
However, coverage isn’t everything. Math Matters isn’t suitable for everyone. And perhaps you’re looking for more written practice. Take a quick look below to see if any of the prompts are a better match for your situation.
This is my situation…
-
At your stage, the Magic Maths Early Learning Classroom is perfect.
✅ Amazing activities (the UK curriculum would call these ‘manipulatives’)
✅ Workbooks with clear and large text for young children
✅ Sturdy, interactive books make learning and reading interesting
❌ Specialised board books mean the set is more expensive
-
Try Eleanor May’s Mouse Math series. The full series consists of 20 books.
✅ Spreads out costs (can be purchased in two parts)
✅ Covers all EYFS and most of KS1
✅ Well-paced and suitable difficulty for ages 3+
✅ Fun, short story books with activities included
❌ No written practice (like workbooks) included
❔ Activities are included! (But arguably limited compared to Magic Maths and Montessori Maths)
-
4, 5, Quick Maths are great! They are essentially Maths workbooks in Chinese.
✅ Very comprehensive and provides plenty of practice for basic arithmetic
✅ Great choice for regular revision or practice
❌ No stories or other reading
❌ Only covers addition, subtraction and a handful of other subjects
-
Definitely Montessori Maths is Fun.
✅ Best tie-in with the Early Years Montessori Method out of all our sets
✅ Great activities included which reinforce the pedagogy
✅ Good pacing for children ages 3–6
❌ Doesn’t cover KS2 curriculum
❌ No written practice (workbooks)
-
Try Math Matters. If you’re planning on using other resources to ensure they get the practice they need for maths, the stories and application summaries in each book will be helpful to you.
✅ Broad range of topics covered
✅ Great stories with real-life applications
✅ English translation at the back of each book
❌ More difficult to read and young children may find the maths topics difficult
❌ Very little written practice (only a few questions at the back)
Changelog:
Edited on 26/08/2023: Added a key for the comparison table and tips on viewing it on smaller screens. Also added an image version of the table for readers to download and view offsite.