Playful Readers Help!

[tiltil]

We are new to HK and would like our children to learn some Cantonese (as hubby is a Hong Konger but grew up overseas). We're interested in someone coming over and reading and playing with the children in Cantonese (and in Australia if we needed this sort of thing for English we would have asked one of the neighborhood older kids whose parents we or my parents know) to help out. But we obviously don't have the same support networks here.

Are there any agencies that specialise in placing readers with families? Specifically we need a Cantonese reader to play with our girls, 5 and 2 years old, one to two times a week in the late afternoon (not housework needed as we have domestic help). What we are looking for is someone who knows how to read Cantonese but not necessarily a formal tutor. Young fun and energetic are attributes we value. Are there places to find suitable playful readers on Hong Kong side?

Please help!

[GeoDenise]

A friend of mine who lived across one of the universities put up an ad asking for a local Canto speaker to play with her kids and teach them Canto at the same time. It worked out very well for them.

Also with the summer season coming up and if you have a community notice board where you live, you could advertise for someone in your neighbourhood.

[tiltil]

GeoDenise, took your advice and it worked a treat. Received loads of replies at least one looks like it might work out. Unfortunately it seems like when you list in English most of the people who reply are either educated abroad or have some sort of English education degree and request up to $400 per hour (my husband's Chinese tutor only charges $280 per hour !) when what I really want is someone to read some children's books and the bible to my children, tell some imaginative stories to them. I have asked hubby to post in Chinese and well let fellow Geobaby mums know how this goes.

[Kathy Liu]

Hello tiltil,

Understand it is a old thread and not sure if you are still interested in having someone to read book to your children in Cantonese and play with fun.

I was born and educated in Hong Kong with a 2.5 yrs old girl. I would like to come to your flat and having Cantonese reading time together with my girl. I hope it allows me to teach your children Cantonese while my girl can interact with English speaker naturally.

Best regards,
Kathy