If you are looking forward to maximizing the summer vacation for your young teen to start learning or practicing Chinese, software for learning Chinese can be used as another material.

If all that your young teen does is punch away at the computer, the Kuaile Hanyu software is one item you can negotiate. This way, they can learn their Chinese as well as having their computer time in peace and quiet (no bugging from mom or dad to open those Chinese books).

The Kuaile Hanyu software has videos that feature four foreign students visiting China - Mary, Ann, Tom, and Mike. They are guided by four local residents, Xiaohai, Lili, Xiaohong, and Mingming. Lessons feature their arrival in China to going to school and exploring about. Learning Chinese is more effective if it simulates real life situations.

The videos will show the basic phrases used by the kids. Your child will also hear the proper tones needed to pronounce correctly. Kuaile Hanyu software also has exercises and practice games. A dictionary is also included in the software so that your teen can learn more Chinese words when ready.

If your child doesn't mind hitting the books even during summer to learn Chinese, maybe you can try using the accompanying textbook and workbook, audio CD and flashcards for complete lessons. A Teacher's Guide is also available and can be used by parents for the summer break for more ideas how to tackle the lessons with the children.

Kuaile Hanyu lessons that can be found in the software complement the lessons in the books. Kuaile has 3 CD-ROMs with progressing levels. Each level has 24 lessons divided into 8 units. Topics will surely interest the young teens. Some of the topics are about the self and how one interacts with others, food, technology, school life, jobs, health, even fashion and entertainment.

Kuaile Hanyu was commissioned by the UK government for midde school students to have an easier time to Learn Chinese. It was written out of a collaboration by the British Council and National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL) of China. Kuaile Hanyu's structured approach qualifies it as the first Chinese Textbook to meet the UK Education Standards.

And for those who are wondering why the series is named Kuaile Hanyu, or "Happy Chinese". It is because the main objective of this Chinese curriculum series is for young teens to be happy as they go about learning Chinese. It is hoped that learning Chinese even during summer break will be easy and light for your young teen with the Kuaile Hanyu CD-ROM.

Kuaile Hanyu software, books, flashcards, audio and Teacher's Guides are available at www.childbook.com.