In that spirit, LCF Fun Languages, together with Auckland University's Confucius Institute, are really excited to give ALL our club members a chance to experience the ancient and beautiful Chinese culture through the magic and spectacle of the world-renowned Shaolin Kung Fu artists from Songshan Shaolin Wushu (Kung Fu) Vocational Institute in China, accompanied by musicians from Henan University.

Read on for ticket information.

What is Shaolin Kung Fu?

Shaolin Kung Fu is probably one of the best known martial arts styles in existence today and has a history dating back to about 520 AD. Although the true history or origin of the art is not fully determined, it is steeped in both tradition and myth. The origin of Shaolin Kung Fu is generally credited to an Indian monk named Tat Moh, who is also sometimes known as Boddhidharma. Boddhidharma began life as a prince in Southern India, but became a devoted Buddhist, renouncing his royal heritage to take up the simple lifestyle of a monk. In those days, it was common for Indian monks to travel to China where their Buddhist teachings were eagerly received and in 520 A.D. Tat Moh made just such a journey, right through India and China, finally settling at the monastery called Shao Lin - which means 'little forest'.

The legend tells that he was disappointed, however, to find the monks there very weak and unable to withstand the austere ways of Buddhism - a life which often consisted of long fasts and frugal living. In order to find a solution to the problem, Tat Moh retired into a cave and meditated in isolation for nine years of hard study and emerged with a set of exercises he had devised for the monks. These were similar to some Indian exercises such as yoga and were intended to regulate and strengthen the monks' 'chi' flow. The exercises did this so successfully that Tat Moh's Chi Kung exercises are still practiced to this day and form the basis of the Shaolin Arts.

Shaolin Kung Fu is both an internal and external art and places a large importance on the balance of Ying and Yang that is so traditionally seen in Chinese philosophy. The internal focuses on breathing and the flow of Chi (energy) throughout your body. The external focuses on the punching and kicking aspects. In this way, it is both a "soft" and "hard" martial art and is known for improving strength, agility, and overall health. It's generally accepted that most asian martial arts have their origins linked to Shaolin Kung Fu, including popular arts like Karate, Judo, and Taekwondo.

The Shaolin Kung Fu and Folk Music Extravaganza is available for one night only on Saturday the 18th May from 7pm-8pm at Dorothy Winstone Centre at Auckland Girl's Grammar School in Freeman's Bay.  LCF Fun Languages have a limited number of tickets available for the evening at only $5 per person and we invite you to come along and join us in experiencing a taste of China's unique clulture! 

To purchase your tickets or for more information, please contact Maroussia Boyack by email maroussia@lcfclubs.co.nz or call her on 021 2517435

Please note:
Seating is NOT allocated so people are free to sit in any unreserved seat.
No food is allowed in the auditorium.
Google Map for Auckland Girl's Grammar
PARKING is available onsite through Gates 2 and 4. There is also plenty of parking on the road.

[Dragon Boat Racing By Yolks on Deviant Art]

This term, our Auckland LCF Fun Languages "Mandarin for Kids" Clubs will be learning all about the Dragon Boat Festival - Duānwǔ Jié - and the children will be making their very own Dragon Crown or Dragon Boat! 

The festival is observed on May 5th in the Chinese Lunar calendar which falls on 12th June on the Gregorian calendar.  The Dragon Boat Festival is a Chinese tradition dating back 2400 years and was originally held to commemorate the death of famous Chinese scholar and poet, Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a loyal minister of the King of Chu in the third century BCE who was exiled by the king after being falsely accused of conspiracy by jealous court officials. During his exile, Qu Yuan composed many poems to express his anger and sorrow towards his sovereign and people.

In 278 BCE, at the age of 61, Qu Yuan drowned himself by attaching a heavy stone to his chest and jumping into the Miluo River. Believing him to be an honourable man, the people of Chu launched their boats in a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to save him. Every year the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate this attempt at rescuing Qu Yuan.

A dragon boat is long and narrow with a decorated dragon head and tail. It has a large drum, and a team of paddlers will follow the drumbeat to power the boat. Larger dragon boats have other decorations such as flags or ceremonial umbrellas.

Make your own Dragon Boat:

To make it fun, children can draw their family members as paddlers!

1. Click here to get the pattern for the dragon boat, then print, cut out, draw some paddlers, and color both sides;
2. Fold the pattern along AB and then CD;
3. Glue the upper edges of the two sides together, then fold the flaps along the dotted line EF and HG towards the inside of the boat so that the boat can stand.

Why not give Dragon Boat paddling a go?  You can register on the Auckland Dragon Boat Association's website for only $5.  Remember to dress warmly and most importantly, have FUN! 

Zoe and her team of teachers bring Mandarin for Kids, French for Kids and Spanish for Kids Fun Language programs to 6 schools on Auckland's North Shore including Murrays Bay School, Takapuna Primary, Wairau Intermediate and Upper Harbour Primary. Zoe will also be starting after-school Mandarin for Kids clubs for kids 5-12 yrs at Brown's Bay School from Term 2 2013. 

For more information on her clubs contact Zoe Chamel or complete a quick and easy online FREE trial lesson request here.

Food is always a big part of the end of term celebrations in our Fun Language clubs and this last Term was no exception.

This little group of talented “boulangers” from one of our Central Auckland French for Kids clubs shows off (and tucks into) the pretty impressive results of their baking effort for "Chaussons aux Pommes” or French “Apple Slippers”.

We found this wonderfully written blog on the French art of “patisserie” with a simple, easy to follow recipe for these delicious little pastries for those willing to give them a try at home.

We also found this set of illustrated instructions for making the ‘chaussons’ – en français – if you’re keen to enlist the help of your little linguists over the school holidays.

They can brush up on their French and their cooking skills at the same time!  Miam, miam …bon appétit!

Are you interested in a FREE Trial lesson?  

Simply fill in this quick enquiry form online.

(pic:  The art of calligraphy in one of our Mandarin for Kids clubs) 

NZ Prime Minister, John Key, is urging students to consider learning Mandarin.  In a recent New Zealand Herald article, John Key has said that the argument that there are not enough Mandarin teachers to successfully implement a Mandarin curriculum for New Zealand students is not a strong one based on the 250 000 strong Chinese community that call New Zealand home.

According to Mr Key, "many of them speak Chinese and many of them would teach on a part-time basis". And he's keen to rope some of them in to teach the language in schools.

He went on to say that "any student going through school today, faced with the choice of learning Mandarin or another language, would be well served to think about learning Mandarin."

Read the full article here.

LCF Fun Languages have over 25 years of proven success in teaching kids between 2 and 12 years, a second, and even a third language.  Our FUN and active approach will get your child using the language quickly and naturally!

With "Mandarin for Kids" clubs across New Zealand and Australia, we can help you give your child a head start.  Contact us to register your interest for a Free Trial lesson.