Author’s Page

My name is Hanifa K. Cook. I am a multilingual individual. The subject on languages is very close to my heart because I have more than 45 years of experience dealing with 4 languages, Mandarin, English, Bahasa Indonesia and Malay, and a local dialect called Hokkien. I read, write, speak and can listen to these languages so well, I use them everyday as a way of life.

Many adults keep telling themselves they cannot learn languages as quickly as they would like to. I am inclined to disagree. There are so many people in their 20′s and 30′s travelling around the world, living overseas as expats and business people, demonstrating the ability to learn the language of the local people. If you want to pursue business or education in a foreign country, you ought to learn the language spoken by the local community in order to adapt their lifestyle and find your way around during your stay. How else would you do it other than to learn a new language?

The only problem I face with adults who are learning new languages is that they tend to think with big ideas and work with small concepts. There is need to synchronise their thought patterns and what they are learning. Kids have no previous knowledge to distract their attention, so they tend to absorb faster. This is why I started this weblog to unfold childhood learning secrets.

My methods combine 40 years of experience in speaking 5 languages, Maria Montessori’s philosophies of education (I am a certified Montessori teacher), speech and communication techniques to help my students to discover their personal potentials and improve their learning skills.

Hanifa Acts In A Mandarin TV Programme

I was singing Mandarin songs at 3 years old, very much like the videos of 3 year old kids you now see on youtube. We never had a videocam then, so I cannot show you the proof. What I can tell you though is, I have not stopped using 5 languages on a daily basis.

Having a keen sense of hearing with an ability to discern intonation and modulation of language sounds is very important. It allows me to pronounce and articulate words from any language quite readily and comfortably. So my first advice to all who wants to learn to speak well, start from basics of phonics, learn the intonation before you start to pronounce any word.

I am married to an Australian. Our 9 year old daughter who also speak 4 languages and my husband has turned bilingual since our marriage.

Hope you enjoy your stay on this site. Selamat membaca. 祝您快乐的阅读博客。