“I don’t remember how to speak Chinese,” my 4-year-old daughter whispered to me while video chatting with her Nainai before we boarded the plane. I heard myself translating. I encouraged my daughter to try, but she stumbled and got frustrated. My mother-in-law laughed awkwardly but shrugged it off. “You’ll remember as soon as you come back,” she told my daughter, who understood with a nod.
I always spend summers back in Canada, but when I finally landed in Toronto, returning to a mainly English-speaking environment feels strange at first. Speaking to the taxi driver in English even though he’s clearly not a first-language English speaker, I feel complicit in English’s status as the “bully language.” English has coerced so many language groups into submission. That is, except Mandarin.
I admire this about Chinese. A language made strong by sheer numbers thus retains power over the bully. English is studied in China, of course, but still only a small percentage can speak it well enough past simple pleasantries like “hello” and “thank you.” If you visit China, you’ll need some Chinese.
In the first three weeks of our vacation this summer, I happily noted that the kids spoke to each other exclusively in Mandarin. And while Mandarin was their play language, they spoke to the Canadian family members exclusively in English without a second thought.
But, I was alarmed when in less than a month, they were using English to communicate. Then two months later, my daughter claimed to have forgotten her Chinese. Is that all it takes? Just two months away where the second language is not supported within my side of the family (except through me), and English gained dominance. Even Mandarin — the resilient linguistic opponent that may become the world’s ascendant language in the future — was no match for an English-speaking external environment.
When we officially move back to Canada, will my kids lose their Chinese? Will I be forced to put them into Chinese schools, compelled to engage weekly in Chinese community events or actively have to reach out and make Chinese friends with kids who also speak Mandarin who, for now, may be easily convinced to use Chinese as a play language… perhaps, at least, for a reward?
This strikes me as grasping at straws rather than winning a battle. And, I don’t know the answer. Keeping them in China maintains their both languages because I am always with them and introducing them to other English speakers. Moving them back to Canada may prove a linguistic mistake. Yet, in light of free schooling, free health care, and a perfect air environment, is there really any other option?
I can only hope that my kids will come to value their bilingualism if for nothing else than the ability it offers them to speak with all members of their extended family, whether in person or by video chat across the world.

About the Writer
Ember Swift is a Canadian musician and writer who has been living in Beijing since late 2008. She and her husband Guo Jian (国囝), who is also a musician, have a daughter called Echo (国如一) and a son called
Topaz or “Paz” (国世龙).

This article originally appeared on page 41 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

I went to Meeple Factory once for my friend’s birthday party, and it was one of the coolest and most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. There were eight of us then, so we decided to have a party inside the separate room, which included a foosball table, a table for Air Hockey, video games, KTV, and a table for Texas Hold’em Poker.
As a 14 year-old girl, I am super embarrassed to say that I had never played foosball in my life. But the game was fun! I played foosball with my friends for around two hours without any restrictions and my wrists were still hurting two days later. While I played foosball and later air hockey, the others sang KTV, played video games, or crowded around board games. After this unforgettable experience, I can say with every bit of confidence that teenagers and kids all should not miss the chance to have fun in Meeple factory.
Located on No.2 Lizexi Road, the Meeple Factory has been open for one year and mainly features a large collection of board games for people of all ages to play. These activities will certainly rouse your curiosity and swiftly lift up your spirits.

Right in the center of the factory are two large walls that contain over 200 different kinds of board games. Others recommended Splendor, Terra Mystica, and Blood Rage. I consider Ten Days in Europe as the best.
Meeple Factory is suitable for ages 5 years old and up, but mostly from 14-28 years old. I did not see people aged over 40 during my visit, but certainly some small kids. The manager, Ms. Wang, has very capable English as she graduated from a university in Hong Kong. I didn’t meet her when we last played in the factory or when I went for an interview, but according to the staff, she is very kind and helpful. If English-speaking-only teens plan to play, communication will not be a problem because some of the staff also know how to explain different activities and board games in English.
Some come to Meeple Factory right after school or work to relax. Decorations can be provided for birthday parties and company end of year parties. Please note the separate room requires a minimum of eight guests.
Frequent visitors have the privilege of a 85 to 90 percent discount. Some discounts are also available during special holidays or celebrations, for example, on Chinese Valentine’s Day, couples will get 50 percent off and festive games.

Mon-Fri: RMB40/person, RMB788/person in the separate room.
Sat-Sun: RMB50/person, RMB1,188/person in the separate room.

Mon-Thu. 2pm-midnight, Fri-Sun Noon-2am. No.112 West Lizexi Road, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing. (135 8167 3717, wanghaoying0412@hotmail.com) 北京市朝阳区望京利泽西二路112号B1元典美术馆

This article originally appeared on page 14-15 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF PENELOPE ZHANG AND MEEPLE FACTORY