Spotlight: Priscilla Luk-Ramsay

Priscilla Luk-Ramsay is the go-to playful Cantonese storyteller redefining what language learning sounds like.

Through stories, music, and sensory play, she helps families reconnect with Cantonese in a way that's joyful, pressure-free, and proudly imperfect.

With her warm energy and "good enough is great" philosophy, Priscilla shows that raising bilingual, culture-connected kids isn't about perfection - it's about showing up with heart, curiosity, and a willingness to grow together.

Hello Canto (formerly "Colour It Cantonese") is Priscilla's journey to raise her son with language, love, and a different legacy.

I asked Priscilla a few questions about her Cantonese programming, here is what she had to say:

Q. What inspired you to start Hello Canto, and how has motherhood shaped your relationship to the language?

A. Like many of us in the Chinese diaspora, I spent my childhood in Saturday Chinese school—sitting through rote lessons, cheating on dictation, and hoping I wouldn't be called on to read out loud.

When I became a mom, I knew I wanted to raise my son to have an entirely different relationship to the language of my childhood; I wanted him to enjoy Cantonese as part of the fun in life—as natural, joyful, and meaningful as anything else he does. Maybe even more so—because it's something we share together. (My husband, though very supportive, is also very white!)

Growing up, my mother used words to wound, not to connect, and so Cantonese carries the weight of that for me. As a mother, I've been learning to use the language in new ways—to affirm, encourage, and nurture. It's become part of my own reparenting journey, as much as my son's learning one.

That's how Hello Canto began: with a desire to build connection—through language, through play, and through community. It's a love letter I wrote to my son, and a space I hope can feel like an extended family for others too—one that learns, laughs, and grows together in Cantonese.

Q. How did the Hello Canto program get started?

A. I first pitched the idea to Burnaby Public Library back in 2023, but it didn't move forward at the time. Still, I kept the idea alive. Then in early 2024, I happened to cross paths with the children's librarian again and mentioned I was still interested. That small moment of persistence turned out to be perfect timing—the Tommy Douglas branch was just about to launch its first-ever non-English storytime, and this became the very first Cantonese program in their system.

At the first session, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I wasn't sure if anyone would show up—or if I'd just be doing storytime for my son alone at the library!

Since then, it's been amazing to see the momentum grow. I've been especially excited to watch similar Cantonese storytimes begin to pop up in Surrey and Coquitlam. It's clear there's a growing hunger for joyful, community-rooted Cantonese programming—and I'm so honoured to be part of that wave.

Q. You've talked about "reparenting", what does that mean to you?

A. For me, reparenting means offering my child the kind of empathy, support, and emotional safety I didn't grow up with—and in doing so, learning to offer it to myself, too.

At Hello Canto storytimes, I often ask for help with pronunciation or translations right in front of the kids and caregivers. I let my son see me try, make mistakes, and stay curious. I want him to know that learning out loud isn't something to be ashamed of—it's brave, and it's beautiful.

Reparenting, for me, isn't about getting everything right. It's about being present, honest, and open to growth—together.

Q. Who is Hello Canto for?

A. It's for parents who want to raise their children with cultural pride, emotional connection, and playful exposure to Cantonese—even if they're still learning themselves.

It's especially for families who may not feel fluent but who care deeply about keeping the language alive at home. It's for those blending cultures, histories, and hopes—and trying to do it with curiosity, care, and intentionality.

Q. What does Hello Canto mean to you?

A. It's a way to honour the language I started life with—and to pass it on not through pressure, but through joy. It's a space for trying things out loud, asking questions, and learning together.

It's about raising children with both cultural connection and emotional fluency.

And for me, it's about creating a different legacy—one rooted in intention, softness, and colour… all in Cantonese.

Hello Canto currently facilitates drop-by, free Cantonese Storytimes in both the Burnaby and New Westminster Public Library systems.

Little Words Studio loves to host language-based programs, so when I met Priscilla for the first time and saw how passionate she was about teaching, I knew it would be a good fit. And I'm so glad to have met her, because we have become such great friends!

Take a look at the newest Canto program hosted by Little Words, happening this summer...

Canto Tots is a 4-day, play-based and sensory-friendly Cantonese class held at Little Words Studio. Using interactive songs, puppets and pretend play as well as hands-on games and movement activities, this is perfect for little ones and their grownups to discover or practice their cantonese.

Ages: 18 months up to 5 years
Cost: $88 for all 4 classes (families must register for all 4 classes)

We have 2 active sessions running this summer from 3:30-4:30pm:

• Mon-Thu August 11-14
• Mon-Thu August 18-21