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Print Edition> Nation
UPDATED: March 4, 2008 NO.10 MAR.6, 2008
Confucius Around the World
Despite various obstacles, Chinese language learning continues to flourish all over the globe
NI YANSHUO
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In 2007, the Academic Degree Commission of the State Council approved a new master's degree in international Chinese education, in 24 universities.

"The new specialty stresses more on fostering real teaching talent, instead of just academic study. These 24 universities will become important resources for selecting our Chinese teachers," he added.

Leaning towards Africa

According to Zhao, Africa - like other continents - also has skyrocketing demands for learning Chinese. However, owing to their weak teaching foundations, many African nations have to start from the very beginning. In recent years, the increasing Chinese influence internationally has pushed many African universities and middle and primary schools into introducing Chinese courses.

"The impetus for Chinese teaching in Africa is not only from the governments, but also from non-governmental organizations," Zhao said, adding that this was because of the increase in Sino-African exchanges in various fields of late. Moreover, mastering Chinese is a plus for any student seeking jobs.

The CI established at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, on December 19, 2005, is the first in Africa. Its Chinese partner is Tianjin Normal University. Currently, the CI has a separate teaching venue of 240 square meters, and three Chinese teachers. In 2006, the institute had two Chinese training classes with 32 students; in 2007, the number of the training classes increased to four, and the number of students went up to 119. On April 29, Chinese President Hu Jintao, paying a state visit to Kenya, specially met students from the institute and encouraged them in their pursuit of Chinese. Several social institutes in Kenya also established Chinese training classes.

A pamphlet released by CI Headquarters in December 2007 indicated that by November 8 that year, Africa had a total of 16 CIs, far less than other continents and only outnumbering Oceania, which has six.

"Indeed, we met a lot of problems in hardware and software construction while initiating CIs in Africa. But taking into consideration the reality of Africa, we also have special policy support in the region," said Zhao. "Compared with other continents, Hanban usually invests more in related construction work, while cooperating with Africa in building CIs. Hanban is also thinking of cooperating with the foreign-assistance department of the Ministry of Commerce, so as to gain more material support in Africa.

"Though the number of CIs in Africa is comparatively small, we are handling applications from many African countries. The number will thus continue to grow," said Zhao.

Moreover, in order to help overseas Chinese learners, Hanban developed HSK ("Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi", meaning Chinese level test), Business Chinese Test and the Chinese Test for Younger Learners. Of the three, HSK is the most welcomed, globally. Africa has three HSK examination sites in the University of Khartoum in Sudan, CI at the University of Yaounde II in Cameroon, and the University of Stellenbosch.

On December 6, 2007, the Confucius Institute at CRI (China Radio International) was launched. As the first broadcasting CI in China, the institute teaches Chinese in 38 foreign languages. It is expected that in the near future, Internet CI will also emerge. All of these will surely facilitate Chinese language dissemination, and make Chinese language and culture the solid bridge connecting China with the rest of the world.

 

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