Faith Nyasuguta
Uganda’s education system is undergoing a shift, with a growing emphasis on Chinese language learning. This initiative aims to equip students with valuable skills that can open doors to promising careers.
Hilda Ayebare, a key figure in the country’s foreign language curriculum development, highlighted the importance of multilingualism, particularly fluency in Chinese. “We strongly encourage all students to learn Chinese,” Ayebare stated at a recent “Chinese Bridge” language proficiency competition in Kampala.
“Knowing at least two foreign languages significantly expands job opportunities.” This focus on Chinese reflects its growing importance in the global economy.
The “Chinese Bridge” competition, established over two decades ago, fosters cultural exchange and provides a platform for students worldwide to showcase their Chinese language abilities.
This year’s Ugandan finals, held at Kyambogo College School in Kampala, saw 12 students compete in the high school and college categories. The competition format challenged their language proficiency and cultural understanding through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances.
Namulemo Leticia and Kamya Ivan emerged victorious, earning the right to represent Uganda at the global finals in China.
This growing interest in Chinese language learning coincides with China’s increasing economic influence in Africa.Universities like Makerere University’s Confucius Institute play a vital role in this trend. According to Fan Xuecheng, a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, the institute has trained over 20,000 Ugandan students from around 80 secondary schools. Additionally, over 145 Ugandan teachers have received training, allowing them to independently teach Chinese.
“The competition provides a valuable opportunity for Ugandan students to not only demonstrate their language skills but also to immerse themselves in Chinese culture,” said Gilbert Gumoshabe, co-director of the Confucius Institute.
This trend suggests a potential shift in educational preferences for African students. China’s growing economic ties with Africa are fueling a surge in interest in learning Mandarin. Statistics show a significant increase in African students traveling to China for higher education, with a 258% jump recorded between 2011 and 2017.
Notably, a large portion of these students come from lower-middle-income countries within Africa. China’s emergence as a popular study abroad destination could potentially challenge the dominance of traditional European options in the coming years.
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