Special Interview: African Confucius Institutes Should Take the Initiative to Adapt to Local Needs

Special Interview: African Confucius Institutes Should Take the Initiative to Adapt to Local Needs

Yaounde, August 13th—Ms. Xu Lin, Director-General of Hanban and General Director of the Confucius Institutes Headquarters, said during a special interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency, that the development of Confucius Institutes in Africa in recent years indicates that African people’s enthusiasm for learning Chinese is closely related to the evolving needs of society and the local economy. The operation and teaching activities of the Confucius Institutes should combine language learning with cultural exchange and promotion of development: this should serve African countries and help to improve the quality of life of local people.

Ms. Xu Lin pointed out that this was the consensus reached by both Chinese and foreign representatives present at the 2010 African Confucius Institute Joint Conference which concluded on the same day. Hanban will incorporate the concept into the 10-year development plan for Confucius Institutes in Africa.

On August 12th and 13th, more than 120 representatives from 25 Confucius Institutes in 18 African countries attended the 3rd Joint Regional Conference held in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, its focus was upon issues such as the training of local teachers, incorporating Chinese teaching into the local academic credit system, and how Chinese teaching may serve in the development of Sino-African economic and trade ties, etc. The attendees noted that there had been 25 Confucius Institutes established in 18 countries in just 3 years; this calls for intensive planning for their future development.

“Both Chinese and foreign partners of the institutes observed that students of the institutes showing interest, not only in Chinese language and culture, but also in China's growth. They desire to learn from China through learning Chinese language so as to improve their living conditions. In view of this reality, the institutes should pay close attention to practical applications when carrying out teaching activities which will serve the interests of African people and contribute to the long-term development of the institutes,” said Ms. Xu.

Ms. Xu stressed that Hanban would reinforce its training of local Chinese teachers and send more Chinese teachers and volunteers with practical experience and professional skills to Africa. She also suggested that institutes recruit local people with experience living and studying in China as well as overseas Chinese working in Africa, so as to enrich Chinese teaching.

Ms. Xu also expressed a belief that as more Chinese enterprises are entering Africa, the Confucius Institute should establish close connections with these enterprises and local enterprises which do business with China, in order to provide them with outstanding personnel and offer them help.

Hanban also promised attendees that it would provide more support and resources in aid of the Confucius Institutes and play an improved role in cultural exchange between China and Africa.