Chinese economic development pushes Chinese language education ahead in the world

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Chinese economic development pushes Chinese language education ahead in the world

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As the TOEFL fever gradually fades away in the Chinese mainland, the HSK (the Chinese Proficiency Test), or the "Chinese TOEFL", tends to be more and more popular amongst foreigners. The rapid and stable development of Chinese economy has made Chinese language education an irresistible trend in the world.

Established in 1980s, the HSK was initially targeted at foreign students then to study in China. Later, it was introduced abroad. At present, more than 100 exam centers have already been put up in 27 countries around the world, hence the HSK the largest exam for Chinese language ability. Up to the end of 2002, a total of 540, 000 people have taken the exam, and the number of 140, 000 participants in the exam that year hit a record high in history.

Experts say the increasing importance of the HSK is a major cause of the "Chinese TOEFL fever". The certificates granted by the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language does not only serve as a proof of holder's language ability needed to enter a Chinese university, but also used by more and more international organizations and transnational corporations as criteria of employee's Chinese language ability. Some even link employee's income up with their Chinese language level. This makes foreign staff seek eagerly for the "HSK". People taking higher level exam of the HSK often have clear objectives to go in for employment and study.

In France, Chinese has become the foreign language with the fastest development in high schools. From 1994 to 2002, students who chose to study Chinese in the Paris school arrondissement rose by 170 percent. From 2000 to 2002, students who opt for Chinese increased by 30.28 percent. At the beginning of 2003, some 7, 600 students made Chinese study their first choice.

Joel Bellassen, French inspector of Chinese language teaching thinks that the rapid development of Chinese language teaching is resulted from China's opening up. He said six primary schools and 141 high schools in France now offer Chinese courses.

Foreign learner's enthusiasm in studying Chinese has greatly promoted the development of Chinese teaching as a foreign language. It is reported recently that 17 volunteers from Fujian Normal University to assist Chinese language teaching in the Philippines will return home after accomplishing their task at the end of the month. The namelist of the second group of volunteers is fixed already. The 80 volunteers are receiving intensive training at present. The 17 volunteers to the Philippines is the first group of such volunteers since China dispatched its first volunteer in 2001, symbolizing the formal commencement of China's "Chinese Bridge" plan.

At the website of the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, messages regarding dispatching Chinese language teachers abroad and donation of Chinese books are too numerous to be mentioned one by one. Take February for example, one can find similar information on the website including: Chinese Language Teaching and Sinology Reception was held in the Chinese Embassy to Romania; the Chinese Ministry of Education donated books and audio-visual products to Kenya's Egerton University; Cheng Yonghua, the Temporary Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to Japan presented 1100 copies of Chinese books to Japanese Obirin University on behalf of the Ministry of Education and the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language; "China enters Classroom"---Chinese Knowledge Contest for Philippine high school students held by the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines, the Philippine Capital Education Bureau, and the Research Center of Chinese Language Education of the Philippines.

Language, as indicated in the remarks made by Zhang Xinsheng, Vice Minister of Education, in his visit to the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, is a comprehensive expression of a country's political, economic, diplomatic strength, and cultural and educational strength as well. The world's growing demand for the Chinese language, which has never happened before, tells the world's prediction for China's future. Countries in the world are actively seeking for help and assistance in Chinese language teaching. The Chinese as a foreign language to be taught is developing so fast that we cannot catch up with it even though we've made great efforts.

At the beginning of this year, French President Chirac said to visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao that French youngsters made a perfect choice for the future by studying Chinese. Facing the irresistible charms of both ancient and modern China, we might say more and more people in this Earth Village are making a wise choice in studying Chinese, a perfect decision for the future.

By People's Daily Online

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