Efforts underway to integrate Chinese language into Bahrain’s national education system

TDT | Manama                                                              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The fact that several students in Bahrain are fluent in Chinese and have received solid training in editorial work demonstrates the importance of every student learning about the language and culture of another nation.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Bahrain (UOB) organised the 22nd Chinese-Bridge proficiency competition for foreign students at the E-Learning Centre hall in Zallaq last Sunday to promote language proficiency among the students.

Seven students who have completed a one-year Chinese language course performed various Chinese cultural activities at the event by showcasing language proficiency.

The Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain HE Ni Ruchi, highlighted the importance of learning the Chinese language for both countries in the event. During his opening remarks, Mr Ruchi stated that the Chinese Culture Month and the Chinese Proficiency Competition organised by Confucius Institute provide a platform for knowing the Chinese culture and modern China for Bahraini students, as well as a stage for self-presentation. "I wish them and all students who learn Chinese achieve greater success and become bridges between our two peoples.”

UOB President Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al Ansari said that “learning a language is not only improving writing and speaking skills but also learning about the cultural history behind it.”

Attendees were surprised by the performance of Chinese cultural dance, food, tea ceremony and fashion show by Bahraini students.

Husain Abdulmonem Husain, a 22-year-old Bahraini student, told The Daily Tribune, “I am happy to participate in this beautiful event. It was a challenge for me as it was my first time speaking Chinese in front of an audience, and I was nervous. The Chinese language is now considered one of the most important languages in the world, and this is a beautiful gesture from the Kingdom of Bahrain about its interest in this language.”

“I am interested in learning Chinese culture and also calligraphy is my favourite part of learning,” Bahraini student, Dana Yaser, told The Daily Tribune. Sura Khalil, another UOB student said, “We thank you for organising this event, including the teachers of the Confucius Institute and the University of Bahrain. I learned new information about China from this event.”

According to Qianwen Zhou, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, every semester over 200 students join the classes and any student qualified for language proficiency level 5 is eligible to teach the Chinese language at the centre.

Qianwen Zhou continued, “I guess, in the future, our institute is ready to introduce the Chinese language into the national education system. Therefore we need more Chinese language teachers.”

The best performer in the Chinese language proficiency course will be eligible to attend the global Chinese-Bridge competition in the future.