In a move that underscores the deepening ties between China and Saudi Arabia, the education authorities in Saudi Arabia have mandated all public and private secondary schools to include two Chinese language classes in their weekly curriculum. This initiative, according to experts, is significant as it not only provides students with the opportunity to learn Chinese and experience a diverse culture, but it also reflects the increasing communication and cooperation between the two countries in the field of education.
As per the Saudi Gazette, the fourth period of every Sunday and Monday has been allocated for teaching Chinese. Chen Ming, a professor who teaches Chinese at King Saud University, expressed that this is a positive development for Chinese language education in Saudi Arabia, especially as schools have welcomed more than 7 million students in the new semester.
This initiative follows the agreement made in 2019 between China and Saudi Arabia to include the Chinese language in the curriculum at all stages of education in Saudi Arabian schools and universities. Li Bowen, a Chinese language teacher at King Abdulaziz University and deputy director of the Chinese Proficiency Test Center in Riyadh, stated that the teaching plan has significant implications and is a major initiative to enhance students’ cultural diversity. Li also noted that with the popularization of Chinese language courses in primary and secondary schools, it could provide more employment opportunities for students majoring in Chinese and encourage more people to learn the language.
Despite this progress, Li highlighted that Chinese language education in Saudi Arabia is still unbalanced across various regions of the country. Most of the Chinese language classes are concentrated in Riyadh and Jeddah, where the population is mainly located.
As of the end of 2022, 11 universities in Saudi Arabia have established Chinese classes, and the number of Chinese teaching and training institutions is rapidly growing. The popularity of Chinese language learning is surging among the Saudi Arabian population, as many believe that speaking Chinese will open up more opportunities for them in the future. Educators like Chen are working diligently to promote Chinese language education in Saudi Arabia and to facilitate cooperation between the two countries.
In a joint statement released in December 2022, China and Saudi Arabia agreed to prioritize their relationship in their respective foreign relations and to build a model of solidarity and cooperation for mutual benefits among developing countries.
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