Story of a Local Chinese Teacher in Mauritius and China

Sharon Too Yok, a graduate from the School of International Chinese Studies of East China Normal University in the class of 2019, is currently teaching as a local Chinese language teacher at the University of Mauritius. Despite being a third-generation Hakka Chinese, she could not even utter a single Chinese word nine years ago. Nowadays, from Changzhou to Shanghai, and then to Mauritius, Sharon has realized her dream step by step.

Connection with China

Sharon's journey with Chinese language can be traced back to 2011. By chance, she had an opportunity to study Chemical Engineering & Technology at Changzhou University in Jiangsu, China, which was taught in Chinese. With the help of her classmates and guidance from her teachers, she graduated smoothly four years later. In just five years, she has not only mastered Chinese language but also participated in competitions with international students, achieving impressive results.

Sharon Too Yok at Changzhou University

In 2016, after completing her undergraduate degree, Sharon felt lost about her future. She thought, "My grandfather was a Chinese who traveled across the sea to Mauritius to become a Chinese language teacher, and my parents also dedicated their youth to teaching. Why can't I become a Chinese language teacher in Mauritius?" Her passion for Chinese culture had already taken root due to her experiences in China. She believed that with her linguistic talent, patient and cheerful personality, excellent cross-cultural communication skills, and pursuit of excellence in learning, she could surely excel in teaching Chinese.

Sharon Too Yok delivers a speech at the graduation ceremony as a representative of international students

Across the Sea – Reunion in Shanghai

To improve her Chinese language proficiency and teaching performance, in 2017, Sharon applied for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and came to East China Normal University to pursue her master's degree in international Chinese language education with other international students. This provided her with opportunities to enhance her Chinese language skills, teaching techniques, and modern Chinese language application, among other capabilities.

Sharon expresses special gratitude to her teachers at the School of International Chinese Studies, saying, "Their profound expertise, pursuit of excellence, and rigorous academic style, have influenced my life: When drinking water, one should not forget its source. When fulfilling my studies, I should be grateful to my teachers."

Sharon Too Yok participates in the documentary "Tales of Two Cities" produced by Changzhou TV Station

Long Journey with Chinese Language

After completing her master's degree in 2019, Sharon returned to Mauritius to realize her dream of becoming a local Chinese language teacher. Her students are all beginners, including teachers  and students from the university, and enthusiasts of Chinese language and culture from all walks of life. Regardless of their backgrounds, they all enjoy her Chinese classes, especially the classroom games.

Students in class

By appropriately applying some games in Chinese classes, students' interest in learning Chinese can be significantly enhanced, and classroom atmosphere can be enlivened, even strengthening their language skills. Seeing her students' Chinese proficiency improving bit by bit, and their love for Chinese culture growing, Sharon feels deeply moved: "Now I am sure that being a Chinese language teacher is my original aspiration!"

Students practice handling chopsticks

Future Path

In the future, Sharon hopes to speak Mandarin fluently like a host, interpret cultural differences between China and Mauritius accurately like an interpreter, deliver speeches eloquently like a public speaker, identify students' grammatical errors and language biases like a doctor treating patients, and tell China's stories like a narrator. She believes that only then can she be qualified as a competent local Chinese language teacher. She aspires that more young people in Mauritius will understand today's China and the hardworking Chinese people, and that more people will fall in love with the profound Chinese culture. This is Sharon's story: "Although my journey in Chinese language teaching has just begun, I believe the future will be even more splendid."

(Author: Sharon Too Yok)