Chinese Language Introduces the Broader World to Young Angolans

Luanda in March is humid and muggy. At the Agostinho Neto University in Angola, students are reading loudly in Chinese.

Sun Yun, an international Chinese language teacher teaches students Chinese. Photo by reporter Li Yahui, Xinhua News Agency

This is a basic course for beginners in Chinese language. "What is on the table? There is a cup on the table." Sun Yun reads and demonstrates repeatedly, helping Angolan students understand the Chinese dialogue.

"After 3-month studying, now they can have conversations with their desk mates based on the textbook," said Sun Yun. She is responsible for over 100 students from three classes, including students from Agostinho Neto University, as well as students from other universities and high schools. "They are eager to learn Chinese, and practice on their own after class. On the one hand, they are interested in Chinese language; On the other hand, they earnestly long for working in Chinese funded enterprises in Angola."

Angolan youth Raúl Carvalho holds the faith that Chinese proficiency leads to a good job, and prefers everyone to call him by his Chinese name Li An.

Raúl Carvalho (Chinese name Li An) is interviewed. Photo by reporter Li Yahui, Xinhua News Agency 

In 2017, Li An, a student majoring in civil engineering at Agostinho Neto University, immediately registered when he saw the online notice published by the Confucius Institute at the University to offer courses. "In Angola, it is difficult to find a good job. So, I think Chinese language may be of help."

With unremitting efforts, in 2018, Li An was awarded a scholarship to study Chinese at Harbin Normal University.

"After class, I walked out of the school gate and chatted with old Chinese chess players and restaurant owners. Although I spoke slowly, they were very patient and taught me how to express myself in authentic Chinese."

In one year, this Angolan youth took the high-speed rail, visited night markets, and even fell in love with online shopping in China. Recommended by his Chinese friends, Li An enjoyed Chinese cuisine and cultivated his taste in Chinese food. "It is cold in Harbin, but local people are friendly."

In 2022, Li An was selected as a project assistant and translator for Angola branch of CEEC China Gezhouba Group, a favorable post for him to leverage his expertise in civil engineering, and to improve his Chinese proficiency. Now, Li An is teaching his 18-year-old sister Chinese, hoping that she could find a good job like himself.

Li An represents thousands of Chinese language learners in Angola. Zhao Yufeng,  Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Agostinho Neto University, said that under the initiative of jointly building the "Belt and Road", cooperation between China and Angola is intensifying, and both sides attach great importance to language and cultural exchanges. "At present, we have launched language and cultural cooperation programs with multiple government departments and universities in Angola to build a better platform for communication and cooperation between the two countries," said Zhao Yufeng.

Pedro Magalhães, Rector of the Agostinho Neto University, said that "Angola's development depends on China". He looks forward to enhancing exchanges between higher education institutions in Angola and China and "solidify their friendship".

Pedro Magalhães, Rector of the Agostinho Neto University is interviewed. Photo by reporter Li Yahui, Xinhua News Agency

Sonia Kisanga, a junior class student, is singing in the corridor: "Sing with your passion, extend your hands, let me embrace your dreams and see your sincere faces. Let our smiles be filled with youthful pride, let us expect a better future."