Glory and Dream of International Chinese Language Teachers in Zanzibar

Zanzibar, located in Tanzania, Africa, is famous for its beautiful islands and charming beaches. In addition to the unique natural landscape and cultural custom of the archipelago, it is actually a fertile ground for Chinese language learners.

In March 2023, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Zanzibar, Tanzania decided to incorporate the Chinese language into its national education system. This hard-won achievement cannot be achieved without the efforts of educators, including Li Yaya, a teacher who was sent from Guizhou to teach Chinese language at the State University of Zanzibar in 2012.

Li Yaya's work for over a decade in Chinese language education has been appreciated and supported by local government departments. They commissioned the Sino-Africa Youth Foundation, led by Li Yaya, to integrate the Chinese language curriculum into the local national education system.

Nowadays, Li Yaya has taught over 1,000 local students. Many of them got employed through learning Chinese, while others studied abroad in China for further education. As a volunteer Chinese language teacher rooted overseas, Li Yaya admitted that her dream is to serve as a cultural envoy along the "Belt and Road", and to make African friends through the Chinese language.