Open a Window for African Youth to Understand Chinese Culture

Since 2012, Duan Yiruo has taught over 500 students in three African countries. She has grown from a young and energetic volunteer Chinese language teacher to an experienced teacher. Through Chinese language education, she has spent her youth opening a window for African students to observe the colorful world, as well as to understand and comprehend the Chinese language and culture.

Young and Inexperienced, Yet Confident

In February 2012, Duan Yiruo came to Africa for the first time as a volunteer Chinese language teacher, and taught at the University de Yaoundé II, Cameroon. 

"Although receiving detailed pre-service training and making various preparations before leaving China, I was still seriously challenged in both life and work when arriving in Africa for the first time, especially in teaching. Most of my students speak French, and I had to learn some French daily expressions for classroom teaching as soon as possible," said Duan Yiruo.

University de Yaoundé II, Cameroon often organizes a variety of Chinese language teaching activities, so students show strong interest in Chinese. "They became more and more familiar with China through these activities, and I'm inspired by the activities, too."

"Each time I see them copying texts densely and neatly in their notebooks, I can't help but praise them. Thanks to such persistence, many of them become qualified local Chinese language teachers after graduation, and they also make more and more Africans fall in love with the Chinese language and China in their hometowns," said Duan Yiruo.

Outstanding Education and Achievements

In January 2016, Duan Yiruo returned to Africa to work in the beautiful Mozambique. This time, she served as an international Chinese language teacher at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, shouldering heavier tasks. As a class teacher and teacher of the first session of Chinese major, Duan Yiruo directly began her work upon taking office.

"At that time, more than 30 students in my class were selected round after round from over 200 applicants for the Chinese major. I led the young guys, for the first time, to eat with chopsticks, write Chinese characters with a Chinese brush, recite poetry in Chinese, and pick up a microphone to host a program in Chinese. I recorded these unforgettable and touching moments with my camera."

According to Duan Yiruo, most of the students started with pinyin, the primary knowledge, and great efforts have improved their Chinese proficiency steadily. She was visibly moved by each progress of them.

"Who impressed me the most was a student named Wang Hao from the first session. The lively boy likes dancing and composing songs. Sometimes he was invited to TV programs and won the first prize in the Excellent Essay Collection for the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Mozambique. After systematically studying Chinese for three months, he turned the texts into rap lyrics. This self-learning method surprised and refreshed all the teachers. After learning Chinese for a year and a half, he went to China to study as he wished. I wish him a promising career related to the Chinese language."

Advance with Mission on Shoulder

In July 2023, Duan Yiruo began teaching at the University of Rwanda. In her opinion, a Chinese language teacher shall introduce excellent traditional Chinese culture, as well as the contemporary Chinese style, especially the work, study, and life of contemporary young people, to Rwandan students. They share something in common, which will raise their interests. If interested, the students will actively delve into Chinese culture.

"In class, I will introduce the Four Great Inventions of ancient China, and add the four new ones of contemporary China, such as mobile payment, online shopping, etc. Students are very interested in contemporary China, so they will be concentrated on my class," said Duan Yiruo.

Nowadays, many Chinese companies invest and build factories in Rwanda, bringing employment opportunities to local people. Some of her students have been benefited from learning Chinese.

"Now more and more Chinese people come here to invest, so my students could serve as interpreters. I am very proud of them. At the end of last semester, a student gave me a local small schoolbag, which touched me. After returning to China, the gift will remind me of the unforgettable period when I worked here."

In addition, Duan Yiruo has formed deep friendships with her students. Ye Xing, a 25-year-old local junior student at the University of Rwanda, said, "Ms. Duan recommends some excellent internet bloggers to us, and from their videos, we can learn about Chinese culture. She also recommends TV dramas for us to learn about the friendship and entertainment of young Chinese people, which will greatly facilitate my study in China in the future. I am so grateful to her. We are the best friends."

"Africa is probably a magical continent that you will fall in love with it as soon as you arrive here. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The years of working locally has adjusted me to the 'slow' life and 'African time'. 'Slow climbers won't fall.' 'Procrastination won't hinder things, but make them better.' The two African proverbs well describe the time and life views of Africans," said Duan Yiruo.

"Unconsciously, I have already experienced the life of three African countries. Based on the Chinese language, I have made friends with students who pursue the 'Chinese Dream'. Now, as I browse the photos on my phone, my memories are awakened in a clear and profound manner. I still vividly remember their playful, agile, or handsome look on stage. They will remain the brightest young people in my heart. I sincerely wish them excellent grades for their Chinese learning and look forward to seeing them again."