Chinese Language Learning Gaining Popularity in Ethiopia

"How is the weather like in autumn in Beijing?" "Beijing's autumn is neither cold nor hot. It's the best season." Recently, students were practicing Chinese conversation with their teacher at a Chinese language teaching institution in the center of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

On June 15, at a Chinese language teaching school in the center of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Chinese language teacher Kaleab Zelalem gives Chinese classes to students. Photo by Liu Fangqiang, reporter of the Xinhua News Agency 

Kaleab Zelalem, 27 years old, is a Chinese language teacher here. From 2017 to 2021, he studied at Hubei Normal University in China and mastered fluent Chinese. After returning to the motherland, he found so many Chinese companies in Ethiopia, so frequent exchanges in various fields between the two countries, and so urgent local demand for Chinese language learning. Therefore, he founded "Ni Hao Habesha", a Chinese language training school. In the local language, "Habesha" means "Ethiopian".

In the past two and a half years, about 500 students have graduated from the school, including college students, foreign trade managers, tour guides and government officials. Although different identities, they share a common interest in learning Chinese.

"Engaged in import and export trade, I often work with Chinese people. When we communicate some words in Chinese, which makes them happy. That is why I feel like I need to learn more every day. Learning Chinese could bring me closer to Chinese colleagues and customers," said Bethlehem Abera, a student.

"Many students work in Chinese companies, and five study in China with scholarships." Kaleab Zelalem said that his most unforgettable student was an Austrian diplomat.

"I have never thought of an Ethiopian teacher teaching an Austrian Chinese language. It's amazing," said the diplomat to Kaleab. At present, the diplomat works in China.

The "Chinese Bridge" Competition has pushed local Chinese learning to a climax.

"Chinese language could build a bridge of friendship for people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. My future will be related to the Chinese language." Senay Alemnew, a junior at the Chinese Department of Addis Ababa University, made a passionate speech at the competition and won unanimous good comments.

When bilateral relations between China and Ethiopia deepen, more and more local people, especially young people, show interest in the Chinese language. To meet local needs, two Confucius Institutes in Ethiopia actively localize Chinese language teaching by developing local Chinese curriculum outlines and textbooks, and regularly training local teachers.

At the beginning of this year, the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University and the Education Bureau of Oromiyaa, Ethiopia jointly organized the 2024 training for local Chinese language teachers in Ethiopia. During the 4-day training, ten local Chinese language teachers from eight boarding schools in Oromiyaa were trained in Chinese language basics, teaching skills, lesson plan design, and practical teaching.

According to Seyoum, head of the special schools development division at the Oromia Education Bureau, Ethiopia, Chinese language education prevails in local secondary schools. In recent years, over 1,200 students have chosen to learn Chinese. Local teachers are the main force for Chinese language education, and their training sessions for local Chinese language teachers play an important role in improving teaching quality.

According to statistics from the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, as of the end of 2023, over 500 Chinese companies have invested in more than 2,000 programs in Ethiopia, bringing about 580,000 job opportunities. In Chinese enterprises, local employees who are proficient in Chinese usually enjoy higher incomes, so learning Chinese has become an important way for many people to get promoted and obtain higher salaries.

Each Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, the Sinoma International Ethiopia Branch offers Chinese language courses for local employees. General Manager Cheng Jin told the reporter that the courses gather 52 Ethiopian employees currently. "We work with five colleges including Jinan Vocational College to offer online and offline courses in basic Chinese language, mechanical engineering, and mechatronics to enhance employees' language proficiency and vocational skills."

On June 15, at a Chinese language teaching school in the center of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Chinese language teacher Kaleab Zelalem (first from right) talks with students in class. Photo by Liu Fangqiang, reporter of Xinhua News Agency