The First Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills in Latin America Cultivates "Chinese + TVET" Talents

In 2022, Potasio y Litio de Argentina SA (PLASA), a subsidiary of Tibet Summit Resources Co., Ltd., applied for the "PLASA Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" program together with Beijing Polytechnic College, which was approved by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, and was selected as one of the first batch of CLEC "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" in 2022. And it is the only "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" in South America to date.

As the first "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" established by the CLEC in Latin America, "PLASA Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" has been vigorously supported by the government of Salta Province, Argentina, and its Department of Education and Labor.

Community specialist Moira (second from right, back row) presents certificates of completion issued by the Education Department of Salta Province to some of the participants of the second session of the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills". 

Photo credit: Wu Sixuan/People.com.cn

Fascination for Learning Chinese

"Hello! I'm 45 years old and I'm a craftsperson," said Alicia Avelina Gitian in Chinese. Despite non-standard pronunciation and not-fluent expression, she impressed others with her dedication to Chinese language learning through smiling face, determined eye expression and serious attitude.

"Although Chinese language is different for a beginner, the greatest challenge is to overcome the inner fear and stay motivated." Guadalupe Nasir Carrizo, a 25-year-old student working as a lawyer, also exhibited her unique persistence and perseverance in Chinese language learning.

"San Antonio is my hometown, a very small town, but I like to learn about different countries and places. Language can open up doors to the world for me, so I am interested in and fond of learning Chinese, trying to get to know the real China." As a housewife, Bioleta Zumela Morales has encouraged her son to learn Chinese with her and taught him to be open-minded to new languages and cultures. "China is too far away for people in a small town in the highlands. But when you start to learn Chinese language and understand Chinese culture, then China is no longer out of reach.", she said. 

Speaking of the future, Alicia wanted to sell her handicrafts to China. Guadalupe looked forward to participating in cooperation projects between Chinese enterprises and Argentina with better Chinese language proficiency and more professional training from Chinese companies. Bioleta aspired to become a tour guide to tell Chinese tourists about her hometown and its culture in Chinese…

At the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills", the students left dense handwriting on their textbooks and notebooks as reflections and summaries. Their love and genuine affection for Chinese language drive them to move forward.

 

They expressed that through the study in the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills", they have gained a better understanding of the significance of cultural exchanges between China and Argentina on their personal development and national relations, and looked forward to the third session of the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills", as well as more interactive cultural activities. As Bioleta said after being awarded the certificate of completion, "The exchanges and mutual learning between cultures make people happy."

Reputation for Dedicated Efforts

To meet the needs of local Chinese language learning, the "PLASA Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" offers courses both online and offline, directly exposing local learners to Chinese language. In addition, it actively organizes domestic and foreign teachers to carefully develop curriculum, forming three gradual levels of courses in language, culture, and vocational skills.

Moira, a community specialist in Salta province, highlighted, "Both the teachers who are responsible for local program coordination in Argentina and those who conduct remote teaching in China devote themselves to the elaborate research and development of the curriculum, which is graded by language, culture, and vocational skills." In her view, Chinese language learning requires sustained efforts from local Argentinean trainees, and the spirit and significance of perseverance go far beyond the language itself. "Participants in the training are able to learn about Chinese culture and the world and broaden their horizons and mindset with the help of their Chinese language teachers. It is the greatest significance," she said.

Moira also shared the touching moments of the first two sessions of the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" training program. "At the end of the first session, the students' own experiences moved me so much," she recalled. "Many of the students were not well off and not highly educated. Some of them had only received secondary school education, but they all completed the training course. Granted their certificates of completion, some of them cried; some of them even had their formal outfits on as this was the first certificate of completion they had ever received in their lives. Such an awarding ceremony thrilled them."

She also appreciated the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" for implementing the community policy and maintaining positive relations with the local community, which fully demonstrated the sense of social responsibility of Chinese enterprises. She commented, "It is very costly to learn Chinese in Argentina, but PLASA has selected a favorable location for free teaching, directly imposing local students on Chinese language. They were provided with excellent Chinese language teachers and vocational training, which is celebrated by the local community."

 

"Through the joint efforts of all parties, over 60 trainees have completed the 'Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills' training program, with a completion rate above 66%, a remarkable achievement. We have accumulated much experience for future challenges, and are extremely pleased to provide opportunities for the development of individuals and open a window of Chinese culture for the local community," added Moira.

Working Together for Development

The "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" is an important exploration and educational practice of "Chinese + TVET" in South America. According to Ms. Paula Bibini, General Manager of Tibet Summit Resources Co., Ltd. in Argentina, "For the city of Salta, the 'Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills' is of great significance. This is the first time in its history to encourage a company to train students and employees with vocational skills in Chinese language. We are proud to be involved in the training of local trainees at the 'Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills', and this will play a significant role in promoting cultural exchanges and vocational education training between the two countries."

In November 2022, the first session of the Chinese language and culture training program was organized by PLASA in cooperation with Beijing Polytechnic College to provide basic language and culture training, and its second session was held in 2023, with a total of 15 lessons, mainly on Chinese language and supplemented with rich interest-based courses on Chinese food culture, special tourist destinations in China, Chinese water culture, etc. The training was offered in three locations, namely downtown Salta, San Antonio and Santa Rosa, by means of centralized and decentralized online teaching.

Ms. Paula Bibini stressed in the interview, "The two teaching sites in San Antonio and Santa Rosa are in the remote mountainous areas, but we have managed to overcome the obstacles and realize distance teaching via Internet technology. Local communities have also fully demonstrated their enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture through their high regard for this endeavor." In her opinion, it is of particular value for the future development of the participants to learn about China, the way Chinese people work, and the long-held enterprising quality of the Chinese people in particular.

During her tenure as Minister of Production, Labor and Sustainable Development of the Province of Salta, Ms. Paula Bibini visited China over five times. "My experiences in China deepen my understanding of Chinese culture and the development of human resources and drive cooperation between China and Argentina. From an economic and trade point of view, the 'Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills' represents a historic opportunity. Via language learning, the participants are brought closer to each other by sharing insights and experiences with each other."

Mr. Gustavo Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Ambassador of Argentina to China, has been highly attentive to the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" program. He highly valued the significance of the program in promoting local social development, cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Mr. Roberto Dib Ashur, Minister of Economy and Public Services of the Salta Province, Argentina, commended in his speech at the opening ceremony of the second session of the program that the "Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills" program is a small step for the education of Salta Province but would be a stride in the advancement and development of it.

Ms. Zhou Yan, Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Beijing Polytechnic College, stated at the opening ceremony of the second session that she would dispatch the best teachers to Argentina for relevant vocational skills training, thereby assisting the local population in learning Chinese and master vocational skills, to serve the communities and local enterprises, and to deepen the Sino-Argentine friendship.

Ms. Paula Bibini highly endorsed the positive role of university cooperation in cultural exchanges. "From an academic and human resources training point of view, university cooperation is full of challenges, but necessary. We are considering strengthening our ties with universities in the upcoming sessions," she mentioned.

As scheduled, for the third and fourth sessions of the program, the company and the college will establish a "Chinese + TVET" classroom in Argentina, which will combine the company's local practice and offer basic vocational skills courses to provide vocational skills training for the local residents and the communities of Salta, where the company's projects are implemented.

Regarding the future, Mr. Mao Yuankai, Assistant Chairman of Tibet Summit Resources Co., Ltd. and Chairman of PLASA, stated, "Tibet Summit Resources Co., Ltd. has always regarded the 'Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills' program as a due responsibility of the 'going global' enterprises in China, actively cultivating local skilled personnel in Argentina, as well as promoting cultural exchanges among people, and local employment and social and economic development. We believe that with the joint efforts of the governments, enterprises and universities and colleges of both countries, the program will make new positive contributions to the enhancement of people-to-people bonds and common development between China and Argentina."