Achievements and Challenges of Chinese Language Teaching in Nigeria: Study of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 2008-2023 — Oak Academic Publishing
Research ArticleOpen AccessGoogle Scholar indexed
Achievements and Challenges of Chinese Language Teaching in Nigeria: Study of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 2008-2023
Chinese International Education College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
,
Department of Chinese Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
,
School of Laws, Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen, China
,
The Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
1 Chinese International Education College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
2 Department of Chinese Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
3 School of Laws, Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen, China
4 The Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Africa is considered the region with the best performance by the Confucius Institutes, and the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria (hereafter referred to as CI at NAU or the Institute) is an outstanding exemplar among Africa’s Confucius Institutes. It has provided Chinese language training to more than 50,000 Nigerians and supplied about 30,000-strong Chinese-proficient manpower to different enterprises in Nigeria and beyond. In terms of efficiency in Chinese language teaching and multiple data indicators of the HSK exam, the Institute has set several records. Since 2018, in the “Chinese Bridge” competition, the Institute has produced 3 continental (African) champions, 2 “First Prize” winners, and 4 “Third Prize” winners in the world. Despite these achievements, the Institute faces the challenge of a severe shortage of teaching resources. This paper argues that, only by increasing support for Chinese language education, can the difficulties in Chinese language teaching in Nigeria be resolved.
Beijing International Studies University (2006, January10). Introduction of HSK Exam . https://www.bisu.edu.cn/art/2006/1/10/art_2245_39326.html
BLCUP (Beijing Language and Culture University Press) (2014). International Curric u lum for Chinese Language Education . http://www.cscle.ca/uploads/1/1/8/5/11856723/3%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E6%95%99%E5%AD%A6%E9%80%9A%E7%94%A8%E8%AF%BE%E7%A8%8B%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B2-%E8%B6%85%E7%BA%A7%E5%8E%8B%E7%BC%A9%E7%89%88pdf.pdf
CCTV (n.d.). The Avenue of Stars. https://tv.cctv.com/lm/xgdd/index.shtml
China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria (n.d.). Introduction . http://en.cgccnig.com/News.aspx?ClassID=6
China News (2009, October 19). The Second Confucius Institute in Nigeria was Unveiled at University of Lagos . https://www.chinanews.com.cn/hwjy/news/2009/10-19/1918651.shtml
China News (2019, December 12). An African Girl Pursuing Her Master’s Degree A p prenticed Herself to Learn the Art of Making Lanzhou Beef Noodles , and She Can Now Make a Bowl in Just 30 Seconds . https://www.chinanews.com.cn/sh/2019/12-12/9031469.shtml
China Youth Daily (2021, July 19). This International Student Narrates China’s Poverty Alleviation Story in Chinese . https://news.cyol.com/gb/articles/2021-07/19/content_gKy9QulqV.html
Chinese Bridge (2020, December 8). The Final Award List of 13th Chinese Bridge for Secondary School Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/4PvJVulbOsbYJIZR3xPoQQ
Chinese Bridge (2020, November 6). The Final Award List of 19th Chinese Bridge for the College Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/BAenVhyJ-ZvHK6HPVtdHOw
Chinese Bridge (2021, December 2). The Final Award List of 14th Chinese Bridge for Secondary School Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/N5OynVKyjARsdwO65_vEjA
Chinese Bridge (2021, October 25). The Final Award List of 20th Chinese Bridge for Co l lege Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UtrSDHzA2djQbxpkPekUXw
Chinese Bridge (2022, December 14). The Final Award List of 15th Chinese Bridge for Secondary School Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/NNFEk_hmoooOf8I9ZtM8QQ
Chinese Bridge (2023, November 6). The Final Award List of 16th Chinese Bridge for Secondary School Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qqH__J1S7xBvt3g-Jj9m2A
Chinese Bridge (2023, October 19). Jointly Building the Belt and Road Initiative: Chinese Learning Builds Bridges between Hearts . http://bridge.chinese.cn//s16//519/519_18997_1.html
Chinese Bridge (2023, September 7). The Final Award List of 20th Chinese Bridge for College Students . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/HTDsvoHWP3T5SLhv4rBD2w
Chinese Bridge (n.d.). 2022 Chinese Bridge Competition Launches . http://bridge.chinese.cn/gushi2022/473/473_16490_1.html
CI (Confucius Institute) (n.d.). Confucius Institute Brand . https://ci.cn/en/gywm
CI at NAU (2018, April 8). The CCECC Solves Water Supply Problem with Boreholes for CI at NAU . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/6o_Qpi5I5gglkwBE6bxY0g
CI at NAU (2018, August 13). Farewell Ceremony for Scholarship Awardees and Pioneer Undergraduate Graduates of the Department of Chinese Studies . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/FpwGv8k_eQkqNm5BgUEPYg
CI at NAU (2018, May 20). Where Is the Representative of the Region with the Best Pe r formance of Confucius Institu tes Worldwide ? https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/vk5pCh5Ldw1h6SnkGwJeaw
CI at NAU (2018, November 14). The Pass Rate for Advanced Spok en Test Is 100%; the Pass Rate for Intermediate Spoken Test 92.3% . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/PppXna0poeptesABn7F3ZA
CI at NAU (2018, November 4). Launch of the CTP at Federal College of Agriculture , Ishiagu . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ynLE7_psXx5syOIDXIUc1Q
CI at NAU (2018, October 27). The 2018 Chinese Language Teaching Seminar was Held at the Chinese Cultural Center , Abuja , Nigeria . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/5t8DvFu60-O3bcqjbxD47A
CI at NAU (2019, April 14). An Alumna of C I at NAU Joins Major Sino-Nigerian Coo p erative Projects . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2blqs-QYUoMSbNmmVkElpQ
CI at NAU (2019, February 19). Observing This Confucius Institute: Level 6 Exam Breaks Four Records in 10 Years . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ldMr0NHNjJ9ujNXfons-ig
CI at NAU (2019, January 24). 2 Members of the Governing Board of CI at NAU Were Honored with the ‘China-Nigeria Friendship Prize . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-3yyZTohB8SNWejUlNN7fw
CI at NAU (2019, July 3). The CTP at University of Port Harcourt Sets Sail . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/EUYW00RmXlKalFULSDdDQw
CI at NAU (2019, March 5). A Chinese Language Prodigy Wins Fourth Championship in the History of Chinese Language Learning . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/iH7UgWwvM2kbT-hNmuEHmg
CI at NAU (2019, September 11). A Student from Our Confucius Institute Wins the N i gerian Chinese Speech Contest Finals . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2c2XvqeCKlLs9Enl1B13tQ
CI at NAU (2020, December 18). A Student from Our CI Wins the CCECC Cup — Chine se Speaking Contest . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/U8MEHA0jIH9_IBsmlJMcCA
CI at NAU (2020, July 13). Miss Obiajulu Lucy: A Secondary School Student Becomes the Youngest Nigerian to Pass HSK 5 Exam . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/zbTsuc1kj1_UO6HnRGrUFQ
CI at NAU (2021, September 22). My Chinese Teaching Experience at CI at NAU . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/m5nXx43XebMcCu422_KeTw
CI at NAU (2022, December 19). Review of the Achievements of the CI at NAU in 2022 . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/XKaw878i6jMgy-CpcUr8Ow
CI at NAU (2022, December 6). Foreign Chinese Language Students Share Their Stories of Learning Chinese. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sp6aewBjVQCHQjhPWOQBqg
CI at NAU (2023, April 24). Our CI at NAU Wins 3 Major Awards in the Global Dubbing Show . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2YboIhuhV3ng-gzGM_0bVg
CI at NAU (2023, December 10). Our C I Receives the Fourth Award of “ Outstanding Chinese Test Center ” . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ZzMFJw1-K1ie0oGbwSQJcw
CI at NAU (2023, February 6). Yongxing Steel Company Invites all Chinese Teachers to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/oDbL-3eAgY5tiPe8cHHWGg
CI at NAU (2023, May 15). CI at NAU Featured by China Global Television Network . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dEiPAhOBn4XmkXX27KiHoA
CI at NAU (2023, November 26). Our CI Proudly Wins Seven Awards in Xiamen Un i versity’s Understanding China Competition . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3PkpfyH9l7gtXyACionmlQ
CI at NAU (n.d.). Document of CI at NAU .
CICEF (China International Chinese Education Foundation) (n.d.). Fearless Spirit , the 13th Program on 2023 Online Chinese Lunar New Year Gala for Confucius Institutes around the World . https://cigala2023.ci.cn/
CI at NAU (2022, December 6). Foreign Chinese Learners Share their Stories of Learning Chinese . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sp6aewBjVQCHQjhPWOQBqg
CTI (Chinese Testing (Hankao) International) (2023, December 8). Good News: Many Chinese Test Centers , Institutions and Individuals around the World Have Been Commended for International Chinese Examinations. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rKa5Lcqk8owJas17LKA6kA
Efe Best Chinese Training School (n.d.). https://ebchineseschool.com/about-our-founder/
Embassy of PRC in Nigeria (2008, March 10). The First Confucius Institute in Nigeria Was Officially Established . http://ng.china-embassy.gov.cn/zngx/znwh/200803/t20080310_7734912.htm
Guangming Daily (2023, December 12). Chinese as a Bridge , Co nnecting and Bonding the World- Voices from the 2023 World Chinese Conference . http://edu.people.com.cn/n1/2023/1212/c1006-40136761.html
International Society for Chinese Language Teaching (2018, May 17). The High Degree of Localization Is an Important Reason for the Rapid Development of the Confucius I n stitute in Africa . http://www.shihan.org.cn/articles/2018/ff8080816537c27b01653816c4eb001f.htm
MOE (Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China) (2008, April 25). http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/zsdwxxgk/200712/t20071231_61844.html
Obi, P. (2023, June 23). Twitter@PeterObi. https://x.com/peterobi/status/1672138089085501440?s=46
People’s Daily (2015, April 2). The Fourth Confucius Institute Is Established in Kenya . http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2015-04/02/content_1549684.htm
People’s Daily (2018, July 6). “ Chinese Teaching Hero ” Concludes — We Have a Dream of Teaching Chinese . http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/page/2018-07/06/09/rmrbhwb2018070609.pdf
Sohu News (2018, August 13). A Contestant from Nigeria Has Won the African Cha m pion in the Chinese Bridge , Sparking a Sensation across the Country . https://www.sohu.com/a/246904937_534796
Voices of Lagos (2023, July 23). The Inauguration Ceremony of the Confucius Institutes in Nigeria Alumni Association Was Successfully Held at the Chinese Consulate in L a gos . https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/bY8Jo_MoL6g-OBf_FSgplw
West Africa Business Weekly (2023, October 7). Both the Vice-Chancellor of NAU and CI at NAU Receive the “ China-Africa Friendship Contribution Award ” . https://www.52hrtt.com/ng/n/w/info/F1695781236182
West Africa Business Weekly (2023, September 23). Global Champion: Nigerian Co n testant Wins Crown . https://www.52hrtt.com/ng/n/w/info/G1695364159453
West Africa News Weekly (2023, December 10). A Confucius Institute in Nigeria R e ceives the Fourth Award of “ Outstanding Chinese Test Center ” in the First World Chinese Conferen ce . https://www.52hrtt.com/ng/n/w/info/F1701226287238
West African Business Weekly (2023, December 23). Nigerian Contestant Wins Cha m pion in the Intercultural Competence Contest for College Students . https://www.52hrtt.com/ng/n/w/info/G1702964669820
Xinhua (2005, December 21). A frica’s First Confucius Institute Was Officially Inaug u rated in Nairobi . https://www.gov.cn/govweb/jrzg/2005-12/21/content_132761.htm
Xinhua (2019, August 6). Chinese Day Established in South Africa . https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019-08/06/content_5419327.htm
Xinhua (2022, April 6). Nigerian Girl: Drawing Strength from Chinese Poetry . http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2022-04/06/c_1128536899.htm
XMU (2017, December 18). The African Confucius Institute Day and an Introduction and Experience Sharing for International Volunteers Was Held by Xiamen University . https://news.xmu.edu.cn/info/1003/12724.htm
XMU (2019, November 15). Student from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nnamdi Azik i we in Nigeria Won the Championship of th e African Group of the “ Ch i nese Bridge ” Competition . https://news.sina.cn/2019-11-15/detail-iihnzahi1096375.d.html
XMU (2019, November 29). Tell the Story of China with True Feelings and Write a New Chapter of the Confucius Institute with Struggle . https://news.sina.cn/2019-11-29/detail-iihnzhfz2578618.d.html
XMU (2022, February 13). Learning Chinese Has Changed My Life — Interview with Nwaegbu Ugoyahweh, a Nigerian Entrepreneur and Alumnus, Xiamen Un iversity . https://oec.xmu.edu.cn/info/1062/34351.htm
XMU (Xiamen University) (2017, May 25). The Vice President of Xiamen University A t tended the African Joint Conference of CIs and Visited NAU . https://news.xmu.edu.cn/info/1003/13360.htm