NIGERIA/FILE: Lagos State is set to begin Mandarin classes as part of the public secondary schools' curriculum in a bid to give young Nigerians a competitive edge in business with China

Record ID: 235791

  • Title: NIGERIA/FILE: Lagos State is set to begin Mandarin classes as part of the public secondary schools' curriculum in a bid to give young Nigerians a competitive edge in business with China
  • Date: 8th October 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) VICTORIA AROWOLU, MANDARIN TEACHER SAYING: "It's challenging because you have to bring them (students) down for them to be able to listen, because it's a strange language to them so you have to bring them down to your level, so that they will be able to assimilate what they are supposed to and get more interested in learning the language."
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: International Relations,Education
  • Reuters ID: LVAC7WGQEBGEY0OMKUXR1OTNUMAA
  • Story Text: Students from Fountain Heights secondary school in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos pronounce Mandarin words out loud.
    Mandarin was introduced to this private school over a year ago and is part of the curriculum as an elective subject.
    Teacher, Victoria Arowolu learnt Mandarin while living in China and has been a Mandarin instructor for five different private schools in Nigeria since she came back in 2007.
    "It's challenging because you have to bring them (students) down, for them to be able to listen, because it's a strange language to them, so you have to bring them down to your level, so that they will be able to assimilate what they are supposed to and get more interested in learning the language," she said.
    "We gain more energy to know other people's language apart from our own language, we learn more about other people's language, what they do in their countries, how they behave in their countries, their festivals and so many other things about their country," said Lamido Rafiat, a student.
    "In case I travel to China now, since I've learnt Chinese in Nigeria, I might be able to like interact with other Chinese people," said Adedeji Anderson, a student.
    To foster stronger economic ties between China and Nigeria, the Lagos state government has given a directive to have Mandarin adopted in all public school's curriculum as well.
    Officials says teaching the language to the upcoming generation will enhance their commercial skills, and place the youngsters at an advantage as China's economic influence in the world continues to grow.
    The decision has sparked debate with some lawmakers arguing that the language is only necessary at university level. The order is yet to be signed into law.
    The state government is planning to partner with the local Confucius Institute, a non-profit organization that promotes Chinese culture and language.
    The institute, similar to many others across the world was established three years ago at the University of Lagos and provides Mandarin lessons.
    "You know around the world, people who want to learn Chinese are getting more and more, it's very difficult for us to send enough teachers and volunteers to help them and so it is the case in Nigeria. Every year, around 10 teachers or volunteers come to Nigeria to help the people, as you know we have a very great demand among the schools, primary, the junior and the senior, now even the kindergarten," said Professor Lirong Jiang, Chinese director of Confucius Institute, University of Lagos.
    China is a major investor in Nigeria, making up some 25 percent of the country's foreign direct investment, according to trade and investment ministry figures. It is also a growing buyer of Nigeria's high quality crude oil.
    Chinese imports make up such a large portion of trade flows that the central bank put 10 percent of its reserves into the Chinese yuan last year.
    Nigeria, recently signed a deal to borrow 600 million dollars from China's Export-Import Bank, most of which will be used to build a railway servicing the capital Abuja and surrounding areas.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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