Learning Chinese language top trend in Pakistan

Islamabad: Learning the Chinese language has become the most popular trend among the Pakistani youth interested in foreign languages.

Scores of Pakistani government-owned and private educational institutions are offering courses in the Chinese languages as cooperation between Iron Brothers Pakistan and China grows.

Mainly the Pakistan-China friendship has spurred interest in the learning of Chinese language. Thousands of students are already enrolled to learn the Chinese language.

According to the students and their teachers China is the world’s second large economy and it means learning Chinese can get you job opportunities everywhere.

The Chinese language is spoken widely and getting trendy globally. Many of the Pakistanis, an estimate of 15,000 students are presently in China for higher education.

Due to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), many want to learn Chinese as it led to better quality jobs and a good lifestyle.

The awareness of learning Chinese has caused a better understanding of one of the richest cultures in the world.

“Chinese may also help you in personal and professional growth or gain advantages in the business market out there,” said senior educationist Dr Rukaiza Khan.

She mentioned that the Chinese language was one of the top international languages and student’s interest in this language was natural.

Dr Uzma Anjum from Air University Islamabad contended that China was a great friend of Pakistan and with the CPEC thriving, there was a need to learn the Chinese language. “China is also supporting the promotion of the Chinese language through funding,” she told Gwadar Pro.

In Pakistan there are a number of Confucius institutes that are funded by China. As a strong ally, Pakistan welcomes these Confucius institutes and programs in its various universities. Chinese language and culture are the two most important elements of these Confucius institutes.

In Pakistan there are five major Confucius schools operating including the ones in National University of Modern Languages (NUML), University of Sargodha, University of Punjab, University of Agriculture and University of Karachi.

Around 30, 000 students in these institutes are learning the Chinese language. With the strong foundations of Sino-Pak relations, these Confucius institutes are anticipated as the foundation of the strong friendship between Pakistan and China that is being passed onto the next generations.

The Confucius institutions are facilitating the cultural exchanges for Pakistani students. With the passage of time, these institutions are progressing beyond the Chinese language teachings only.

For example, in 2018 in the NUML Confucius institute introduced an undergraduate program called as BS Area Study China. This program offers many courses that enable students to gain knowledge about the multifaceted aspects of Chinese language, arts and culture.

Moreover, the students and faculty members from all these Confucius institutes are sent over to China to experience the Chinese culture more closely. Due to the CPEC, the Pakistani universities particularly that are hosting the Confucius institutes have made their research and logistical support and collaboration with the Chinese institutions a top priority. Both Chinese and Pakistani education ministry officials believe that the opening of these Confucian institutes will further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.