By FredericByumvuhore (Peoples Daily Online)16:45, August 01, 2019
(Photo provided byFrederic Byumvuhore)
As China continues with reform and opening up, Chinese has become one of the most widely used languages in the world. The language has been introduced in foreign schools, and many training centers have been established to teach the language in various parts of the world.
Rwanda has several schools and centers that have already embraced the Chinese language into their programmes.
It might be in everyone’s best interest to learn Chinese for future opportunities. As China expands business in foreign countries, the language is becoming more heavily spoken around the world.
As a result of China-Africa cooperation, more Africans are now being offered study tours, long-term visits, training in technology and scholarships in China. Such opportunities enable the beneficiaries or participants to explore more about Chinese culture and communicate at the market or hospital here in China.
Chinese people and business are also moving around the world. Thus, whoever speaks Chinese can work with Chinese people not only in Rwanda but also in other countries.
(Photo provided by Frederic Byumvuhore)
Exhibition events have been attracting more foreigners, including Rwanda, to showcase their locally made products in China.
Therefore, it is an excellent opportunity for me, as part of a group of 49 journalists from African countries and the Asia Pacific, to learn Chinese at the Beijing International Chinese College as part of a 10-month programme designed to enable participants to discover Chinese society and culture.
The advantages that come with mastering a foreign language are undeniable. Some people will give you reasons why you should cut your interest in learning the language saying that it is too hard and will take up a lot of your time.
Strictly, China has one of the oldest writing systems in the world. Chinese characters seem challenging to master. No language is easy to learn; it depends on the learner’s interest, efforts and thirst for it.
Frederic Byumvuhore, the author is a reporter with The New Times Rwanda, and is currently participating in China Africa Press Center 2019 program in Beijing.