Confucius Institute celebrates milestone reached through Chinese language teaching

Every year on or around April 20, world observes the UN Chinese Language Day. The day was selected by the United Nations (UN) to pay tribute to Cangjie, a mythical figure who is presumed to have invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago.

Chinese Language is one of the ancient spoken languages that was initially believed to be used around 4000 years ago and now has grown its speakers across the world with an estimates of over 1 billion people.

The annual commemoration comes with diverse attachments ranging from Chinese writing workshops, acrobatics, music and traditional dances hosted at UN Headquarters and all over the world.

Reputed for having established admirable diplomatic relations and favorable economic tie with China, Tanzania celebrates a day through Confucius Institute which provides Chinese language and culture across the colleges and universities including University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and University of Dodoma (UDOM).

Prior to commemoration of UN Chinese Language day this year, Confucius Institute University of Dar es Salaam (CIUDSM) and CIUDOM announces to the general public of Chinese courses for the interested candidates.

Chinese Language Programs of Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam

The Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam (CI UDSM) was established in October 2013 under the agreement between CI Headquarter (Hanban), UDSM and Zhejiang Normal University.

With the vision of being one of the leading Chinese language training and testing centers, as well as one of the best Chinese cultural and academic exchanges centers in Africa, CI UDSM is one of the best places for Tanzanian people to learn Chinese language and Chinese culture.

CI UDSM is committed to offering various kinds of Chinese language programmes for a wide range of learners from different ages and education backgrounds. Here are some Chinese language programmes offered at the headquarter of CI UDSM.

Bachelor of Arts with Education (Chinese and English)

This is a new programme started from 2018/2019 academic year. It’s a full time three years degree programme at UDSM. Students are co-cultivated by Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, and CI.

Diploma in Chinese

This is a new programme started from 2018/2019 academic year. It’s a full time two years diploma programme at UDSM.

Elective courses for undergraduate students at UDSM

For undergraduate students at UDSM, the elective courses are good opportunities for them to learn Chinese language, which cover basic level, intermediate level and advanced level.

Short courses for Chinese language

Whoever wants to learn Chinese language can apply for short courses at CI UDSM, which cover basic level 1 & 2, and intermediate level 1 &2. The duration of each session is about two months. And the tuition fee is, 120,000 (Tshs) for UDSM students, 150,000 (Tshs) for Secondary School students, 200,000 (Tshs) for UDSM staff and students from other universities and 300,000 (Tshs) for others.

Besides, CI UDSM has set up 19 affiliated Chinese language centers around Tanzania, which also offer a variety of Chinese language courses. At the university level, there are 10 centers, including Ardhi University (Dar), Center for Foreign Relations (Dar), Dar es Salaam University College of Education (Dar), Institute of Accountancy Arusha (Arusha), Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy (Dar), Mkwawa University College of Education (Iringa), Mbeya University of Science and Technology (Mbeya), National College of Tourism (Dar), St. Augustine University of Tanzania (Mwanza) and Tanzania Public Service College (Dar).

At the secondary and primary school level, there are 9 centers, including Baobab Secondary School (Dar), Joseph Witts Bukanga High School (Musoma), King David Priamry & Secondary School (Mtwara), Mlimani Primary School (Dar), Nyangao Seconday School (Lindi), Rosmini Secondary School (Tanga), Sangu Secondary School (Mbeya), St. Christina Girl’s Secondary School (Tanga) and St. Mathews Priamry & Secondary School (Dar).

In recent years, the numbers of students of CI UDSM increased sharply, from 268 students in 2013 to 13,235 students in 2018. Till the end of October 2018, the amount of students of CI UDSM is about 33,868. A growing number of Tanzanian people are joining in CI UDSM to learn Chinese language.

CI UDSM, with the mission of being a platform for Tanzanian people to learn Chinese language and Chinese culture, as well as a center for cultural and academic exchange, is delighted to have friends coming from nearness or afar.

Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma

Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma (CIUDOM) ever since its establishment in April, 2013, has been well operating while keeping up a vigorous momentum.

So far, China has sent 17 teachers to CIUDOM (including three directors) and 53 volunteer teachers to work in CIUDOM. UDOM, accordingly, provides 1 director, 1 administrator and 1 part-time accountant. At present, CIUDOM has 7 Chinese teachers, 19 volunteer Chinese teachers and 2 local Chinese teachers.

During the academic year 2018/2019, CIUDOM has accomplished remarkable achievements in the implementation of various academic and cultural activities.

Chinese Language Teaching

During the period of 2018/2019, CIUDOM has continued to offer BA Chinese (major) for both the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM).

From November 2018 to present, about 1028 students registered for credit courses while 529 registered for non-credit courses. At UDOM, there are 13 credit courses while in MUM there are 6 credit courses. The main courses are Comprehensive Chinese, Guideline of Chinese Culture, Chinese Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, Standard Course HSK.

In the aspect of credits system, on top of B.A. in Chinese, Chinese courses have managed to be integrated into the curriculum of both UDOM and MUM. Chinese language also became a major and minor for the students for B.A. Education, the students from College of Business and Law and from College of Social Science in the University of Dodoma, who can choose 2 Chinese language courses. 

For the Bachelor Degree of Languages and Interpretation at MUM, Chinese language is the sole foreign language and 6 Chinese courses have been provided. Students from the Education School can minor in Chinese language and choose 2 Chinese courses.

Cultural activities

In the year 2018/2019, CIUDOM initiated all varieties of cultural activities, namely, Chinese Movie Week, Chinese Traditional Medicine Seminar, Chinese Festival Celebrations with Tanzanians and Chinese Singing Competition etc., in which about 11000 participants were involved; year on year growth is 30%. For instance, On 21st January, 2019, CIUDOM hosted “the 5th Chinese Songs Competition for College and Secondary School Students in Tanzania” held at the Hall of Umonga Secondary School.

In this competition 12 students from 12 secondary schools and 12 college students from CIUDOM, CIUDSM and Confucius class from Zanzibar participated. About 500 students composed the audience, which enhanced the friendship between China and Tanzania by music.

Local Chinese business Companies take an active part in the cultural activities held by CIUDOM and also CI students can work in these business companies, which set up a good example for other Chinese learners.

Featured and Innovative Programmes

During the period of 2018/2019, CIUDOM has administered 3 HSK tests with a total number of 402 test takers being involved and 2 HSKK tests with 59 students.

In this academic year, a total number of 33 students were recommended for Confucius Institute Scholarships and luckily, they all got it and went to top Universities for their further study in China. Other 4 students will get the China Government Scholarships offered for the first time by Chinese Embassy in Tanzania. Until now, 183 students have been sent to China to study in Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma.

Community services and New Centres

In Tanzania, Chinese is an optional course in secondary schools. From 2015, six public secondary schools were selected by the Tanzania Ministry of Education as experimental schools to offer Chinese course.

The authorities have also agreed to teach Wushu in 56 experimental schools of physical education. The Ministry of Education in Tanzania agreed to take private schools into the Chinese Secondary Schools programs.

Beside its major centres (UDOM & MUM), CIUDOM has started Chinese teaching in Viwandani Secondary School, Al-Qarem Seminary Secondary School-Dodoma and Butima Secondary-Mwanza. Chinese language was also taught in Immigration Office in Dodoma and Maasai Primary School in Singida. The next step is to make MUM teaching centre be a Confucius Classroom, which will be established in May, 2019.

In summer vacation, CIUDOM offered Chinese course in Immigration Office and Police station and Fire Brigade in Morogoro region, Immigration Office and police station and Lawyers in Dodoma Region.

Concerning initiating more collaboration with other colleges and universities, CIUDOM has consulted the Open University of Tanzania, St. John’s University of Dodoma and the National College of Tourism in Arusha, the University of Iringa, process is progressing well so far hoping to sign the MOU soon.

In future, CIUDOM has planned to work much harder to start more Chinese teaching centres and let more Tanzanians know about China, learn Chinese language and culture.