By Omar Faye
In a hall buzzing with curiosity and determination, a new wave of students is embracing the challenge of learning Mandarin Chinese, a language and tradition as ancient as it is influential in today’s globalized world.
In The Gambia, student enrollment in Mandarin classes is on the rise. At the Confucius Institute, located at the University of The Gambia (UTG), the interest in Chinese language and culture is growing steadily. As part of the International Chinese Language Day celebrations, the Institute recently hosted a seminar on “Sharing and Experiencing Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
The seminar was led by guest speaker Dr. Shiqi Gao, who guided students through the rich history and practices of traditional Chinese medicine and healing.
Among the students in attendance was 22-year-old Nadette Boleh Taylor, a language enthusiast enrolled at the Confucius Institute.
“Since an early age, I’ve liked the Chinese—especially those ‘kung fu’ movies. They fascinate me so much. But growing up, I wanted to become a civil engineer, and I noticed that China is like the leader in engineering,” she said, her excitement shining through.
Nadette believes that learning a new language can be fun and rewarding. For her, Mandarin is more than just a language. It’s a stepping stone toward a potential career in linguistics.
“It’s easy because my interest is there, and I haven’t struggled with it,” she added.
The Confucius Institute at UTG was established following an agreement signed in December 2017 between China and The Gambia. Since its inception, the Institute has worked closely with local and international partners to promote Chinese language instruction, organize cultural activities, and foster academic exchanges between Beijing and Banjul.
Dr. Christopher Belford, Local and Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at UTG, highlighted the growing demand for Chinese language education.
“At UTG, we currently offer a few Chinese courses, and we’re working towards making Chinese a general requirement for students, giving them the option to choose between French, Arabic, or Chinese. By next semester, if all goes well, we’ll introduce Chinese as a minor,” Dr. Belford said.
Despite perceptions of Mandarin being a complex language, interest is surging.
“We registered over 50 students just last semester, and the number keeps growing,” he added.
Zhouya Guo, one of the Chinese volunteers at the Institute, shared her experience teaching Gambian students.
“I find it very interesting because many Gambians are eager to learn. I teach Chinese and help organize cultural events like our traditional festivals. Our students study very hard, and you can feel their love for the language,” Guo said.
When asked if teaching beginners poses challenges, she smiled and responded warmly
“You just treat them like your own children. Then they’ll feel it, and they’ll support you.”
