CAPE TOWN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- An international symposium on Chinese language education opened in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday, bringing together experts to discuss the development of education standards and the localization of Chinese language teaching.
The two-day "Symposium on the Development of International Chinese Language Education Standards and the Localization of Chinese Language Education" is jointly organized by the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the Chinese Language Teachers Association South Africa, and the Belt and Road Language Ecology Research Center at Zhejiang Normal University.
Over 50 professionals from 13 countries, including China, South Africa, South Korea, France, Cameroon, Australia, the United States, Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo, are attending the event to discuss Chinese language teaching and learning, the development of international Chinese language education, local teacher training, digital and intelligent education resources, and the standardization of Chinese language education.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Monwabisi Ralarala, acting vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor of the UWC, said the symposium coincides with the 10th anniversary of Mandarin Chinese being formally included in South Africa's basic education curriculum and "commemorates a decade of engagement."
He said language education cooperation between China and South Africa since then has also enhanced the credibility and profile of China-Africa people-to-people exchanges.
Ralarala noted that the symposium focuses on standards and localization, which are essential components of language education.
According to him, standards help ensure consistency in curriculum design and assessment, while localization reflects the role and meaning of a language within specific education systems and communities.
In his address, Chinese Consul-General in Cape Town Ren Faqiang said language plays an important role in promoting communication among people, preserving civilizations, and enhancing mutual understanding.
"As the most widely spoken language in the world, Chinese is a vital vehicle for passing on Chinese civilization, and a bond bringing the people of China and South Africa closer together," he said.
Ren also noted this year marks the 10th anniversary of the official incorporation of Mandarin Chinese courses into the curriculum system of South Africa's Department of Basic Education, adding that Chinese language education has taken root and flourished across South Africa over the past decade.
"Chinese language education not only opens up more development and employment opportunities for South African youth, but also consolidates the foundation of people-to-people bonds between China and South Africa, constituting a vivid practice of cultural exchanges and mutual learning between our two nations," he said.
"We hope to leverage language as a medium and take the China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to further deepen cooperation in Chinese language teaching and elevate China-South Africa cultural and people-to-people exchanges to new heights," Ren added.
Robyn Mowatt, senior assessment specialist overseeing non-official languages at South Africa's Independent Examinations Board, said the Chinese language has steadily established itself within the South African schooling landscape since its inclusion in the national curriculum a decade ago.
She noted that Chinese language education provides South African learners with opportunities to participate more confidently in a global society and strengthens the longstanding friendship and cooperation between South Africa, China, and the African continent.
"As we reflect on the progress of the past decade, let us continue working together to ensure that Chinese language education continues to grow in quality, in accessibility, and in opportunity," Mowatt added.
