STORY: Tanzanian teacher empowers youth with Chinese language skills
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Nov. 19, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:15
LOCATION: DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
CATEGORY: EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Asha Fum Khamis teaching in a classroom at University of Dar es Salaam
2. SOUNDBITE (Swahili): ASHA FUM KHAMIS, Chinese language teacher, Confucius Institute, University of Dar es Salaam

STORYLINE:

"The Chinese language is the language of the day across the globe. It is the language that unlocks opportunities for the youth, locally and globally," said Asha Fum Khamis, a Chinese language teacher from Tanzania's Zanzibar at the Confucius Institute within the University of Dar es Salaam.

The 32-year-old teacher shared this sentiment shortly after concluding a Chinese language class at the Confucius Institute on Friday morning.

Asha, married to a Tanzanian fluent in Chinese and a mother to a six-month-old baby boy, proudly said that she has taught Chinese to more than 300 Tanzanian students during her three years of teaching.

SOUNDBITE (Swahili): ASHA FUM KHAMIS, Chinese language teacher, Confucius Institute, University of Dar es Salaam
"I started to work here in November 2021. And until now I have taught more than 300 students, among them I believe at least 50 are still actively learning the Chinese language. Some study Chinese because of influence from parents or friends, and others study from their heart and we still have them. The Chinese language is vital for Tanzanians because firstly it is a language with a lot of scholarships and a lot of employment opportunities. For instance, most of my students, when graduate, they have the assurance of either employment or scholarship. It is not possible to study the Chinese language here and be jobless on the street. It's a very important language, and personally, I wish all my family members including my grandparents can study the Chinese language, though I know that's not possible."

The Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, marking its 10th anniversary in July 2023, has played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchanges and facilitating Chinese language learning, significantly contributing to the enhancement of China-Tanzania ties.

Established in 2013 through an agreement involving the University of Dar es Salaam, the Chinese International Education Foundation, and Zhejiang Normal University, the Confucius Institute aims to be a leading Chinese language training and testing center, fostering academic and cultural exchanges in Africa.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
(XHTV)