STORY: Learning Chinese catches on in Türkiye
SHOOTING TIME: April 19, 2024
DATELINE: April 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:01
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Istanbul city in Türkiye
2. various of Chinese teacher teaching Chinese language in the classroom (file 2023)
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): MERYEM NUR TASCIOVA, Student
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): MERYEM NUR TASCIOVA, Student
5. various of Chinese teacher teaching Chinese language in the classroom (file 2023)
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): CILE MADEN KALKAN, Academic at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): CILE MADEN KALKAN, Academic at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Turkish): CILE MADEN KALKAN, Academic at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
9. various of Chinese teacher teaching Chinese language in the classroom (file 2023)
10. SOUNDBITE 6 (Turkish): MUSTAFA KARSLI, Vice president of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association
11. SOUNDBITE 7 (Turkish): MUSTAFA KARSLI, Vice president of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association

STORYLINE:

Meryem Nur Tasciova has harbored a long-standing dream of learning Chinese since her high school days. Now the Turkish girl is finally seeing her dream come true as she becomes a university student majoring in Chinese language and literature.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): MERYEM NUR TASCIOVA, Student
"I chose Chinese because along with English, it is the most widely spoken language globally, and at the same time, pursuing a career in Chinese offers more opportunities due to the sophistication of the language."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): MERYEM NUR TASCIOVA, Student
"I aspire to work as a translator, yet teaching also interests me because it allows me to engage in meaningful conversations with people."

The trend of learning Chinese is sweeping across the globe, and Türkiye is no exception. Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of people in Türkiye studying Chinese.

Cile Maden Kalkan, an academic in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, said universities nationwide are creating more openings for students and teachers to accommodate the increasing interest.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): CILE MADEN KALKAN, Academic at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
"Turkish youth are particularly interested in learning Chinese to pursue careers in the private sector and to explore opportunities in trade-based entrepreneurship."

According to Kalkan, China's promising economic prospects, rapidly advancing technological capabilities, and achievements in modernization are among the primary reasons driving the worldwide interest in its language.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): CILE MADEN KALKAN, Academic at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
"China today acts as a magnet, attracting investments from countries worldwide, and it leverages this position as an economic powerhouse and a source of employment within the country."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Turkish): CILE MADEN KALKAN, Academic at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
"Gaining proficiency in the language of a nation that significantly influences the global economy offers significant advantages for our students."

Founded in 1999, the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association has also witnessed a notable increase in demand for Chinese language courses in recent years.

In 2024, the number of students in Istanbul and Ankara reached 720, a significant increase from 300 the previous year. Apart from offering in-person classes, the association also delivers Chinese language lessons to schools, colleges, and institutions.

SOUNDBITE 6 (Turkish): MUSTAFA KARSLI, Vice president of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association
"As the Belt and Road Initiative continues to gain recognition and momentum, coupled with the increasing investments by Chinese companies in Türkiye, naturally, the interest in Chinese is on the rise."

In recent years, the association has increased its number of teachers from 12 to 24, doubling the original count.

SOUNDBITE 7 (Turkish): MUSTAFA KARSLI, Vice president of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association
"Due to the tonal nature of the Chinese language, which requires accurate pronunciation, it is essential to have qualified teachers with clear diction and accent who can teach it effectively."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)