Kolombo, Sri Lanka – Nestled in the southern slopes of the central mountain range of Sri Lanka lies Sabaragamuwa University, a picturesque campus surrounded by lush greenery and the distant sound of Chinese language echoing through the air. This serene setting belies the challenges faced by the three Chinese female teachers who have dedicated their lives to nurturing the burgeoning Chinese fever at the university.
In 2019, the Hubei Normal University of China and Sabaragamuwa University jointly established a Confucius Institute, marking the beginning of a cultural and educational exchange between the two nations. The Chinese teachers, who have been working tirelessly for over three years, have managed to turn the remote campus into a hub of Chinese language learning.
The journey to the university is no easy feat. It requires a grueling five-hour drive through winding mountain roads, and the living conditions are far from luxurious. Mosquitoes, snakes, and rodents frequently visit the teachers’ dormitories, and during the rainy season, water, electricity, and internet outages can last for up to a week. Fresh produce and daily necessities must be purchased at a farmer’s market held once a week, and the nearest supermarket is an hour’s drive away.
Despite these challenges, the three Chinese teachers, led by the Confucius Institute Director Zhu Song, remain optimistic. We have made it through the most difficult period of Sri Lanka’s economy in 2022, and now our living and working conditions have improved significantly, Zhu said. I feel quite content.
Two of the teachers, Zhang Huan and Xia Zihan, are young, 90-year-old women who have been teaching Chinese for several years in Nepal. Their experience in the field has only reinforced their dedication to their chosen profession. We use our positive, friendly, and energetic demeanor to inspire our students and spark their interest in China, Zhang said.
Under the efforts of the three Chinese teachers, the Confucius Institute at Sabaragamuwa University has developed a rich and diverse curriculum. They have written and compiled their own teaching materials tailored to the local students’ needs. They also introduce traditional Chinese arts and culture, such as Huangmei Opera and caiqiao (a traditional Chinese rhythmic drumming), through videos and other resources. Additionally, the Confucius Institute has established a Chinese teaching point in a nearby mountainous secondary school and provided regular training for local Chinese teachers.
The enthusiasm for learning Chinese has spread like wildfire in the local community. Xia Zihan said that the Confucius Institute offers twice-weekly Chinese courses for faculty members, attracting nearly 20 students. The former president of Sabaragamuwa University always comes to class in person and signs the attendance sheet religiously. The librarian, who is nearly 70 years old, often finds us for extra lessons after class. Their active participation and positive feedback are the greatest motivation for us, Xia said.
Rula丽, a student at the Confucius Institute, shared her experience of organizing a Chinese cuisine festival this year. We made dumplings and tanghulu (Chinese candy coated with sugar and then roasted over a fire) and attracted more than 400 local residents. They learned Chinese from us, and I even taught them how to say ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘dumplings.’ I feel like I’m a Chinese teacher myself!
Rohan Abeysinghe, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Languages at Sabaragamuwa University, said that the interest in studying Chinese has been growing among the students. This year, 21 students have chosen Chinese as their first major, and another 50 have chosen it as their second or third major.
The rural population of Sri Lanka exceeds 80%. Now that the Confucius Institute has taken root here, the ‘Chinese dream’ of students in the mountainous areas is no longer distant, Abeysinghe said.
The success of the Confucius Institute at Sabaragamuwa University is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the dedication of educators who go above and beyond to share their passion for language and culture with others.
Views: 0