Kigali — It's already lucky to be the only EAC country using two international languages, English and French but Rwanda is being encouraged to adopt a third global language, Chinese.
Last week, Shu Zhan, the Ambassador of the people's republic of China to Rwanda, officially launched the teaching of the Chinese language at a community secondary school located in Gatsibo district, in Rwanda's Eastern Province.
During his speech, the diplomat told hundreds of secondary school students to put efforts in learning the language as it would open up new opportunities for them including increasing their chances for further studies in China.
"Being fluent in Chinese language would make it easier for you to obtain scholarship opportunities in China as well as getting employment with Chinese companies in this competitive global labor market," the envoy counseled.
The community school which was constructed with aid from China was opened in 2010 and has a total enrollment of more than 300 students, majority being girls.
According to Enoch Ahimbisibwe, the School head, 205 students are already learning Chinese as one of the subjects and they were impressed by the visit of the Chinese diplomat when they demonstrated their level of fluency in the language.
"When you speak some simple Chinese, you will be surprised how easy it is to learn the language," said 14 year old Emmanuel Ntwali, a senior three student who made the statement in fluent Chinese.
Ambrose Ruboneza, the Gatsibo district mayor said Rwanda's relationship with China should go beyond education and cover other sectors such as Agriculture and other investment opportunities available in Rwanda.
"The efforts in learning the Chinese language and culture as expressed here shows how committed we are to our relationship with China, this should be expanded to cover other areas of mutual interest," he remarked.
He pledged his efforts in linking up the Eastern Province with private Chinese enterprises for potential investment deals this after the call for Chinese investors was reiterated by the governor of the province, Odette Uwamariya.
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President Barack Obama wants everyone to learn a foreign language,as well, but which one should it be? The British learn French, the Australians study Japanese, and the Americans prefer Spanish.
Yet this leaves Mandarin Chinese and Hindi out of the equation. I think we should move forward and teach a common,neutal and easily learnt language, in all nations worldwide. The only one, The case for Esperanto should be more frequently aired:)
Detail can be seen at http://www.lernu.net . Also http://eurotalk.com/en/store/learn/esperanto
I wish these students well in learning Chinese, but I cannot help feeling that they would benefit more by learning Esperanto, the planned international language.