On Saturday, February 25, 2023, an online and offline workshop on the theme “Chinese proficiency grading standards for international Chinese language education” was held at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. The event attracted more than 200 African Chinese language teachers, International Chinese language teachers, researchers, Chinese language students, education authorities, and other relevant personnel in Africa. Dignitaries present both online and offline included Professor Stephen Kiama, Vice-chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Professor Zhong Yinghua, President of Tianjin Normal University, Professor Borogaia, University of Nairobi, Ms. Feis, Chinese Curriculum Development Officer of Kenya Curriculum Development Council, and deans of Confucius Institutes in Africa. Local Chinese language teachers and Volunteer teachers from the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana also participated online via zoom. The event included keynote lectures, speeches, discussion groups, and summaries.
The Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education was published on 24th March 2021 and implemented on 1st July 2021. The aim of the workshop was to promote the understanding of the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education among local Chinese teachers in Kenya and Africa and to promote the application of the grading standards in Africa. The University of Nairobi in Kenya hence was mandated by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation in China to organize an online workshop.
The workshop began at 5:30 am GMT with keynote speeches from Professor Kiama, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, and Prof. Zhong Yinghua, President of Tianjin Normal University. Keynote lectures were delivered by Professor Wang Xue Song of Beijing Normal University on the topic ““The significance and content of “grading standards”. This was followed by a presentation on the topic “Interpreting the “grading standards” from multiple perspectives in terms of syllables, Chinese characters, vocabulary, and grammar” by Professor Li Chun Ling of the Central University of Finance and Economics. Ms. Zhao Xuan of Chinese Test international concluded the session with a presentation on the topic “The development of international Chinese test and standard-based test reform”.
After all three lectures were delivered, participants were added to small discussion groups to discuss and share their thoughts and opinions on the lectures. In the afternoon, Dr. Susan Wanjiru Wachira a local Chinese teacher and teaching supervisor at Kenyatta University in Kenya presented on the topic “Localization of Chinese Proficiency Level Standards in the Context of Ability Education”. This was followed by a presentation on the topic “Chinese Skill Localization Teaching Based on Grade Standards-Vocabulary” by Mr. Peter Gikonyo from the University of Nairobi. Then, Mr. Derek Asaba Chi from the University of Yaounde II, Cameroon on the topic “Chinese Skill Localization Teaching based on Grade Standards-Translation” and Mr. Samuel K Deyekeh University of Liberia on “Chinese Skill Localization Teaching based on Grade Standards-Pronunciation”.
The workshop came to an end after the second group discussion and each group leader gave a summary report on what was discussed in each group.