The world is quickly changing, and so are the languages spoken by its people. Chinese, in particular, has seen a rapid global rise in the past decade, as more and more countries have incorporated it into their official language and education syllabus. This worldwide trend of learning Chinese is indicative of the language’s newfound influence on the global stage, making it essential for more people to learn and understand the language.
This surge in the popularity of the Chinese language has been further bolstered by the emergence of various international initiatives like the Belt and Road Forum, as well as the rapid expansion of reciprocal exchange programs between Chinese and English-speaking countries. More and more people are now motivated to learn Chinese and to their advantage—it’s estimated that out of the 1.3 billion people in China, more than 950 million have been learning the language for at least three years.
Adding to this, China’s propensity to host international Chinese-language teaching events such as the International Chinese Language Education Week have further helped to fuel a culture of mutual learning, thus encouraging the already-growing interest in Chinese among a variety of countries. As a result, the world is now seeing a dramatic jump in the number of students taking up the language, with more than 5,000 universities and institutes around the world providing courses in advanced Chinese language learning.
But what’s making China such an attractive destination for language learners? For starters, the language itself is considered one of the most unique in its grammar awareness, pronunciation conventions, and subtle nuances. It’s estimated that about 1.3 billion people in China are fluent in the language—a statistic that proves its tremendous influence in the country’s culture and society.
Moreover, the inclusion of Chinese as a mandatory language in some of China’s major universities has further helped to increase the global visibility of the language. To this end, universities in China offer a range of Chinese language courses through student exchange and scholarship programs, giving significant incentive to those looking to perfect their languages skills.
In addition to this, China’s adoption of a variety of initiatives designed to make learning the language easier has sparked a considerable amount of interest among students. For instance, the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) is becoming increasingly popular among language learners all over the world. This standardized test has been taken by more than 10 million people since it was established in 1992, allowing them to assess their understanding of the language.
Furthermore, the emergence of online Chinese language learning tools such as Pleco, Mondelii, and Duolingo has also encouraged students from diverse backgrounds to learn the language. Not only are these platforms accommodating for people with different language skillsets, but they’re also extremely economical and user-friendly, allowing individuals to learn the language at their own pace without the need of attending formal classes or even travelling overseas.
In conclusion, it’s clear that the world is witnessing a rising trend of learning Chinese, and it’s increasingly evident that it will only continue to grow moving forward. With the language itself being seen as a key to opening doors to new opportunities and dimensions, it’s becoming a priority for more and more people to learn and engage with Chinese culture and society. The prevalence of easier learning platforms and extensive exchange programs further makes the language accessible to those who want to understand and appreciate it better.