— as Chinese lecturer completes tour of duty

HUNDREDS of Guyanese, for the first time in Guyana’s history, have been formally taught Mandarin – the official language in China — thanks to 32-year-old Qian Zhao; Zhao dedicated approximately four years of her life to teaching Mandarin Chinese here.

Zhao, who is commonly called ‘Connie,’ journeyed to Guyana in September 2015 after completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Bilingual Study of English and Japanese
(2011), and a Master’s Programme (2014) at the Dalian University of Foreign Languages in China. She completed her tour of duty recently, and has since returned to China. Before departing these shores, Zhao, during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said the experience of teaching hundreds of Guyanese was remarkable.

She began lecturing at the Confucius Institute at the University of Guyana (CIUG) in September 2015, as a result of an arrangement among the University of Guyana, the Dalian University of Foreign Languages and Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters). CIUG teaches Chinese language and culture to Guyanese from all walks of life. It is the official Chinese language teaching and cultural centre as well as Chinese-related information centre in Guyana.

Zhao explained that while the Confucius Institute was established on May 19, 2014, it was not until September 2015 on her arrival, that classes in Mandarin Chinese commenced. To date, CIUG offers eight levels of Mandarin Chinese, ranging from “Elementary to Advanced.” Zhao explained that university students have the option of choosing Mandarin Chinese as an elective course, and every semester approximately 300 students, sign up to learn various levels of the language.

In September, 2016, Zhao began teaching public service officers, including foreign service officers (FSOs), Mandarin. It was the vision of the then Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge to have the foreign service officers (FSOs) attached to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), exposed to various languages, among them, Mandarin, given Guyana’s close ties with China.

“So far, I already provided Chinese teaching to more than 100 public service officers. So we have done the basic, which is the elementary level and intermediate level for the students,” Zhao explained. It was noted that through the FSI, four levels of the Mandarin are being taught – the first two being elementary and the third and fourth levels are considered to be intermediate.

“At the elementary level, we would give detailed and specific explanation about Chinese phonetics and pronunciation system because the Chinese language, when we pronounce it, it is totally different from the English Language. So we should build a very clear outline and knowledge for the students about the pronunciation,” Zhao explained. Come September, 2019, the Chinese lecturer disclosed that the public service officers will be exposed to Advanced Levels five and six. The classes are taught at the Police Officers Training Centre.

PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS
Zhao said persons practising Mandarin Chinese are given the opportunity to take the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) offered in March and September, annually. HSK is an international, standardised exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It was noted that the proficiency examination has two components – HSK (written) and HSKK (oral). In addition to being exposed to the other levels, come September, FSOs will be tested on their ability to speak Mandarin Chinese.

Zhao told this newspaper that on successful completion of the HSK exam, FSOs are given the opportunity to participate in a Summer Camp in Beijing, China. In 2017, 15 FSOs participated in a language camp, while in 2018, only three persons participated.
Zhao said she was encouraged by the positive attitudes displayed by both the FSOs, and the university students.

“I received a lot of hospitality from my Guyanese friends. I am not going to say I wouldn’t come back, no I wouldn’t say that. I think there is still a possibility for me to return because I really like this place, I like the environment, I like the food, and most of all I like the people here,” she said. Zhao is now going to pursue her doctorate. Zhao’s replacement will arrive in Guyana in August.

REMARKABLE JOB
Director of the Foreign Service Institute, Ambassador Ronald Austin, in a separate interview with the Guyana Chronicle said that Zhao has done a remarkable job teaching Mandarin Chinese here, and the institute will forever be thankful. Ambassador Austin said knowing Mandarin Chinese would become an asset within five-10 years.
“China is increasingly one of the most powerful and respected members of the international community,” Ambassador Austin said, while adding that the country is likely to have the largest economy within 30 years.

According to ‘Focus Economics,’ the U.S. has the largest economy in the world, followed by China. “When it comes to the top national economies globally, although the order may shift around slightly from one year to the next, the key players are usually the same. At the top of the list is the United States of America, which according to Investopedia, has been at the head of the table going all the way back to 1871. However, as has been the case for a good few years now, China is gaining on the U.S., with some even claiming that China has already overtaken the U.S. as the world’s Number 1 economy,” Focus Economics explained.

Ambassador Austin said that China would also have a dominant role in international politics. “It would be the first time, in the last 100 years, that you will have a non-English speaking country at the top of the international system. Previously it was Britain, succeeded by the United States. When a country is in that position, inevitably its culture, language and other morals are transferred to other nations with which their countries would have to associate or conduct relations,” Ambassador Austin explained.

In 2018, then Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge signed Guyana onto the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a significant development strategy launched by the Chinese government with the intention of promoting economic co-operation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes. The initiative has been designed to enhance the orderly free-flow of economic factors and the efficient allocation of resources. It is also intended to further market integration and create a regional economic co-operation framework of benefit to all. The Belt and Road Initiative has been listed as one of the largest infrastructural and investment projects in history, covering 73 countries, now a total of 74 with the addition of Guyana as well as 28 international organisations. Ambassador Austin maintained that it is important to know Mandarin. Guyana and China established diplomatic relations in 1972.

In keeping with the mandate given by Greenidge, who is now the Ministry’s Foreign Secretary, the Foreign Service Institute is also offering courses in Spanish, and Portuguese.