RIYADH: Chinese language classes have been launched in the country's schools to equip young people with valuable language skills and cultivate a deeper understanding of the Asian nation's culture.
The language is taught to primary and secondary school students.
According to reports, there are 175 educators teaching Mandarin in Saudi Arabia, in line with an education agreement the two countries signed last year.
“Arabic courses are widely available in Chinese universities, and many international high schools also have Arabic teachers.” (Shutterstock)
The ministry said young students from Saudi Arabia will improve their chances of finding work or studying at prestigious Chinese universities.
Hanan Alharbi, a Saudi mother from Riyadh, said she was “very positive” about the ministry's decision because it was “an important step to promote global culture and provide students with new and useful language skills, especially since the teachers are Chinese.”
The decision is in line with China's growing importance in the global economy and the thriving trade and economic ties between the two nations.
QUICKFACTS
• According to reports, 175 educators are teaching Mandarin in Saudi Arabia, in line with an education agreement the two countries signed last year.
• Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education said it has selected several schools for a pilot language program before gradually expanding the curriculum to include teaching up to third secondary by 2029.
A Chinese mother from Tianjin, Taotao Wang, said: “We see this as a positive development. For us, it means sharing the cultural classics of Chinese civilization beyond our borders.
“It helps Saudi Arabia remove barriers to effective communication between our two nations. This cultural exchange is about finding beauty in our differences and growing together.”
Alice Xiong, a teacher from China's Guangdong province, told Arab News that she sees it as a “win-win” situation.
“Saudi Arabia is an energetic country with a lot of young people. There are more and more Chinese doing business and traveling in Saudi Arabia… teaching Chinese in schools will facilitate and simplify communication for young people in both countries.”
She said Arabic is now being taught in China.
“Arabic courses are widely available in Chinese universities, and many international high schools also have Arabic teachers. I hope cultural and trade exchanges between the two countries will get better and better,” she said.
The ministry said it had selected several schools to pilot the language program before gradually expanding the curriculum to include teaching up to the third secondary year by 2029.
This phased approach will allow the Department to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make necessary adjustments.
The Royal Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan recently highlighted the government's significant investment in the sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
