RIYADH: Chinese language classes have begun in schools across the country to equip young people with valuable language skills and deepen their appreciation for the Asian nation's culture.
Languages being taught to primary and lower secondary school students
The report said there are 175 teachers 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 Saudi students will have more opportunities to find jobs or study at top Chinese universities.
Hanan Al Harbi, a Saudi mother from Riyadh, said she felt “very good” about the ministry’s decision, saying it was “a significant step towards promoting global culture and providing students with new useful language skills, especially since the teacher is Chinese.”
The decision is in line with China's growing importance in the global economy and the flourishing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
fastfact
• It is reported that there are 175 teachers teaching Mandarin in Saudi Arabia, in line with an education agreement the two countries signed last year.
• Saudi Arabia's education ministry said it has selected several schools to pilot the language program before gradually expanding the curriculum to include instruction up to grade 3 by 2029.
“We see this as a positive development,” said Taotao Wang, a Chinese mother from Tianjin. “For us, it means sharing the classical culture of Chinese civilization across our borders.”
“For Saudi Arabia, cultural exchange effectively removes the barriers to communication between the two countries. Cultural exchange is about finding beauty in differences and growing together.”
Alice Xiong, a teacher from Guangdong province, China, told Arab News that she sees it as a “win-win” situation.
“Saudi Arabia is a dynamic country with a large number of young people. More and more Chinese people are doing business and traveling in Saudi Arabia. Teaching Chinese in schools will enable the youth of both countries to communicate easily and directly.”
She said that Arabic language is now being taught in China.
“Arabic courses are widely offered in Chinese universities, and many international high schools also have Arabic teachers. I hope the cultural and trade exchanges between the two countries will continue to improve,” she said.
The ministry said it has selected several schools to pilot the language program before gradually expanding the curriculum to include instruction up to Mathayom 3 by 2029.
This step-by-step approach will allow the Department to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make adjustments as needed.
Saudi Arabia's Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan has highlighted the government's significant investment in the sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
