A workshop on Chinese Proficiency Level Standards for International Chinese Language Education was held on February 25 at the University of Nairobi (UON) in Kenya. The event was organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Education and the UON.

Stephen Kiama, vice-president of UON, Faith Belinda Nyamboki, an officer involved in developing Chinese language curriculum for the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, and Wang Shangxue, the Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at UON, attended the event. Over 200 Chinese language professionals, researchers, and students, as well as officials from UON and Tianjin Normal University (TNU). TNU’s President Zhong Yinghua was invited to give a speech online.

Zhong (right) attends the workshop on Chinese Proficiency Level Standards for International Chinese Language Education online.

Kiama said the Chinese Proficiency Level Standards for International Chinese Language Education (called the "Standards") are the top guidelines for teaching Chinese worldwide. Local teachers need to understand and use them in their teaching, while also customizing them.

Zhong pointed out that the newly released “Standards” comprehensively describe and evaluate the Chinese language skills and levels of learners, which is of great significance. He stated that the workshop will help promoting the use of these standards in Africa, paving the way for more effective Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange between China and Kenya, and even the whole Africa.

The workshop, hosted by Mei Ziyue, a local Chinese language teacher, used online and offline approaches. It included keynote speeches, presentations, teaching design, and discussions. Wang Xuesong, secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Chinese Language Teaching for Foreigners at TJNU provided a detailed interpretation of the “Standard” and its significance.

A workshop on Chinese Proficiency Level Standards for International Chinese Language Education is held on February 25 at the University of Nairobi (UON) in Kenya.

Wang was followed by Professor Li Chunling from the Central University of Finance and Economics who explained the “Standards” in terms of syllables, Chinese characters, vocabulary, and grammar.

Zhao Xuan, a teacher from the Chinese Testing International Co introduced the development of international Chinese language proficiency tests. Local teachers also shared their research progress and practical applications of the “Standard”.

The "Standards" set a benchmark for Chinese language education worldwide, providing practical guidelines for improving teaching quality, measuring learners' proficiency levels, developing their professional skills, and playing a crucial role in promoting high-quality development of international Chinese education in the new era.