The Current Situation, Challenges, and Countermeasures of Chinese Language Education in Tanzania

In recent years, with the deepening of China-Tanzania cultural exchanges and policy cooperation, Chinese language education has gradually become institutionalized in Tanzania, forming a comprehensive framework that includes curricula, examinations, and teaching syllabi. Drawing upon language policy theory, policy documents, academic studies, and empirical data, this paper systematically examines the development, challenges, and improvement strategies of Chinese education in Tanzania. The findings show that while Chinese has been incorporated into national examinations at both lower and upper secondary levels, the number of candidates remains small and public recognition is limited. The teaching workforce relies primarily on Chinese-dispatched teachers, and local teacher training is still in its infancy. Moreover, teaching materials are largely imported from China, with insufficient localization and digitalization. To address these issues, the study proposes improving examination and certification systems, strengthening the cultivation of local teachers, and promoting localized and digitalized teaching resources, providing practical insights for the sustainable development of Chinese education in Tanzania and other African countries.

Keywords

Tanzania, Chinese language education, examination system, teacher training; teaching resources

source

International Journal of Chinese Language Education; Dec 2025; Issue No. 18; p.75-93

Language

Chinese