Language a new medium of Nepal-China relation

B. Ed. in Chinese Language Teaching

Language is a tool for communication. Culture is a bridge for people to understand each other. Only by mastering the language and culture that can play a vital role in communication, we can open a window to the world to embrace each other. China and Nepal are linked by mountains and rivers and have centuries long history of exchanges. Sino-Nepalese relation has developed rapidly. Nepal, being a neighbor of a giant and growing nation like China, can benefit heterogeneously. Nepal has signed a memorandum of understanding under the “Belt and Road” initiative put forward by China. As a country along the “Belt and Road” route, the exchanges between the two countries in all fields are extremely important, and the exchanges in the educational and cultural aspect cannot be forsaken. There are several institution running since long time which provide Chinese Language training. However, professional learning and the application of scientific methods in teaching Chinese Language is hardly found in Nepal. Acknowledging the importance and necessity, Kathmandu University School of Education(KUSOED), in collaboration with Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban, China has been offering Bachelors of Education in Chinese Language Teaching, a four years bachelors degree program, from 2016. This is the first time in Nepal any higher educational institution has brought up with new thought in education.

During four years of study, enrolled students take classes in Kathmandu University(KU), Dhulikhel in the first year. After learning the basics, second and third year courses are taught in Hebei University of Economics and Business, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. The tuition fee and accommodation along with monthly living stipend of CNY 2500 is covered by Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban during their stay in China. They come back to KU for the final year. Within 4 years, students complete 126 credits, which include 120 credits for taught course, 3 credits for teaching internship and 3 credits for research internship.

In few years time, KU hopes produce handful of professionals who would contribute in the developing more professionals in years to come. This would be helpful to fulfill the demand Nepal has been seeking from long time.