Xinhua News Agency & Chinese Media Write about University’s Cameroonian Alumna, “Gifted teacher” & “Genius student” Zhou Litong
Xinhua News Agency Yaounde, April 2nd report.
Xinhua reporter : Huang Yanan
A Cameroonian woman who goes by the Chinese name of Zhou Litong is currently working as a Chinese teacher in a public middle school located in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. Zhou Litong, who was awarded her Master’s degree in International Chinese Education back in 2014 at Zhejiang Normal University, has begun her application process for a different type of doctorate scholarship known as CCSP ( Confucius China Studies Program).If it succeeds, Zhou Litong might well be on her way to the Beijing Language University to pursue her doctor’s degree.
During a recent interview with Xinhua, Zhou Litong talked about her high-school-day dream of being a language teacher. In 2009, in an effort to make this dream a reality, she enrolled in the department of Chinese language and literature at Maroua University which is located in the far North region of Cameroon. Zhou Litong said that she was drawn to Maroua University’s Chinese studies, and it was her curiosity that ultimately leaded her to take part in the entrance exams. This was the beginning of her Chinese-learning.
After graduating from Maroua University in 2012, Zhou Litong was awarded a Confucius Institute Scholarship to study International Chinese Education at Zhejiang Normal University. Before coming to China Zhou Litong has passed the HSK level 4 exam under her belt, and has been the champion of the “Chinese Bridge—Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Graduate Students” in Cameroon Division. It’s safe to say at that point there would be no language barrier between her and the Chinese locals. But Zhou Litong found it was a challenge to adjust herself to the local climate and food.
During her two years life as an International student, almost all of Zhou Litong’s time was spent on learning. Out of the 15 students in her class, her scores were by far the best. She was also awarded an “excellent” on her graduation dissertation. She said it was during the two years that her Chinese level has been improved massively.
Zhou Litong has a keen interest in teaching. She’s currently in charge of teaching an optional course in Chinese for two classes (a total of 135 students). Zhou Litong said that more and more students are taking an interest in Chinese, and out of all the languages taught there, Chinese is by far the most popular.
When talking about her plans for the future, she said, upon returning home with her doctor’s degree she still wishes to teach Chinese, but this time she hopes to be able to teach in a university.
According to the teachers in the Yaounde Confucius Institute, a student named Dai Sihe is somewhat of a legend. In September 2015 after just 3 months of Chinese-learning at the Confucius Institute, this “Chinese genius” passed HSK level 4 and an intermediate oral exam. This month he’s even planned on taking part in the HSK level 5. Upon being asked whether he can pass, he seemed more than confident.
Dai Sihe was firstly introduced to the Chinese language at a summer camp held by the Confucius Institute in 2011. The camp lasted for 3 weeks and it was there where Dai Sihe fell in love with Chinese. He became a regular face at the camp for the next two years. Each camp increased his fondness for Chinese. After graduating from high school in 2015, Dai Sihe didn’t take an entry exam for university like his friends, because he has his sights set on coming to China and learn Chinese there instead.
Dai Sihe said that according to his current scores he feels there’s a hope of achieving his Chinese dream. He wants to study a Chinese language major. When his Chinese is good enough he hopes to return home and become a Chinese teacher. Upon being asked his secret for learning Chinese well, Dai Sihe said he attended classes at the Confucius Institute everyday. There he had the chance to practice his speaking with the teachers. While he’s not at the Confucius institute, Dai Sihe likes to study at home by himself. He thinks that interest is the best teacher. That’s why he has made such a great progress in a short period of time.
Relevant websites：新华网：http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-04/03/c_1118522616.htm
搜狐网：http://mt.sohu.com/20160403/n443253033.shtml
中国侨网：http://www.chinaqw.com/hwjy/2016/04-05/84469.shtml
浙江在线：http://edu.zjol.com.cn/system/2016/04/03/021094932.shtml
