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The 11th Chinese bridge competition was recently held in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. It’s a one-of-a-kind contest that showcases Kenyan students’ Chinese language skills.
This year it attracted 16 competitors who showed off their talents at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi. CCTV’s Susan Mwongeli reports.
16 students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi participated in the Kenya finals. The competition was divided into three parts: Chinese speech, a 3-minute talent show and a segment on general knowledge. The 1st part was rather interesting and attracted many.
Student Liu Mei said, Leaders, judges, friends, hello everybody!
Student Nobert said, I’ve learnt Chinese for 9 months, I don’t think it is difficult.
Although most of the contestants had only studied Chinese for a short time, they were determined to show case their prowess in the Chinese language.
Student Mercy said, Chinese culture and Kenyan culture have similar parts and different parts.
Student Benson said, My name is Benson, I don’t have an English name, because I am Chinese.
Among the participants was Anthony, his passion for the Chinese language was evident in his performance.
Anthony competitor said, "When I graduated from senior high school, my mother asked me which major I want to be. I told her without any hesitation "I want to learn Chinese". My mum thought it is a crazy choice,she said "What?!Are you crazy? Why do you want to learn Chinese?!!" I told her "I am not a baby,.It is my choice,never change!"
The second part of the completion was the talent show and here, the students out did themselves with both song and dance. After an exciting competition Anthony was crowned the winner. He will now visit China to take part in the Chinese Bridge Competition semi-finals and finals.
The prize also includes a 1 semester scholarship from the Confucius Institute to learn Chinese in China and a free international tickets. He also assumes the tittle of "Chinese Language Envoy" in Kenya. With events like these, the director of the Confucius institute in Kenya hopes Chinese language studies will catch on, and bring in new students.
Yang Daping, Confucius Inst., Kenyatta Univ., said, "Chinese is a hot subject in Kenya. Kenya’s Education Departments are now planning to make Chinese a course in primary schools. At the Confucius Institutes, we will do our best to help them expand the subject. We hope Chinese culture and education will have a big future."
Kenya built the 1st Confucius Institute in African continent in 2005, which later grew into two Institutes. It now boasts over 2000 students, which serves as proof of the increased political and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
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