Why fewer people want to learn Mandarin in New Zealand - CNA

SOME CONTINUE TO BE INTERESTED

Despite the waning interest in the language, there are New Zealanders who are still learning it.

“There’re a lot of Chinese people around me, and Chinese culture in Auckland and near where I live, (it's) something I see so it makes me more curious,” said third-year engineering student Rebecca Fitzpatrick, who took a summer class this year at the University of Auckland.

For others, the reasons are more pragmatic.

“I went on a school trip to China because I’m a business student and we learned about the strong connections between New Zealand and China," said final-year engineering and commerce student Matthew Edwards, who was also inspired by his Mandarin-speaking sister.

"I think it’s an increasingly important language especially if you’re living in the Pacific,” he said.

While Mandarin learning may be decreasing in the West, reports suggest the language is going strong in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia made Mandarin learning compulsory in secondary schools last year, joining the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Iran, which have added the language to the national curriculums. In Southeast Asia, Mandarin is taught in all Singapore schools, remains robust in Malaysia, and also shows signs of gaining popularity in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Head of Mandarin Language and Chinese Culture at University of Al Azhar Indonesia Feri Ansori told CNA’s East Asia Tonight that many Indonesian students are willing to learn the language because they believe it can benefit their businesses in future.

“China has been Indonesia’s top trading partner and a major source of investment. So, it is a very good opportunity for the Indonesian students to learn Chinese,” he said.

He added that while technology has been developing, it may not be able to translate Mandarin accurately. This is given that Mandarin is a language where the same word could have different meanings based on tone, he said.

“Learning Mandarin will be immensely helpful for anyone who wants to get ahead in their business ventures,” he said.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL3dvcmxkL21hbmRhcmluLWNoaW5lc2UtbGFuZ3VhZ2UtbmV3LXplYWxhbmQtZGVjbGluZS13ZXN0LXVuaXZlcnNpdHktYXVja2xhbmQtdW5pdmVyc2l0eS10ZWNobm9sb2d5LTQzNDkwNDbSAQA?oc=5

2024-05-20 07:32:11Z
CBMiigFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL3dvcmxkL21hbmRhcmluLWNoaW5lc2UtbGFuZ3VhZ2UtbmV3LXplYWxhbmQtZGVjbGluZS13ZXN0LXVuaXZlcnNpdHktYXVja2xhbmQtdW5pdmVyc2l0eS10ZWNobm9sb2d5LTQzNDkwNDbSAQA