A Review of Chinese Language Teaching in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Chines, is one of the most popularly studied languages in 21st century. It is becoming Esperanto around the world today. According to the survey, more than 100 million people all over the world are learning Chinese. The long-standing bond between Sri Lanka and China led both countries to cooperate tightly. According to incomplete statistics, from 2012 to 2016, Confucius Institute at University of Kelaniya has totally cultivated 1,576 academic diplomas students and 30,000 non-academic diploma students, which includ 12,500 weekend certificate class students and 16,900 teaching points students. Learning Chinese as a foreign language has becom a fashion among the young generations in Sri Lanka. In recent years, the requirement for Chinese teachers have increased. The number of local Chinese teachers is also increasing rapidly. However, there are problems such as some of the required course provision is not reasonable and it needs to be adjusted. Aim of this research is to identify history and development of teaching and learning Chinese as a foreign language, factors affecting the development of teaching and learning Chinese as a foreign language among Sri Lankan students. In addition, this study will also suggest feasible solutions to establish teaching Chinese as a second language in Sri Lanka. By using literature review, methodology data collection and previous literature researches done by local and foreign scholars in the latest 10 years, summing up in the recent 10 years‟ achievement, which the researchers have done on the topic of Chinese teaching. Chinese language teaching methods as well as the history and development of Chinese language in Sri Lankan colleges and the universities were analysed to find the present situation of the Chinese teaching and curriculum setting in Sri Lanka. This research will help the experts, scholars and Chinese language teachers to understand the history and development of Chinese language teaching in Sri Lanka.