Almaty:Chinese is becoming an integral part of daily life in Central Asia, with language instructions available at places like light-rail stations and restaurants offering menus in Chinese. This shift reflects a rising interest in learning Chinese across the region.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Confucius Institute at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty is a hub for Chinese language education. Students, including 26-year-old Aiym Naurzbayeva, attend evening classes to improve their language skills, motivated by the opportunities that proficiency in Chinese can provide. Naurzbayeva, who works with Chinese business partners, plans to further her studies in China.
The Confucius Institute, established with Lanzhou University, serves as a center for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) test, catering to over 2,000 test takers annually. Interest in Chinese language learning is mirrored in Tajikistan, where the Confucius Institute at Tajik National University enrolls over 1,000 students per session, despite higher applicant numbers.
Beyond these institutes, private language schools and tutoring are gaining traction in cities like Astana, where 136 Chinese-language training institutions were listed on a local platform. The "Laoshi" Educational Center in Almaty offers customized courses incorporating local culture, reflecting the growing demand for Chinese language skills due to strengthened economic ties between Kazakhstan and China.
Private tutoring also sees rising demand, with tutors like Roza, a Confucius Institute graduate, teaching Chinese to teenagers. The language serves as a gateway to understanding Chinese culture and accessing new opportunities.
For students like Baikazak Sultanbekov in Kyrgyzstan, recent visa-free policies have made travel to China more accessible, enhancing the appeal of learning Chinese. Similarly, Muslima from Uzbekistan, inspired by a trip to Xi'an, is keen to explore more of China.
Gulnar Shaimergenova, director of the China Studies Center in Astana, notes that China's advancements in high-tech industries are driving demand for bilingual talent, further fueling interest in Chinese language education in the region. Chinese is increasingly seen as a bridge connecting cultures and opportunities in Central Asia.