The Development and Recent Changes in Chinese Language Education in Mauritius——A Case Study of Xinhua School
Main Article Content
Keywords
Mauritius, Xinhua School, development of Chinese schools, Chinese language education community
Abstract
With over a century of history, the Mauritius Xinhua School stands as a microcosm of Chinese language education in Africa, witnessing its evolution throughout the decades. Analyzing the school’s history and current status provides insights for advancing Chinese language education among overseas Chinese communities in Africa. Initially operating in the Hakka dialect, the school reached its peak during the 1930s and 1940s amid global conflicts and China’s national rejuvenation efforts. From the 1950s to the 1970s, however, its decline occurred as overseas Chinese shifted from returning to their ancestral roots to establishing new communities. With the growing economic significance of Chinese language proficiency, the school experienced a gradual revival after the 1970s. Today, facing challenges such as scarce educational resources, building a “Chinese Language Education Community” has become a crucial pathway for the development of these century-old institutions.
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