Nairobi’s Kenyatta University hosted the conclusion of an intensive three-week Mandarin instruction program on Saturday, marking another milestone in China-Kenya educational cooperation. The specialized training initiative, administered through the university’s Confucius Institute, brought together 68 Kenyan educators and advanced students pursuing Chinese language studies.
The comprehensive program, which commenced on November 17, featured a structured curriculum designed to accommodate varying proficiency levels. Participants received instruction in fundamental Mandarin communication skills, specialized terminology for professional contexts, and immersive cultural education. The virtual format enabled widespread participation from multiple educational institutions across Kenya.
Beyond linguistic training, the institute facilitated practical cultural workshops showcasing traditional Chinese arts. Participants engaged in hands-on experiences with tea ceremony preparation, ink painting techniques, and intricate paper-cutting crafts. These sessions provided tangible connections to Chinese cultural heritage beyond textbook learning.
Program coordinator Susan Wachira, who also serves as a lecturer at the institute, noted that such training initiatives have been part of their educational offerings since 2014. ‘These programs consistently demonstrate growing interest in Chinese language acquisition among Kenyan educators,’ Wachira observed. ‘They represent significant steps in building professional capacity for Mandarin instruction within Kenya’s educational system.’
The Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University continues to serve as a pivotal hub for Sino-Kenyan educational exchange, with this latest program reinforcing its role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and professional development opportunities for Kenyan language educators.