Hong Kong Dismisses Mandarin Controversy
In May, Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor dismissed a controversy over the use of Mandarin in public schools and whether Cantonese should be considered the city’s mother tongue as a “nonissue,” telling legislators...
Ghana Confident in French
Dr.Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education of Ghana, believes that French should be promoted across the country, citing a study conducted by the Foundation for International Development Study and Research which showed that if...
Court Rejects Special Status for Russian in Moldova
Last month, Moldova’s constitutional court rejected a law that would have given special status to the Russian language (Language Magazine, January 2021). The law was passed last year by the pro-Russian parliament previously led...
Confucius Launches Chinese Online Test and Programs
The Confucius Institute and XuetangX have launched a platform for students around the world who want to learn Chinese and pass the HSK proficiency tests. The courses are available at www.chinesetest.cn. Beginners can register...
Hawaiian Language Sets a Good Example
Revitalization efforts for the Hawaiian language are now being used as a model for success for other indigenous language programs. Advocates of endangered languages visited the University of Hawaii at Manoa this month for...
Dec. 18 is World Arabic Language Day
December 18 is World Arabic Language Day and this year’s theme is “Arabic Language, a bridge between civilisations.” Celebrated since 2012, World Arabic Language Day marks the anniversary of the United Nation’s 1973 adoption...
Chinese Developments
Partnership in Pakistan...
To promote Chinese language and culture in Pakistan, the Confucius Institute, the University of Karachi, and Islamabad’s Preston University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the teaching of Chinese in...
K-pop Inspires Korean Learners
For the first time ever, the No 1 album in the U.S. features lyrics sung mostly in Korean. Love Yourself: Tear by K-pop group BTS clinched the No 1 spot last month, surprising many...
Boost to Arabic Learning in UK
Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Arabic, and German are the languages the UK will need most following Brexit, according to a report released by the...
Celebrate UN French Language Day
Today, on March 20, the United Nations celebrates French Language Day.Language Days at the United Nations were introduced in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity.The United Nations celebrates six "Language Days" each year,...