Chinese Lesson in Charles Ⅲ Middle School of Monaco

Chinese Lesson in Charles Ⅲ Middle School of Monaco

Except Vatican, Monaco is the smallest nation all over the world but enjoys a remarkable reputation. Luxurious yachts, Princess Grace Kelly, Monte Carlo Station of F1 and well-known casinos make this small place an international tourist resort. In February 2014, China Today Arts Week sponsored by CFLAC in Monaco became a cultural feast of Chinese culture for local residents. As a Chinese reporter, I gained the vivid experience of Chinese fashion in this magic place.  

In the street, railway station or buses in Monaco, lots of friendly people would greet me with “hello” in blurred mandarin pronunciation, and at that moment, I suddenly realized that Chinese has become an international language.  

On our second day in Monaco, we had an interview with Madame Catherine Fautrier, ambassador of Monaco to China, who was busy with preparations for the Arts Week. As she introduced, Chinese fashion has witnessed an increasing popularity in Monaco in recent years thanks to China’s rapid development, and the elder son of hers is learning Chinese as well. “In my opinion, Monaco might be one of the few countries in Europe that involve Chinese into the national education system” she said.  

Joël Bellassen, chief supervisor of Chinese learning in the French Ministry of Education and doctoral tutor, confirmed the ambassador’s statement. During the Arts Week, Mr. Bellassen gave a special lecture concerning Chinese cuisine culture. With his fluent mandarin, he commented that besides Chinese delicious food Chinese language learning is gradually gaining popularity in Monaco. As early as a few years ago, students in public school of Monaco are entitled to choose Chinese as second foreign language from their grade one in the junior middle school till grade three with three hours per week. Chinese is also included into the general examination system of senior middle school.  

In Monaco, besides learning Chinese in schools and universities, citizens are able to learn Chinese by attending the spare-time class sponsored by Monaco-China Association, and the attendees’ ages range from 6 to more than 60. According to Ms. Wang Xiaoqin, vice president of Monaco-China Association and mandarin teacher, many of local citizens has taken the initiative to learn Chinese ever since the class was officially open in 2007. With a grasp in Chinese language, the attendees began to take interest in Chinese culture and therefore classes of Chinese calligraphy and Taichi boxing were later added.  

Though there is no Confucius Institute or Confucius Classroom so far in Monaco, there is one thing in particular to mention that Chinese Teaching Association of France submitted application to the Headquarters of Confucius Institute for timely organizing HSK Examination (Chinese language level) in the designated part as the number and enthusiasm of those who keep learning Chinese are increasing unceasingly. In 2012 and 2013, with the approval from the Headquarters in China, two HSK Examinations were held consecutively and the number of applicants amounted to approximately 200. The session of 2014 is still in the preparation but the number is expected to be a new record.  

Besides China’s rise in the international arena and Chinese culture’s attraction for foreigners, there are still two following reasons for such a strong Chinese fashion in Monaco. First of all, Monaco is next to France and the two countries enjoy a traditional friendship. In the fields of culture and education, Monaco’s policy making will more or less be influenced by its French counterpart. In recent years, with the increasing importance French educational administration attaches to Chinese teaching, Chinese dissemination is now on the fast track in France. In this case, the educational administration in the Principality of Monaco follows the same way. Secondly, more and more people who lived and worked in Monaco come to realize that learning Chinese is exceedingly important as it means more opportunities of employment against the background of severe situation of unemployment in Europe. As is well-known, tourism and gambling are two pillar industries in Monaco. Recently, more and more Chinese people became tourists and VIP members in yahting clubs and grand casinos in Monaco.  

Though English can almost ensure basic communications, the capability of speaking mother tongue will make those Chinese people feel closer at heart. In a yachting club at Monaco, we are surprised to find that a native girl of Shanghai has been recruited into the marketing of China in order to further expand Asian market based on China. This girl even proudly declared that she is the very first Chinese employee in this club in its history of over 60 years. As a time-honored organization in the global sailing and navigation circle, this club, far beyond the local limitation, has over 1300 members from scores of countries and Albert Ⅱ, state of the Principality as chair. At the end of last year, the Bund Yachting Club of Shanghai was admitted into the “Destination of Super Yachting” and became the second Asian member of this international luxury yachting network.  

During our stay in Monaco, we are fortunate to attend a Chinese lesson in the Middle School of Charles Ⅲ. As a public school in Monaco, this middle school has more than 1000 students in total. In that lesson, there were a dozen of students of Grade Two and a woman teacher surnamed Su from Taiwan. With only one year’s learning of Chinese, those students succeeded in simple conversation in Chinese. The textbook was compiled by Ms Su herself. Through their practice of telephone calls, we could obviously see that the students did have certain knowledge of Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and CCTV in China. According to Ms Su, those kids were actually influenced by their parents who either had a crush over Chinese culture or had communications with Chinese people in business, and therefore consider it necessary for their kids to learn Chinese. As the chancellor of this school stresses on Chinese teaching and encourages teachers to make innovation to attract students’ interest, most of the students will naturally have a liking on learning Chinese after a semester’s effort. We also noticed that hot issues such as “Smog in China” and “Naked Wedding” are involved in the group discussion for active participation, and those youngsters gave a satisfactory feedback. In the intervals, they even told us their Chinese name and expressed their wish to have a look at China in the future.