CHINESE FEVER: The Engoulous learn Chinese at weekends

Born in a quiet city in south China, He Yulan's childhood memories were right out of a traditional Chinese ink and wash painting: leaves swinging in the breeze, a crystal-clear river running through the town. Then last November she moved to Cameroon.

"It is so hot and dry that vegetables are hard to grow," she said of the country's regular 50°C temperatures. Interruptions in water and electricity supplies are also frequent in Cameroon. "But I had to come," she said firmly. "Chinese teachers are needed so much here."

She volunteered to be a Chinese teacher, and now works at Maroua University, the only university in western Central Africa that offers Chinese language as a major. Chinese has become one of the most popular subjects offered in Cameroon's public universities. Overloaded with applicants, Maroua has been forced to set up an entrance exam for the program.

He is not alone in her work. At present, 17 educational volunteers and five long-term teachers are working at nine Chinese education sites in cities across Cameroon. Of the country's seven national universities, four offer Chinese classes.

Meaningful work

In a recent blog entry, Peng Luying wrote, "A volunteer must be ready to confront difficult conditions. The hardships can be a meaningful experience." She is a TCSL (teaching Chinese as a second language) graduate.

Peng took the exam for overseas TCSL volunteers last October and was selected from a slew of candidates to work in Cameroon. The 24-year-old grabbed her luggage and flew across continents quickly. It was her first job.

Now, Peng is teaching Chinese at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaoundé II. Living in another country may be tough for the young woman, but for her, teaching is a source of pleasure.

"I came to Africa solely to promote Chinese language, but my dear students made me fall in love with this continent," Peng said proudly. "Fifty-five students took the Chinese proficiency test in June, and 45 of them passed!"

Integration

Even when Cameroon's universities are closed for their summer break, the Chinese language fever does not abate. An annual Chinese summer camp is attracting more and more Africans of all ages and walks of life.

Paul Henri is only 12 years old, but he has visited China twice. Talking about the language, he said, "I just like it." This last summer was the second for him to immerse himself in Chinese studies. At the camp, his favorite class is on Chinese culture. Taiji and traditional arts like paper cutting are just some of the things he has learned.

Dong Chenyan is the taiji master in charge of instruction. "Many students are drawn to Chinese culture rather than to the language," Dong said of her class. "When I'm explaining traditional Chinese culture, they are willing to introduce Cameroon culture to me. This adds closeness."

"The teachers are very patient with students and have great abilities," said Engoulou, Paul's father and owner of a local restaurant. "We have become good friends, and I often invite them to my restaurant."

Summer vacation and festivals are considered good opportunities for Chinese education. Meanwhile, volunteers also try to promote the Confucius Institute through local media and work with the government to offer Chinese courses to public servants.

"The young volunteers have integrated into local society," said Chen Gangling, a professional Chinese teacher who has spent years in Cameroon. "Learning about a different culture enhances their understanding of interpersonal communication as well as Chinese philosophies about seeking harmony without uniformity."

(Yan Weijuan and Wang Bingy contributed to the story)