Perceptions, Challenges, and Opportunities of Chinese Language Learning in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan: Exploring the Role of CPEC

Abstract

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and Confucius Institutes in Pakistan encourage Chinese language (CL) learning for education, jobs, and other activities. The study explores CL learners’ attitudes, obstacles, and motivations in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan, and the CPEC’s role in promoting CL education. The research uses a mixed-methods approach to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. The data collection comprised a 5-point Likert scale study with 19 closed-ended and two open-ended questions. Results suggest that both provinces’ students favor CL learning. However, the Mann–Whitney U test indicates Sindh learners’ perspectives, and motivations differ significantly. They generally support CL learning but express concerns about their local language and culture, leading to resistance against foreign language influence in their province. The study illuminates’ student attitudes, obstacles, and motivations in Punjab and Sindh CL learning. The research also explores the potential impact of CPEC on CL education and identifies postproficiency opportunities for learners. These findings influence educational policymakers, language educators, and stakeholders in Pakistan to encourage CL learning. Ultimately, the research is aimed at enhancing CL education in Pakistan, enabling learners to benefit from language proficiency in the context of growing socioeconomic ties between Pakistan and China.

Beliefs about Difficulties in Learning Chinese as a Foreign Language in a Public Sector University

“…The present study focused on the beliefs about difficulties that learners face while acquiring CFL while Aftab et al (2022) focused on the aptitude of learners and Khan et al (2022) focused on the language policy and motivation of learners while learning CFL. Similarly, Iftikhar et al (2024) focused on the attitudes, problems and motivation of CL in Sindh and Punjab.…”

“…Hence, the present study aims to explore the beliefs of learners about difficulties in learning CFL with a specific focus on language skills. Similarly, Iftikhar et al (2024) conducted a mixed method study on the perceptions of Chines learners in the Confucius institutes in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. The result reported the increase in learning and promotion of Chinese due to the impact of CPEC in form of jib opportunities.…”

Native Chinese Language Teachers’ Beliefs about Teaching Chinese Abroad

“…Literature on beliefs about foreign languages in Pakistan shows that most of the work has been conducted on English or regional languages (Akhtar & Kausar, 2011;Aziz & Qureshi, 2017;Badshah et al, 2015;Kausar, 2012). Keeping in mind the recent linguistic progress of Chinese in Pakistan, few researchers have explored the domain of Chinese as a foreign language learning in the local context from learners' perspectives (Aftab et al, 2022;Ali et al, 2023;Ameen and Khemlani, 2022;Iftikhar et al, 2024;Liu et al, 2022) However, there is no existing local literature that focuses on the beliefs of CFL teachers. The current study can be a gateway for the research work from teachers' viewpoint by providing an insight into the beliefs of Chinese teachers regarding Chinese teaching as a foreign language to undergraduates in Pakistan.…”

“…There is ample research relative to Chinese as a foreign language conducted in different parts of the world (Chan et al, 2022;Cui, 2014;Le, 2004;Yang, 2015;Ye, 2011). In Pakistan, there is a recent uplift in research related to Chinese as a foreign language domain (Aftab et al, 2022;Ali et al, 2023;Ameen and Khemlani, 2022;Iftikhar et al, 2024;Liu et al, 2022) due to the rapid expansion of Chinese investment and economic opportunities in the country. Universities and local language learning institutions across Pakistan have initiated different Chinese language learning courses and hired local as well as native Chinese speakers as teachers to teach Chinese.…”