Namibian boy shows delight of language

Porterico Van Wyk, a 13-year-old Namibian boy, has been teaching other youngsters how to speak Chinese, giving free hourlong training sessions to them on Saturdays and Sundays at home in Rehoboth, a town in central Namibia, 90 kilometers south of the capital, Windhoek.

The boy started learning Chinese through a few friends and later online.

"I have interest in Chinese culture. The language and the customs attracted me," says Porterico, who also speaks Afrikaans and English and is proud to share what he knows with other youngsters. "Learning a new language is one of the absolute best investments that anyone can make."

He picked up Chinese due to the great relationship between the two countries and the rapid growth of China, he says, adding that he has many like-minded friends.

"There is an increase in those who are eager to learn the Chinese language. I started off with only one student, but now I have five," he says.

He says he is happy that his parents allowed him to do what he loves. Besides teaching, he has his own school work and daily household chores to do, so he is happy to just have "five students".

"I am pleased to share what I know with others," he says.

According to Zhang Fan, director of the Confucius Institute in the University of Namibia, Chinese lessons were introduced to Namibia in 2013. The rising demand to learn the Chinese language in Namibia has helped the institution to grow bigger. The institute now has 15 Chinese teaching sites in the country and has taught more than 5,600 students.

"The number of Namibians who are interested in learning Chinese is increasing annually. We have more schools in Namibia teaching the Chinese language, in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Rundu and Ongwediva," Zhang says.

The director says many Namibians have a passion for learning, as many believe in the potential of the Chinese language as a tool to improve international communication and provide more opportunities for them.

"To many Namibian students, learning Chinese means more educational opportunities," he says, adding that China gives scholarships to the best Namibian students to go and study in China.

Zhang now teaches online, due to the social distancing rules put to place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When it comes to learning Chinese online, classes may not be as effective as face-to-face lessons," he says, adding that constant practice is the key to success in learning a language.

Xinhua