‎
By Henry Obetta

To revolutionise Chinese language education across Africa, the Hunan Normal University’s Department of Chinese International Education has launched the “dual-teacher classroom” model that combines online instruction from China with local support in Nigerian institutions.

‎The China-Africa Dual-Teacher Classroom International Chinese Education Project was officially launched on June 15 when representatives from Hunan Normal University’s Department of Chinese International Education and Nigeria’s Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center signed an agreement at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council.

‎The signing ceremony included Chen Hui and Zhao Libo from Hunan Normal University’s School of Liberal Arts, along with Li Zhensheng, Biltom Tan, and Suri Su from Nigeria’s Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center, marking the beginning of what officials hope will become a transformative educational partnership across the continent.

The Director of Hunan Normal University’s Department of Chinese International Education, ‎Professor Chen Hui and Chairman of the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center, Li Zhensheng formalised the partnership which aims to inject new momentum into cultural exchanges and Chinese education cooperation between the two regions.

‎According to Li Zhensheng, the initiative seems to tackle a growing challenge across Africa and a surging demand for Chinese language education coupled with a severe shortage of qualified instructors.
In Nigeria, universities and Chinese-funded enterprises are experiencing unprecedented interest in Mandarin learning, but lack the teaching resources to meet this demand effectively.

‎Speaking on the initiative, Li Zhensheng said: “There is a strong demand for Chinese learning in Nigerian universities and enterprises, but there is a serious shortage of teachers. The dual-teacher classroom not only fills this gap, but also achieves a deep integration of language teaching and cultural understanding through the collaboration of Chinese and foreign teachers.

‎”The hybrid model pairs Chinese educators and students from Hunan Normal University, who provide online instruction, with Nigerian teachers who manage classroom activities and provide local cultural context. This approach leverages the strengths of both educational systems while addressing practical challenges on both sides.”

‎On the benefits for students and educators, Professor Chen Hui explained that the programme serves dual purposes: meeting Africa’s growing appetite for Chinese language skills while providing practical teaching experience for Chinese students pursuing International Chinese Education degrees.

Hui further stated that many of the students previously lacked overseas teaching opportunities, limiting their professional development.

‎”This model not only meets the urgent need for Chinese learning among Nigerian college students and employees of Chinese-funded enterprises, but also provides a high-quality practical platform for our undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students,” Professor Chen Hui noted.

‎Hunan Normal University’s Department of Chinese International Education has already demonstrated the model’s effectiveness through successful partnerships with Chinese schools in Vietnam.

he programme’s combination of “professional empowerment and cultural empathy” has earned recognition from overseas partners, providing a foundation for expansion into African markets.

‎The Nigeria initiative represents a strategic response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the development of a “China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” Initial implementation will target several institutions, including the University of Lagos, along with Chinese-funded enterprises operating in Nigeria.
‎