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Saudi Arabia to include Chinese language in educational curriculum
alarabiya.net ^ | 22FEB19 | Staff writer, Al Arabiya English

Posted on 02/24/2019 3:38:35 PM PST by vannrox

Saudi Arabia has decided to include the Chinese language in the curriculum at all stages of education in Saudi schools and universities.

The agreement was finalized during Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to China.

It is aimed at strengthening friendship and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China, and deepening the strategic partnership at all levels, according to Saudi Press Agency.

The inclusion of the Chinese language in the curriculum will enhance the cultural diversity of students in the Kingdom and contribute to the achievement of future national goals in the field of education under Vision 2030, reported SPA.

It is an important step toward opening new academic horizons for students of various educational levels in the Kingdom. Learning Chinese as a bridge between the two peoples will contribute to increasing trade and cultural ties.

On Thursday, the kingdom’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, had announced the “Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China.” SHOW MORE

Last Update: Friday, 22 February 2019 KSA 19:43 - GMT 16:43


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: chat; china; chinese; education; english; harveynicholsriyad; reemabintbandar; saudi; saudiarabia; yibreen

1 posted on 02/24/2019 3:38:35 PM PST by vannrox
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To: vannrox
I'm so old that nobody gets my KD Lang references anymore.


2 posted on 02/24/2019 3:40:38 PM PST by SamAdams76
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To: vannrox

The immediate assumption is that this would be a requirement in the curriculum. But most likely an optional course. We teach a lot of foreign language here as an option.

Now if it a requirement, then they just lost...…………..


3 posted on 02/24/2019 3:48:50 PM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: vannrox

Strangely the Duolingo app Spanish lessons refer only to the US, Spain, Mexico Cuba and China. “He is from China”, etc.

I presume it’s the same for other languages on the app. I thought it was odd that China was included!


4 posted on 02/24/2019 3:49:20 PM PST by Moonmad27
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To: Moonmad27

A waste of time.


5 posted on 02/24/2019 3:51:18 PM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

China could be their #1 customer. Then they could guard the Persian Gulf.


6 posted on 02/24/2019 3:52:32 PM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

Not really joking there, yes?


7 posted on 02/24/2019 3:55:29 PM PST by cba123 ( Toi la nguoi My. Toi bay gio o Viet Nam.)
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To: vannrox

China can be or is a major market for their petroleum products


8 posted on 02/24/2019 3:56:12 PM PST by mosesdapoet (mosesdapoet aka L,J,Keslin posting here for the record)
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To: vannrox

Most Chinese businessmen already speak English, so what’s the point?

Besides do you learn Mandarin or Cantonese?


9 posted on 02/24/2019 3:57:15 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: vannrox

Not to be outdone by sand rats, the US will begin the mandatory inclusion of Ebonics ...


10 posted on 02/24/2019 3:57:44 PM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: dfwgator

Yes, because I do business in China. Pragmatic choice by the Saudis (I do business there too).


11 posted on 02/24/2019 4:00:16 PM PST by dinodino
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To: dfwgator

Sorry, I just got your point. Mandarin for sure. Apologies for missing the point.


12 posted on 02/24/2019 4:01:17 PM PST by dinodino
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To: SamAdams76

I remember KD Lang. She sang with Tony Bennett on at least one album. She had a good voice and is Canadian. What really gave her newsworthiness at that time (1990’s) was her proclaimed Lesbianism. Is that KD in the photo?
I thought that was Liberace’s portly younger brother.


13 posted on 02/24/2019 4:08:31 PM PST by lee martell
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To: vannrox

Didn’t we give SA lots of weaponary tech? Looks like they will be bedding down with China.. what could possibly go wromg.


14 posted on 02/24/2019 4:09:51 PM PST by momincombatboots (Do you know anyone who isnÂ’t a socialist after 65? Freedom exchanged for cash.)
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To: dinodino

Most Chinese businessmen already speak English, so what’s the point?

Besides do you learn Mandarin or Cantonese?


Mandarin of course. And besides, it’s not all that hard to learn to speak. Reading and writing are something else. It’s just really different and the tones are frustrating.

Oil is used for other things other than fuel. All plastics are made out of oil. That includes such things as nylons and rayon clothing.

The Chinese are establishing solid trade frame works with Africa and the middle east. They do not view the world as geopolitical nation entities, but rather as a global society with clusters of communities dominated by regional societal norms. By embracing this world-view, they are poised for a strong position in the next ten to 300 years.


15 posted on 02/24/2019 4:27:48 PM PST by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
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To: vannrox

I get it. I can read and write limited Simplified Chinese and can speak more.


16 posted on 02/24/2019 4:34:51 PM PST by dinodino
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To: vannrox

1 from column A two from column B. No exceptions.


17 posted on 02/24/2019 5:45:24 PM PST by Don Corleone (Nothing makes the delusional more furious than truth.)
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To: SamAdams76

[I’m so old that nobody gets my KD Lang references anymore. ]


She used to be so skinny. For a minute, I thought that was someone else.


18 posted on 02/24/2019 6:58:10 PM PST by Zhang Fei (My dad had a Delta 88. That was a car. It was like driving your living room.)
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To: momincombatboots

Hard to really blame them when China cares not if the Saudis take care of their trash in Turkey and the hue and cry from the USA is deafening.


19 posted on 02/25/2019 5:18:27 AM PST by VietVet876
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