My Chinese Life Started from Chinese Language

Masule Gracious Tshepiso/Botswana

Chinese Department, Botswana University, Lecturer

I wanted to be a teacher in computer department quietly, but I was fascinated by Chinese and started my Chinese life.

In March 2017, I became a Chinese teacher of the Chinese Department in Botswana University. I had to give lectures to 4 classes. But I told myself, “I love Chinese, and I love teaching students how to learn Chinese, so I do not feel tired but very happy.”

In 2009, when I graduated from the computer department of Botswana University, I left school as an assistant. If I follow the normal road, I will become a teacher and even a professor in the computer department. The establishment of Confucius Institute became the turning point.

In those days, Confucius Institute officially began recruiting and training Chinese in Botswana, and the teaching site was set up at Botswana University, where Chinese was taught every night. I took a try to sign up for the training class. At that time, I had several Chinese friends. I wanted to have deeper communication with them and their families, so I tried to learn Chinese and see what level I could learn.

It was this attempt that I found that my language talent was surprisingly good. Less than half a year after studying at Confucius Institute, teachers said that my pronunciation was accurate and I have mastered Chinese very quickly. By the end of the semester, China’s ambassador to Botswana came to give us certificates, which made me feel the China government friendly. “In this way, I fell in love with Chinese. I want to go to China and learn Chinese better.” In 2011, I applied for a scholarship to study for a master’s degree in computer science at Hunan University.

I called Hunan in China my second hometown. In Hunan, I spent the most busy three years and made the foundation for the future career.

When I was studying in Hunan, I was busy learning computer courses, while insisting on learning Chinese. With the language environment, it was like a fish in the water.

My Chinese learning level has improved by leaps and bounds. In 2013, I passed HSK5 (the highest level is 6). At this time, I was preparing the computer master’s degree thesis writing, but to take out a qualified paper needs to invest a lot of time and energy. I realized that fish and bear’s paws can’t be both, and with the mastery of Chinese and the growing interest in Chinese, I have gradually identified the direction of my career — to become a Chinese teacher.

I finally gave up the study of computer science, that is, I stopped the already formed road of becoming a computer department lecturer. He was admitted to Shanghai Normal University in 2014 and studied for a master’s degree in Chinese international education. He worked hard to become a professional Chinese teacher and graduated successfully in July 2016.

I am very grateful for my gift of language, unremitting study and clear and firm direction, which give me a pair of invisible wings inserted in this talent, so that I can finally realize my ideal.

What’s more, this ideal already has the soil which can take root and sprout. Botswana University, which has many cooperation projects with China, established the Department of Chinese in 2011. It needs Chinese teachers very much. I chose Chinese teaching at this time. It can be said that it was just in time and also caught up with the best period of Sino African friendship.

I feel a lot about my fate with China. When I was in primary school, there were Chinese people building a middle school for us near my home. At that time, I wanted to understand what they said. I didn’t expect that the Chinese government would give me such an opportunity many years later. I really appreciate China.

When I returned from Botswana to learn from China, I regarded myself as the bridge erection of Sino Bo relations. I often served as a host of activities such as Confucius Institute activities, cultural activities in China and other places. I also actively participated in relevant research activities such as Sino Bo relations. In my life, Chinese friends did not understand the communication with Chinese people and often turned to him. I hope that through myself, more people in Botswana will understand Botswana. China has also enabled more Chinese people to understand Botswana and enhance mutual understanding.

Learning Chinese enabled me to have a happy and wonderful life. In the next three to five years, I plan to go to China to study for a doctor’s degree, so as to make the road of Chinese teaching steady and firm. We really want to cherish the opportunity to study in China. We can really learn a lot.