2026 - Shahennews Eng

19

Chinese Language in Jordanian Schools: An Investment in the Future, Not an Alternative to Arabic

Hasan Abdullah Al-Dajah Professor of Strategic Studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Advisor to the Belt and Road Institute at Peking University Member of the World Council for Chinese Studies The announcement of a study to introduce Chinese into Jordanian schools has sparked widespread debate, ranging from support to rejection, and sometimes even resorting to ridicule through comparisons with other languages such as Hindi, Bengali, and Filipino. However, this debate calls for a calm discussion based on an understanding of international developments and Jordan’s strategic interests, far removed from emotional reactions or misconceptions. The first point to emphasize is that the call to teach Chinese does not in any way diminish the status of the Arabic language or compete with it. Arabic is the language of the Holy Quran, national identity, the constitution, and culture, and it will remain the cornerstone of the Jordanian educational system. Learning an additional foreign language does not threaten the mother tongue; rather, it enhances students’ cognitive abilities and broadens their scientific horizons, just as the teaching of English over the past decades has not led to the elimination of Arabic or weakened its official status. The world today is experiencing unprecedented geopolitical, economic, and technological transformations, and China has become one of the most influential powers in the international system. It boasts the world’s second-largest economy, the largest trading nation, and is a major economic partner for over 150 countries. China is leading massive global projects in infrastructure, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced technology. Chinese universities, research centers, and companies have also become leading producers of knowledge and innovation on an international scale. The Chinese language has transcended its role as a mere means of communication, becoming a language of science, technology, economics, and business. Today, there is a growing global demand for specialists proficient in Chinese in fields such as international trade, engineering, medicine, artificial intelligence, scientific research, diplomacy, tourism, and translation. Consequently, many developed countries have begun integrating Chinese into their educational systems, recognizing its future importance. However, comparing Chinese to other languages like Bengali, Filipino, or Hindi—while respecting and appreciating those cultures—lacks a scientific and strategic basis. The choice of languages in national curricula is not based on the number of residents within a country, but rather on the cultural, scientific, and economic weight of the country that the language represents, and its impact on the global economy and future job opportunities. This is why schools around the world teach English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese—because these languages are associated with major economic and scientific powers, not because they are the most widely spoken among resident communities. Economically, China is currently the largest trading partner for many countries worldwide, and it is also a significant economic partner for Jordan. Bilateral relations are witnessing continuous expansion in the areas of investment, energy, industry, infrastructure, higher education, and technology. Naturally, in the coming years, Jordan will need national talent proficient in Chinese to engage with Chinese companies and institutions, instead of relying on translators and foreign expertise. Furthermore, teaching Chinese opens new horizons for Jordanian students in terms of scholarships, academic exchanges, scientific research, and training at Chinese universities and institutions, which have achieved prominent positions in global rankings, particularly in the fields of engineering, medicine, applied sciences, artificial intelligence, materials science, and communications. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Chinese experience is that its renaissance was not achieved solely through natural resources, but also through investment in human capital, education, scientific research, and innovation. Over the past few decades, China has made remarkable strides in advanced technology, space exploration, high-speed rail, quantum computing, 5G and 6G communications, robotics, smart manufacturing, clean energy, and artificial intelligence, becoming a global competitor in most advanced technological sectors. Introducing Jordanian students to the Chinese language also allows them to explore a civilization spanning thousands of years, built on the values of work, discipline, education, and respect for knowledge—human values that contribute to building students’ character and enhancing their ability to understand the world’s cultural and civilizational diversity. As for those who question the priority of educational reform, this does not contradict the introduction of Chinese. Educational reform is a comprehensive process that includes curriculum development, strengthening the Arabic language, improving reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, alongside modernizing foreign language education in a way that serves the nation’s interests. There is no conflict between improving the level of Arabic and adding a new global language; in fact, the most advanced nations are those that combine pride in their national language with openness to the languages of the world. It is also important to emphasize that including the Chinese language does not mean imposing it on all students, but it can be introduced gradually as an optional language in specific schools, according to a well-thought-out national plan, with the preparation of teachers and the provision of appropriate curricula, and linking its teaching to higher education opportunities and the labor market, in order to achieve the highest levels of educational and economic benefit. True investment in the future begins with investment in knowledge. Jordan, always known for its exceptional human resources, needs to prepare a generation equipped to compete in the new global economy and capable of engaging with the world’s various centers of scientific and economic power. Therefore, teaching Chinese is not a matter of favoring one country over another, nor is it a retreat from the status of Arabic. Rather, it is a strategic decision reflecting a deep understanding of international transformations and granting Jordanians a broader opportunity to participate in the global knowledge economy. Language is not merely words to be memorized; it is a bridge to civilizations, a key to knowledge, and a tool for building the future. If we want our children to be partners in shaping the future, we must equip them with its languages and open the doors of the world to them, not close them.

Jordan News

dawood shaheen1 week ago

109

Zoho Corporation Opens Amman Office, Reaffirming Its Long-Term Commitment to Customers and Partners Across the MENA Region\

shahennews Zoho Corporation, a global technology company offering enterprise IT management and business applications, today…

Jordan News

Raniaa halawani2 weeks ago

16

Image Festival Amman 2026 Concludes with Historic First Participation of Mexico

shahennews Image Festival Amman 2026 concluded this evening with a reception at MMAG Foundation attended by renowned photographer Bob Schalkwijk, who traveled from Mexico to participate in the festival through his exhibition Tarahumara, a public lecture, and the closing ceremony. The event marked the conclusion of the festival’s 14th edition and celebrated the first-ever participation of Mexican photographers, made possible through the collaboration of the Embassy of Mexico in Jordan and Almanaque Fotográfica. Organized by Darat Al Tasweer since 2011 in partnership with numerous Jordanian and international institutions, Image Festival Amman has become one of the leading photography festivals in the Middle East and the Arab world. Each year it brings together internationally renowned photographers alongside emerging talents, creating a platform where younger generations can learn directly from established artists while fostering dialogue, professional exchange and lasting cultural cooperation. Under the theme “Behind the Scenes,” this year’s edition featured 28 exhibitions, a book launch and a series of professional workshops organized in partnership with the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation. Mexico was represented through three exhibitions by photographers from three generations, offering audiences a broad perspective on the richness and diversity of contemporary Mexican photography. Bob Schalkwijk presented Tarahumara, a remarkable visual chronicle of more than six decades documenting the Rarámuri people of northern Mexico. Yolanda Andrade —who also traveled from Mexico to participate in the festival— exhibited Life Goes On, while Persia Campbell presented Liminal Spaces, bringing a contemporary perspective shaped by life along the Mexico–United States border. Throughout the festival, Bob Schalkwijk also met with photographers, students and photography enthusiasts, sharing insights from a career spanning more than six decades. The presence of Bob Schalkwijk and Yolanda Andrade, together with Persia Campbell’s exhibition, offered Jordanian audiences an unprecedented opportunity to discover three distinct voices spanning three generations of Mexican photography. Speaking during the closing reception, Ambassador Jacob Prado highlighted the significance of Mexico’s participation, noting that it reflects the growing cultural relationship between Mexico and Jordan and demonstrates the richness and diversity of Mexican photography across generations. The Embassy of Mexico expresses its gratitude to Image Festival Amman, Darat Al Tasweer and Almanaque Fotográfica, the participating artists and everyone who contributed to making Mexico’s first participation in the festival a memorable success and the beginning of future cultural collaborations.

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