language schools have been mushrooming throughout Cambodia and the
language becomes the second most popular foreign one in the country
after English.
"I observe that more and more Cambodian children flock to study
Chinese language nowadays," Chey Chab, secretary of state for the
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, said Wednesday during the
inauguration of the Beijing International Academy (BIA) in Phnom Penh.
"I see that Chinese language has been broadly used internationally now
and it looks more important, especially among business communities,"
he said.
Chab said that in Cambodia, the language has gradually been gaining
popularity as China is the country's largest investor and a leading
trade partner with Cambodia.
According to the Chinese Association in Cambodia, there are 56 Chinese
schools with more than 30,000 students throughout Cambodia. The figure
does not include local private schools that offer part- time Chinese
language courses.
Diana Liu, the BIA's director, said the BIA was the first academy in
Cambodia that offered Chinese and English programs with complete
combined programs including arts, cultures, sciences, music, dance and
martial arts.
"We are committed to building an excellent quality of Chinese and
English education in the country," she said. "Our presence here will
also help the government of Cambodia to develop human resources."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-10/05/c_131175527.htm
2011-10-05
