Examining the Development of Undergraduate Chinese Language Teacher Education at Kenyan Universities: A Case Study of the University of Nairobi

Abstract

The integration of the Chinese language into Kenya’s national education system, particularly its inclusion in primary and secondary school curricula, has led to a significant increase in demand for qualified Chinese language teachers. Meeting this demand requires the systematic development of locally trained professionals who are equipped to teach Chinese as a foreign language. In response to this need, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Confucius Institute, and the School of Education at the University of Nairobi launched Kenya’s first undergraduate program in Chinese language teacher education in 2023. This interdisciplinary program combines intensive Chinese language instruction with pedagogical training in line with national teacher certification standards, with the aim of supplying well-qualified Chinese language teachers for Kenya’s secondary education sector. This study employs the University of Nairobi’s undergraduate program in Chinese teacher education as a case study to critically examine its foundational prerequisites, interdisciplinary design strategies (the integration of Chinese language studies and education), and mechanisms for enhancing program quality. The research provides evidence-based insights and a replicable framework for other Kenyan higher education institutions seeking to establish or refine similar Chinese language education programs.