Confucius Institute Struggles to Gain Traction in Nepal

Efforts by China to promote Chinese language, art, and culture through the Confucius Institute in Nepal have hit roadblocks, signaling a lack of progress in their mission.

The Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University recently organized a workshop on the “Problems & Prospects of Teaching Chinese in Nepal.” This workshop follows a similar event held in December 2023, aimed at addressing the challenges faced in promoting the Chinese language within Nepal.

China has been investing resources in various avenues to promote Chinese language education, including collaboration with the Centre for Language Education & Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of China and the Beijing International Chinese College. However, despite these efforts, China has struggled to achieve its desired outcomes due to the reluctance of Nepalese students to learn Chinese.

One significant factor contributing to the dominance of other languages, particularly Hindi, in Nepal is the cultural and economic ties with India. With around 40 lakh Nepalese residing and working in India, Hindi has emerged as a connecting language. The popularity of Indian TV serials, movies, songs, and cartoons among Nepalis has also led to the widespread adoption of Hindi, often learned informally through media consumption.

In the Madhes region, where familial and daily life connections with India are strong, Hindi has become the primary language spoken by almost every citizen. These cultural and linguistic ties with India have overshadowed efforts to promote Chinese language learning in Nepal.

The inauguration of the second Confucius Institute in Nepal at Kathmandu University in August 2022 was hailed as a step towards enhancing cultural and educational exchanges between China and Nepal. However, despite initial enthusiasm, the institute faced a two-year hiatus from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stalling its progress.

Despite these efforts, the Confucius Institute in Nepal continues to face challenges in attracting learners and making a significant impact on Chinese language education in the country. While the institute aims to serve as a platform for cultural exchange and bilateral cooperation, its success hinges on addressing the underlying factors influencing language preferences among Nepalese citizens.