Why is Slovakia's next generation learning Mandarin from a young age?

For a growing number of students in Slovakia, Mandarin is no longer a language reserved to be left for when you get to university. One high school has been teaching Mandarin for a decade, and a new generation of pupils is learning it outside the classroom.

In Banska Bystrica, Anna Marina Vidova's interest in China began with a book.

At nine, she discovered Chinese culture and history. It sparked a passion that has shaped her education.

"I read about Chinese culture and history, and I really like history, so I gave it a try," she says.

Now in her fifth year at the Mikulas Kovac High School, Vidova is part of a bilingual program launched in 2016. Participating students spend five years studying Mandarin as part of their regular education.

She hopes to continue her further studies in China.

Key to future bilateral ties

"I'm actually planning to apply to China for university. So I'm studying hard right now," says Vidova.

She wants to study international relations, and sees communication between China and Europe as key to their future ties.

"I believe the relations between China and the European Union are very important to us, the European Union has a lot to offer to China as well," explains Vidova. "So I believe mutual communication and trade economics is very important for both sides."

At school, Chinese learning extends beyond Mandarin language lessons, with students learning subjects such as mathematics, geography and history in Chinese.

"From the second grade, they begin to learn mathematics, physics, biology, geography and chemistry, partly in Chinese and partly in Slovak language," says Jan Durica, a Chinese language teacher, explaining the approach.

For Vidova, the program offers a way to understand China and its people.

"I can understand how Chinese people think," she says. 

For graduates like Michaela Cholva­dova, Mandarin can also open doors to work. The university student sees opportunities in business ties between Slovakia and China.

"There are many work opportunities I'm looking forward to, perhaps China signing some contracts with Slovakia," hopes Cholva­dova.

Early exposure

These Chinese learning initiatives are reaching Slovak children too.

In Bratislava, Moli Chinese Studio introduces Mandarin through play, where children listen to Chinese teachers and learn words through activities.

Natalia Turchin, the studio's co-founder, said the approach helps children get exposure to the language from an early age.

"We have a Chinese teacher who is here with them, playing with them in Chinese. So they hear Chinese language [regularly]," explains Turchin.

For some of the youngest students, China is already on the list of places they want to see.

Asked if they want to visit the country and see the Great Wall, the children responded with an enthusiastic "yes!"

From high school classrooms to children's playrooms, Mandarin is becoming part of the education of a new generation in Slovakia.