Feature: Interest in learning Chinese on rise in Argentina

Interest in learning Chinese, touted as the "language of the future," is on the rise in Argentina, especially among bank workers, foreign trade experts as well as children and teenagers.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is sponsoring a Chinese language course through its foundation, which has attracted students from a wide variety of backgrounds since it opened in May in the capital Buenos Aires.

Professor Federico Youtchak who studied in China, has been teaching Chinese in Argentina for four years.

"In this class I see professionals, and also people who want to learn out of practical purpose or out of curiosity," he said.

China's growing prominence in international trade has increased interest in expanding trade ties with the Asian country, which in turn has sparked greater interest in learning about China and its language, said Yesica Rossi, the ICBC foundation's head of outreach.

"ICBC offers this course as an additional tool in training foreign trade specialists," said Rossi.

"Argentina and China have not only been strengthening trade ties, but also ties in areas of culture and arts, opening the door to other experiences," Youtchack noted.

The Chinese course is made up of four modules, beginning with an introduction to China's history and geography, and an overview of the language and its evolution.

The second module covers the Chinese phonetic system; the third, grammar and basic vocabulary; and the fourth, writing Chinese characters.

"Knowing the language and culture would be an advantage in my future. The Chinese language is completely different and generates curiosity, I like it," student Ivan Reinada, who previously studied foreign trade.

"I started studying Chinese out of interest, and I also teach my child Chinese twice a week," Naike Link, another student who has been working at a bank for three years and is also a fashion designer.

Like Link, many parents in Argentina are interested in having their children learn Chinese, spurring the fast growth of the first Chinese-Spanish bilingual public school in the capital.

Since opening in March 2014, the number of students has doubled from 50 to 100, and the goal is to enroll 400.

Half of the students come from emigrated Chinese families, and the remainder are from Argentine families that want their children to have a competitive edge in the labor market.

Bilingual education will cultivate bi-cultural talents and will eventually promote interchange between the two countries, said Carlos Regazzoni, who manages the new program at the city's educational bureau. Endi