Zhongguoren xuexi Yidaliyu de zhuangkuang. The Chinese and the Challenge of Learning Italian

The study of foreign languages in China has not been one of the most important subjects in traditional Chinese education system for centuries, nor have foreign languages been among the most common knowledge to be achieved. Until the 19th century, mainly native biligual speakers and some petty interpreters in Guangzhou knew foreign languages and employed their knowledge at a very practical level. Except for Latin, which had been studied by a tiny number of literati with the Jesuits during the Ming dynasty, the first foreign languages to be studied methodically were English, French, German and later Japanese. For these languages teaching materials were published quite immediately; occasions for Chinese students to go to England, USA, France and Japan consequently grew more and more frequent. The study of the Italian language and the travels to Italy for studying reasons on the contrary have been minor until recently: teaching materials have become abundant only in the last ten years, as well as relationships between China and Italy for increasing studying experiences to Italy have been more solidly established only in the last five years. This contribution has the scope of providing an overview of the places in China and Italy where Italian is taught, of the teaching materials adopted and the official and unofficial programs launched to promote the study of the Italian language among the Chinese.