LASA/EANLAS: Rethinking Trans-Pacific Ties: Asia and Latin America

Teaching Latin America in China: Brazil and Mexico in Chinese university classrooms

• In Event: Cultural exchange

Abstract

In the last decades, interest in Latin America has grown in China for many reasons, but particularly due to the recent establishment and strengthening of diplomatic relationships between several countries in that region (Costa Rica, Panama, the Caribbean in general). Amongst the commercial allies of China in Latin America, Brazil and Mexico are usually found at the forefront (as part of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with other three countries of the region).
In this political and commercial climate, universities are more likely to consider that their students (particularly those specializing in Portuguese and Spanish language and culture) would benefit from specialized knowledge about countries in Latin America, not only those in the Iberic peninsula. To address the rising demand of more specialized knowledge about this region, Chinese universities have endeavoured to include or expand the content and material related to Latin America. These higher education institutions have enlisted foreign teachers so that they might complement the formation of new generations of students with first-hand knowledge on countries of great interest to China, such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, etc.
In this presentation, we will share our experiences teaching Latin America in Mainland China, either directly in specialized courses or as specific content for more general classes, all with the objective to make up for the lack of sufficient content on the subject in questions within the materials used in general education courses. Finally, we will discuss challenges and opportunities we have identified throughout our ongoing tenures.

Authors

• Victoria Gomes Pereira de Almeida, Shanghai International Studies University

• Diego Barroso, Shanghai International Studies University