A Chinese linguist has spent the past two months learning Kurdish in Erbil. She is preparing to teach the language in China. This effort shows the growing interest in Kurdish language studies and cultural exchange. Moreover, her experience highlights the benefits of immersive learning for mastering languages.
Xueqing Zhang, a lecturer at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), studied Kurdish in France and the UK. However, she found few Kurdish speakers there. Therefore, she traveled to Erbil and enrolled at Salahaddin University to continue learning Kurdish in Erbil in a full immersion setting.
Zhang adopted the Kurdish name Shirin, meaning “sweet,” to integrate better with students and instructors. She practices both written and spoken Kurdish daily, which improves her fluency. Additionally, she joins cultural and community activities to understand local traditions and customs.
BFSU offers Kurdish language programs that prepare students for four-year degrees. Chinese students first take a high school exam. Their results determine university placement and program selection. After enrollment, students study Kurdish for several years and often spend six months to a year in the Kurdistan Region to practice the language firsthand.
Zhang stressed that combining classroom instruction with cultural immersion is crucial. By learning Kurdish in Erbil, she gains linguistic skills and cultural knowledge. This experience will help her teach more effectively in China.
During her stay, Zhang joins lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions with local students. These sessions give her real-world opportunities to use Kurdish daily. She also plans to create teaching materials based on her immersive experience for future students.
Overall, her work in learning Kurdish in Erbil demonstrates growing collaboration between China and the Kurdistan Region in education and culture. Her journey shows how immersive learning strengthens language skills and encourages international understanding.
