Chinese Language and Culture Pedagogy at the University of Latvia

Abstract

The article gives a detailed analysis of Chinese language and culture studies at the Department of Asian Studies of the University of Latvia from the foundation of the department in 1991 and the enrolment of first students in 1993 up to the year 2023. The textis divided in six chapters: institutional history; students and graduates; local teaching staff; guest lecturers and Chinese-speaking language teachers; academic mobility; and research and international cooperation. This is the first in-depth introduction to Latvian Sinology studies in the English language, and its special value lies in the unique perspective of the author (former Sinology student and current associate professor of the Department of Asian Studies) who has witnessed and experienced nearly the entire history of the institutional development. The article combines a historical approach with biographical (at times autobiographical) descriptions, analyses of statistical data, and a personal case study.