Chapter 19
Developments and Challenges
In: Handbook of Chinese Migration to EuropeSearch for other papers by Minghuan Li in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Hanli Bao in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
By the end of the 2010s, there were more than five hundred Chinese weekend schools (CWS) in different parts of Europe, with a total enrolment of more than eighty thousand pupils. These CWS are set up by Chinese migrants and are typically intended for the locally-born descendants of Chinese migrants. We provide an overview of the century-long evolution of CWS in Europe, analysing their establishment and management strategies in four stages. Our investigation then addresses important questions surrounding the origin, growth, characteristics, and challenges faced by CWS. Theoretical discussions will revolve around the social implications of CWS in Europe, viewed through the lens of language loyalty. Are all efforts to inherit mother tongue a manifestation of Chinese language loyalty? How can we objectively evaluate the efforts of immigrants to pass on their mother tongue to their locally-born children? We also discuss whether Chinese language learning has affected the pupils’ perception of their ethnicity and connection to China, and why. In so doing, we expect to enrich the existing theoretical discourse on language loyalty through the case study of CWS in Europe.