Chinese is now the fastest-growing language learning market with over 6 million learners worldwide. According to a new report by HolonIQ, the world’s leading research and analytics platform for the education industry, this $7.4 billion market is growing annually (CAGR) by 12.1% and is expected to double in the next five years.
So, who’s learning Chinese?
Today, the Chinese language learning market is powered by China’s global diaspora which is estimated to be 60 million people strong. This includes approximately 15 million first-generation families and nearly 45 million second- and subsequent- generation families.
Most learners are school-aged children. Of the over 6 million K-12 students in the Chinese diaspora, more than half are actively studying Chinese as a second language. Compared to previous generations that sought to assimilate into their new home countries, diaspora families today are “looking to ensure their children and grandchildren stay connected to their history and culture by learning or retaining Chinese language proficiency.”
The report estimates that 2.5 million K-12 diaspora students are learning through paid tutoring. Most attend Chinese learning centers or weekend schools, but digital solutions are growing three times faster. This is primarily driven by first-generation parents who are more likely to use digital solutions like LingoAce to provide their children with more personalized instruction from a private tutor. Depending on how committed the family is to building fluency, students take between one to three or more lessons a week, ranging from 30-40 weeks to 40-50 weeks a year.
Outside of the diaspora community, an additional 2 million people are learning Chinese globally. Most are K-12 students, but there are a high number of adult learners. “Chinese is at the very early stages of achieving the recognition globally that English enjoys today. However, each year we see more diverse examples motivating countries around the world to invest in and accelerate the development of Chinese language learning within their economies.”
As an advocate for building cultural bridges, the team at LingoAce is heartened by the strong and growing interest in learning Chinese. Let’s learn together!
Read the full HolonIQ report here.
