Examining Gender Dimensions in Mandarin Language Learning at Bayero University, Kano

Gender dimensions in language learning are shaped by social norms, familial expectations, and perceived vocational value, all of which take distinctive forms in the North West Nigerian context of Bayero University Kano. This study examines gendered patterns in Mandarin language learning, focusing on enrolment trends, classroom engagement, learning performance, and post-graduation pathways. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining longitudinal enrolment data from the Department of Languages and Cultures from 2018 to 2023 with questionnaires administered to 110 current Mandarin students and interviews with eight faculty members. Enrolment data reveal that female students account for 48 percent of Mandarin enrolments, a notable figure given that the North West region has the country's lowest female tertiary enrolment rates overall. Female students demonstrate marginally higher performance in written assessments, while male students perform slightly better in oral examinations. Career motivations differ by gender, with male students more frequently citing business and trade opportunities, while female students more often indicate interest in diplomatic and educational careers. Family support for Mandarin study is stronger among male respondents. The study concludes that Mandarin learning at Bayero University demonstrates surprisingly balanced gender participation, attributable in part to scholarship incentives that lower the opportunity cost for female learners. Targeted female leadership mentorship in Chinese Studies is recommended to sustain and extend this progress in the North West zone.

Keywords: gender and language learning, Mandarin, Bayero University Kano, North West Nigeria, Chinese Studies