The Dissemination and influence of Paulo Freire's educational philosophy in China

Abstract

In the 1980s, a Chinese scholar pursuing overseas studies in Chile was attracted to Paulo Freire's educational philosophy when reading his works through graduate courses and thereafter became an admirer of Freire. In 1997, during his academic visit to Mexico, the scholar attended Paulo Freire's memorial service after his passing. The profound admiration displayed by Latin American scholars toward Freire at this event profoundly touched him, igniting his passion to disseminate Freire's educational philosophy in China and become a propagator of his educational ideology. Ever since then, the Chinese scholar has introduced Paulo Freire's educational thought and concepts to Chinese educators by publishing books and academic articles. He has disseminated Freire's ideas on school education reform through classroom instruction at teacher education universities and in-service training for primary and secondary school teachers and administrators. Furthermore, by engaging in national curriculum reforms, he has facilitated the integration of Freire's curriculum and instructional ideas into the curriculum and instructional reforms in Chinese primary and secondary schools. From an admirer of Paulo Freire to a propagator of his educational ideas, the scholar himself constitutes a testament to the fact that Freire's educational philosophy has beenspread in China and will continue to exert an influence on the evolution and transformation of China’s education.