Introduction to the Confucius Institutes

The Confucius Institutes are non-profit educational organizations, devoted to satisfying the Chinese language education needs of people from different countries and regions in the world, enhancing understanding of the Chinese language and culture, strengthening educational and cultural exchange and cooperation between China and other countries, deepening friendly relationships with other nations, and promoting the development of multiculturalism with the aim of constructing a harmonious world.

The Confucius Institute was established to promote the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language and for exchange and co-operation in educational and cultural fields. The services offered by Confucius Institute include:

1. Chinese language teaching.

2. Training for Chinese language instructors.

3. Chinese language teaching resources.

4. Administration of the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) examination and tests for the Certification of the Chinese Language Teachers.

5. Providing information and consultative services concerning China’s education, culture, and other areas.

6. Conducting language and cultural exchange activities between China and other countries.

As of Oct 2009, 396 Confucius Institutes and Classrooms have been established in 87 different countries and regions. Each Confucius Institute takes advantage of its unique character to develop rich and diverse educational and cultural activities. In this way, the Institutes gradually formed their own unique teaching modes, and have become an important place for people to learn Chinese language and understand Chinese culture.