As China’s economy and exchanges with the world have seen rapid growth, there has also been a sharp increase in the world’s demands for Chinese learning. Benefiting from the UK, France, Germany and Spain’s experience in promoting their national languages, China began its own exploration through establishing non-profit public institutions which aim to promote Chinese language and culture in foreign countries in 2004: these were given the name the Confucius Institute.
Over recent years, the Confucius Institutes’ development has been sharp and they have provided scope for people all over the world to learn about Chinese language and culture. In addition they have become a platform for cultural exchanges between China and the world as well as a bridge reinforcing friendship and cooperation between China and the rest of the world and are much welcomed across the globe.
According to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Confucius Institutes, the function of Confucius Institutes as non-profit educational institutions is to enhance understanding of Chinese language and culture among foreigners, develop friendly relations between China and other countries, foster the development of multiculturalism and contribute to the building of a harmonious world.

The Functions of the Confucius Institute are as follows:
1.Offer Chinese teaching programs to people from all walks of life;
2.Offer Chinese teachers training programs;
3.Organize all kinds of Chinese proficiency tests and Chinese teachers qualification authentication;
4.Provide information and consultation services about Chinese education, culture and economy;
5.Develop study programs about modern China.
In the Period of 2009, Confucius Institutes around the world have opened over 9,000 Chinese programs with a total enrollment of 260,000 people, a 130,000 up in enrollment compared with the previous year. In addition, they have also launched more than 7,500 cultural exchange activities involved a total participation of over 3 million people, doubled the figure of the corresponding period in the previous year.

Through the joint efforts of China and the Confucius Institute host countries in addition to the enthusiasm and active support of people all over the world, by the end of 2009, there have been 282 Confucius Institutes and 272 Confucius Classrooms established in 88 countries. In addition, some 250 institutions from over 50 countries have expressed requirements for establishing Confucius Institutes/Classrooms, amongst them some of the world’s top universities.

Since the world’s first Confucius Institute was founded, we have conformed to a Chinese-foreign cooperative pattern in establishing Confucius Institutes and strictly follow the regulations in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Confucius Institutes. The application procedures are as follows: a foreign institute shall firstly submit a voluntary application, and then the two parties, Hanban and the foreign institute, sign a cooperative agreement on the basis of equal consultation. Confucius Institutes implement an administrative system in which the directors of the Confucius Institutes have overall responsibilities under the leadership of the Council of Confucius Institutes; the Council of Confucius Institutes consists of council members from both Chinese and foreign parties. The two parties have equal responsibilities in raising operation funds.
Throughout the process of the establishment and development of Confucius Institutes, we adhere to the principle of the foreign party taking precedence whilst the Chinese party plays the role of providing assistance; meanwhile we request the active support and involvement of local government administrations and all sectors of the society. Currently, there are five cooperative models in establishing Confucius Institutes:
1.A partnership between a Chinese university and a foreign university;
2.A partnership between a Chinese secondary school and a foreign secondary school;
3.A partnership between a foreign nongovernmental organization and a Chinese university;
4.A partnership between a foreign government and the Chinese government;
5.A partnership between an enterprise and a university.

Please visit the Confucius Institute Operations column in the Confucius Institute subordinate page on our website to get specific information.

Confucius Institute Headquarters administrate and guide Confucius Institutes around the world, its specific obligations are as follows:
To make development plans and set down establishment and evaluation criterion for Confucius Institutes;
To examine, approve and establish Confucius Institutes;
To examine and approve annual project proposals, budgets and financial statements of Confucius Institutes worldwide;
To guide and evaluate the teaching activities and to control the quality of the operation of Confucius Institutes;
To provide Confucius Institutes around the world with the support and services of teaching resources;
To select and dispatch Chinese directors and teaching staff to Confucius Institutes, to offer training programs for the management teams and teachers of Confucius Institutes;
To organize annual Confucius Institute conference.

The Confucius Institute Headquarters is located in Beijing, our address is: No. 129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China

The Confucius Classroom is a non-profit educational organization. The council of the Confucius Classroom consisted of executive bodies of both the Chinese and foreign parties of the Classroom, administrates the Confucius Classroom.

The Confucius Classroom’s activities are as follows:
1、Develop Chinese teaching and cultural activities and other competitions relevant to Chinese language and culture;
2、Provide local primary and middle school teachers with training programs;
3、Organize Summer (Winter) Camp Programs in China for local primary and middle school students;
4、Compile Chinese language and cultural teaching materials;

Through the joint efforts of China and the Confucius Institute host countries in addition to the enthusiasm and active support of people all over the world, by the end of 2009, 272 Confucius Classrooms established in 88 countries.

Please visit the “Confucius Institute Operations” column in the “Confucius Institute” channel to get more information.

To promote cultural and educational exchanges between China and the foreign countries, and strengthen international Chinese teaching and foreign aid in education

Teachers under 55 years old with Chinese nationality in good health (63 years old for non-common language teachers)

At present, there are a large number of government-sponsored teacher posts in 80 countries across America, Europe, Asia

The service term of government-sponsored teachers for long-term overseas Chinese language teaching shall be subject to the admission notice of the Ministry of Education, usually two academic years.

During working abroad, teachers shall comply with relevant laws of the foreign country and shall not engage in business activities, or help families do businesses, nor engage in the work or activities that do not match their status.

Hanban launched the Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers, aiming to promote the use of Chinese language and improve the level of Chinese teaching abroad, to help spread Chinese language and culture all over the world, to deepen mutual understanding between China and other countries, as well as to strengthen the friendship between all nations and increase cultural exchange worldwide. It is one of Hanban’s initiatives to provide Chinese teachers for any country, if it needs them, based on our advantage of abundant resources of native-speakers, in order to meet the need of flourishing development of Chinese language teaching in the whole world. Approved by the Ministry of Education of China, the program was put into effect on March 26, 2004. Hanban has established the Center of Chinese Volunteers to Teach Chinese in Foreign Countries (referred to as "Volunteer Center") to deal with the daily routine of the program.

1) Those who love the motherland and will engage in the international promotion of Chinese language with good political integrity and professional skills, a spirit of devotion and teamwork, very strong sense of organizational discipline, good conduct and no crime or fault record; 2. Good psychological quality and adaptive capability in good health; 3. A good command of Chinese language and culture, wide knowledge of China’s actual conditions and theory of teaching; Chinese teaching experience and skills; foreign language communication skills and cross-cultural communication competence; and Chinese cultural skills; 4. Mandarin Level II Grade A or above; College English Band 4 or above; 5. Aged from 22 to 50 years old; the restriction can be eased if necessary.

It is not necessary. But applicants should have some basic knowledge of Chinese language and culture, along with Chinese teaching ability. Related experience and skills are preferred.

All those who are qualified to apply should pay attention to related information released on the websites of Hanban or the respective provincial (municipal) education departments (education commissions) and directly subordinate colleges and universities to find appropriate positions and download the Application Form for the Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers on the Hanban website. They then should submit the application form to respective provincial (municipal) education departments (education commissions) and directly subordinate colleges and universities.

Volunteers are not necessarily required to master the language of the destination country. However, in order to make his/her work and life more convenient, volunteers should have a certain degree of proficiency in foreign languages. Understanding the language of the destination country is preferred. Please write down what foreign languages you know and how much of the given language you have mastered when registering.

This will be decided by the situation of demand abroad. Generally, it takes about six months to a year for registration, selection and training before going abroad.

The benchmark of subsidy is US$ 800 a month for each volunteer. As for those volunteers who are to be subsidized by a local unit in a foreign country for their cost of living, if and when the amount of such a subsidy is sufficient enough to attain the above-said benchmark, the Volunteer Center shall not offer subsidy. If the subsidy does not reach the above benchmark, the Center shall make up the balance. The Center shall negotiate with local relevant departments in charge of the Chinese teaching program in the foreign country to ensure that the teaching hours planned for the teacher will not exceed the limit of lawful working hours in a week set by the local administration and besides, and that the teachers can enjoy their lawful holidays.

The volunteer are subject to the guidance and oversight of the Chinese embassies (consulates). Hanban and the departing institution shall establish a service support system for volunteers, as well as online forum and smooth feedback channel. They shall also set up a “Volunteer House” or appoint administration teachers in foreign countries if conditions permit. An agreement on voluntary service for the Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers between the departing institution and the volunteers shall be signed. The rights and obligations of both sides shall be specified in the agreement.

The Volunteer Center attaches importance to safeguarding volunteers’ health and life security. To guarantee their health condition and security, the Center shall set up every volunteer working abroad with an insurance company for their preferential medical care treatment and against accidental damages to the body, as the universally accepted practices do. The volunteer can also take out any other policies on other personal insurance they feel necessary. In addition, if the volunteer encounters difficulties abroad, we will try our best to provide any possible necessary assistance. But the volunteers should be equipped with the capabilities to conduct first aid for themselves. When emergencies or serious accident occurs, we shall contact the local Chinese embassy (consulate). Volunteers should be aware of the importance of self-protection and ready to submit themselves to the guidance and assistance from the local Chinese embassy (consulate), and respect the local ways and customs, be on good terms with the staff of the institution they serve, and avoid as much as possible going out alone or to dangerous places.

The period of volunteer service is normally for 1 year and the maximum period is three years. When the term of service expires, the volunteer shall, in principle, return to China in compliance with the signed agreement. Those who want to extend their term of service shall submit a summary report, application for extension and an invitation from the employment side to the departing institution within 3 months before the end of their service term, and then submit to Hanban for approval. If the foreign country they serve requests the extension, to which the volunteer also agrees, the service period shall be extended on the approval of the Volunteer Center.

The Center shall provide professional training for volunteers to be sent abroad after signing the agreement. It will invite experienced teachers or experts from various fields to give lectures or host forums, and provide relevant information on the Hanban website (www.hanban.org ), answer the questions put forward by volunteers at any time, and provide consultations.

Applicants need not possess a passport before applying for the service. As for those who do not have a passport, if and when the Volunteer Center has recruited them as volunteers to be sent abroad, they should immediately apply for a regular individual passport by themselves.

In principle, volunteers should apply for the visa by themselves. The Volunteer Center shall provide any necessary assistance.

It depends on particular circumstances and requirements of the destination country. Please contact respective provincial (municipal) Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureaus for details.

In principle, the local institution a volunteer will work in shall provide lodging for the volunteer with necessary facilities and equipment. Since local customs and way of life differs from their own, volunteers should pay special attention to their diet.

During the period of working abroad, if relatives of the volunteers wish to pay them visits, they may go through the procedures for going abroad on individual matters at their own expense. Usually, it is not suitable for volunteers to go to serve in a foreign country together with their family members.

Hanban will offer each volunteer 2000-yuan “donation books for volunteers” and a number of “donation books for schools”. The latter are under the management of the schools for repeated use. The volunteers shall be responsible for setting up “Chinese book corner” in the schools they teach and be in charge of its management and maintenance.

The Center will provide the volunteers with intensive professional training, which aims to help the volunteers learn more about the program and enhance their sense of glory, responsibility, mission and urgency for teaching Chinese. It also aims to improve the volunteers’ skills in teaching Chinese as a foreign language and classroom management, as well as their Chinese cultural skills and cross-cultural communication skills, thus help them promptly adapt to local conditions, fulfill their tasks and be qualified private messengers of friendly relations between China and other countries. The main content of the training includes: voluntary service and volunteer Chinese teachers, teaching and management, teaching observation and practice, modern educational technology, knowledge about China’s actual conditions and Chinese culture, Chinese skills, competence development, diplomatic etiquette, guidance on working abroad and language of the destination countries.

Volunteers should submit themselves actively to the leadership of local Chinese embassy or consulate, and make every effort to fulfill their duty in service work according to the agreement; obey the laws and regulations of the local government and the rules of the school, respect the customs and ways of life of the destination country, keep on good terms with local citizens, and avoid participating in any activities incompatible with their status. Officials of the Volunteer Center shall make irregular inspection tours of various countries to check the work of the volunteers, and help volunteers to improve their teaching and solve any possible problems cropping up in their work and daily life.

When they return to China at the expiration of the terms of service, volunteers should report to the Volunteer Center in a timely fashion and send their work report to the Center within a month after returning home. The Volunteer Center shall review their performance in the service abroad and make an assessment. Hanban shall award an Honorable Certificate of Meritorious Performance in Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers to those who have successfully completed their voluntary service, and award a Distinguish Certificate of Outstanding Performance in the Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers to those who have been highly acclaimed for their service in the foreign country. As for those who did not implement the rules in the agreement or made serious mistakes during their voluntary service, the Volunteer Center will investigate into the case for their liability according to the agreement. After the volunteers return home, when the agreement between the volunteer and the Volunteer Center expires, the Center shall not be responsible for job assignment and settlement for the returned volunteers.

The volunteer can make an application to both the school or institution he/she is working in, to local Chinese embassy or consulate after approval by the school, and then to Hanban. The volunteer may return home only after approval of Hanban.

Hanban is not responsible for selling its Chinese teaching materials. For those with a need for our books; please contact related bookstores or publishing houses. Contact information is as follows:Click Here to Find the Publishers

For those requiring books; please contact Hanban overseas representatives or Chinese learning resource centers. Contact information can be found as follows:Click Here to Find the Publishers

In an effort to incrementally realize the objective of full coverage of Chinese teaching materials abroad, Hanban began to translate 9 major Chinese teaching textbooks into 45 languages, including: English, Russian, French, Germany, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Swedish, Portuguese, Korean, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Laotian, Burmese, Thai, Indonesian, Malay , Sinhalese, Turkish, Swahili, Persian, Urdu, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Croatian, Albanian, Finnish, Ukrainian, Dutch, Hausa, Hindi, Hebrew, Norwegian, Icelandic, Danish, Greek, Filipino, Mongolian, Nepali. The 9 textbooks are: Chinese Paradise, Happy Chinese, Learn Chinese with Me, Contemporary Chinese, New Practical Chinese Reader, International Curriculum for Chinese Language Education, Essential Chinese Dictionary, My Chinese Picture Dictionary and My Chinese Pocket Picture Dictionary. The various editions mentioned above are expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

For online Chinese teaching resources, please visit the website of the Online Confucius Institute: www.chinese.cn. the Online Confucius Institute, set up by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters, has 5 main sections, namely: Confucius Institute, Resources, Learning, Culture and Interaction, offering over 50 Chinese-English learning channels as well as Chinese teaching resources in English, German, French, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Spanish and Arabic.

In order to aid overseas Chinese teachers and students in their use of Hanban's teaching materials, Hanban provides related training for overseas Chinese teachers, volunteers and MTCSOL students (Master's of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages). It has organized two training sessions for local teachers in the UK and Indonesia, in May and June 2010 respectively.

Publishing houses, experts and scholars, after abundant surveying and study of the demand for international Chinese teaching materials; are welcome to apply to Hanban's Division of Teaching Materials for the "International Fund for Chinese Teaching Material Development". Please contact "jiaocai@hanban.org" for more information.

Please visit the Hanban website (www.hanban.org) and click "Education Resources" for more information on Hanban's Chinese teaching materials.

Hanban will attend 10 large-scale international book and language exhibitions annually. We plan to participate in the following exhibitions in 2010:Click Here for Details