The International Curriculum for Chinese Language Education has played an important role to guide the various methods of teaching Chinese language in Confucius Institutes (Confucius Classrooms) and primary, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions both at home and abroad.
To adapt to the new changes of the educational situations of Chinese language and summarize in time the research findings on Chinese language teaching, an improved plan and guide was needed for designing Chinese language courses, compiling teaching materials, and making competence evaluations. Based on the investigations and feedback from all stakeholders, the Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban organized a committee and launched the Curriculum revision project in 2013.
The revised Curriculum has adjusted the following aspects:
1.The hierarchical structure is adjusted to promote the integration of teaching and testing;
2.Practicability is highlighted and more examples are included;
3.Assessment is included and practical suggestions are provided;
4.Chinese teaching in different programs and different levels are considered. Local flexibility is encouraged;
5.The application of media resources is emphasized.
Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban, as a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education, is committed to making policies and development plans for promoting Chinese language internationally. It goes all out in supporting Chinese language programs at educational institutions in other countries, formulating international Chinese language teaching standards and making evaluations based on the standards, developing and promoting Chinese language teaching materials. It also shoulders the following responsibilities: working out the criteria for the qualifications of TCSL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language) teachers and developing training programs for them; selecting and sending abroad TCSL teachers and volunteers; implementing the Chinese language proficiency tests for foreign learners; formulating the standards for TCSL network construction; building relevant network platforms and providing resources to develop and promote various Chinese tests; providing guidance to the Confucius Institutes, etc.