Confucius Institutes look beyond language lessons
Print Edition
The number of Confucius Institutes and classrooms around the world has grown to more than 1,000 over the past nine years, conference delegates heard yesterday.
And in addition to teaching language, many are exploring new methods of teaching Chinese culture to foreigners, the gathering at Shanghai’s Fudan University heard.
Fifty-four foreign directors of Confucius Institutes from 28 countries met for a week’s training in Mandarin, Chinese philosophy and Chinese culture and to exchange ideas.
“We have a focus on Chinese food and drink ,” said Charles Shoemaker, executive director of the Confucius Institute at the University of California.
It offers lectures on Chinese tea and wine and activities like making dumplings, plus free Mandarin courses.
And the Confucius Institute at the University of Manchester said it holds Chinese activities at local festivals so that more people can participate.
However, some attendees had long-term concerns.
“Many institutes face the problem of sustainable development after establishment,” said Wang Yongli, deputy chief executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters.
Globally, there are 430 Confucius institutes and 640 Confucius classrooms. In 2012, they had 655,000 students.
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