China will hold a World
Chinese Conference in Beijing from July 20 to 22. The
conference aims to give more weight to teaching Chinese as a
foreign language and to offer better services to students in this
regard.
Vice Minister of Education Zhang Xinsheng made the
announcement at a press conference sponsored by the State Leading
Group of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (SLGTCFL) on
Wednesday. The conference is sponsored by a number of central
government departments including the SLGTCFL, Ministry of Education
and Ministry of Finance.
The theme of the conference is "Development of
Chinese in a Multicultural World."
Over 300 people are expected to attend the conference. Foreign
participants include political leaders, senior education officials,
officials responsible for Chinese language teaching policies, as
well as presidents of prestigious universities and renowned
sinologists. Domestic participants include chief officials,
experts, and scholars from provincial and municipal authorities of
education and China's top universities.
Certain awards will also be presented during the conference
including The Plate Award to be presented to overseas Confucius
institutes.
Other related events include the eighth International Symposium
on Chinese Teaching, Symposium on Overseas Sinology, Exhibition of
Chinese Language Teaching Materials from China and Abroad, the
fourth Chinese Bridge?- Chinese Proficiency Competition for
Foreign College Students, International Summer Chinese Language
Program/Summer Camp for University and Secondary School Students,
and a China Culture Tour.
According to Zhang, the Chinese government encourages
Chinese citizens to learn foreign languages and requires every
primary, secondary or university student to acquire foreign
languages skills; and at the same time, it gives high priority to
the promotion of CFL teaching. In addition, it plans to provide
better services to foreigners learning Chinese.
In 2004, the State Council approved the "Chinese
Bridge" Project. This project involves the establishment of
"Confucius institutes" overseas, and the development of multi-media
audio-visual teaching materials such as "Chengo Chinese" and "Great
Wall Chinese."
Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese Ministry
of Education and the US Department of Education, from 2003 onward,
the two countries have been cooperating on the E-language
Learning System Project (ELLS). The Chinese side has developed
the "Chengo Chinese" courseware, which includes lessons for US
middle and high school students over the Internet. This courseware
has been tested by almost 150,000 students from over 20 states in
the US, and has been well received, said Zhang.
"Great Wall Chinese" is characterized by its unconventional
teaching method. It provides customized learning solutions, Zhang
added.
Further, the creation of the AP (Advanced Placement) Chinese
Language and Culture Course is an indication that Chinese language
teaching has become part of the US mainstream education system. The
AP course will start in 2006 and examinations will officially be
offered in 2007. Throughout the US, some 2500 schools are already
planning to offer the AP Chinese course. China will assist the US
College Board with a teachers training program and provide tailored
teaching materials.
To provide better Chinese language teaching services overseas,
Zhang outlined the following responsibilities his ministry has been
tasked with for 2005:
1. Establish the building standard and mode of a "Confucius
Institute" and put in place the management and evaluation
mechanisms.
2. Work out the teacher training plan for both domestic and
overseas programs for the next?five years, improve the current
training mechanism and compile standardized training materials;
send abroad 1,000 volunteer Chinese teachers and 100
government-funded Chinese teachers.
3. Evaluate, select and promote excellent Chinese teaching
materials from home and abroad; formulate a teaching material
development plan and feasible promotion plan for the next five
years.
4. Reform the HSK
(Chinese Proficiency Test) system to cater to the needs of overseas
candidates and to increase candidate numbers. According to Zhang, a
total of 151 examination centers have been set up in 34 countries.
The number of test candidates reached 90,000 last year. Other test
categories such as "HSK for Business" will also be developed, he
added.
(China.org.cn June 15, 2005)