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The Edge Hill University Confucius Institute provides opportunity for its students, trainees and partnership schools to teach Mandarin and learn more about China.

Working in partnership – vision for the future

There has been major growth in the use of Mandarin in business, health professions, and teaching in schools. As well as being the first language spoken by more people than any other, the sustained economic growth of China means that knowledge of Mandarin is becoming a key employability skill.

The Confucius Institute is working with colleagues in all three faculties to raise awareness of Mandarin language and culture and giving students from all disciplines the opportunity to enhance their personal development and improve their employability through the study of the Chinese Government recognised Mandarin Language qualification. Successful completion of HSK Level 2 gives Edge Hill degree students eligibility to apply for a visa to work for a short term in China.

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teaching Chinese studies in a confucius institute high school class

Our vision

The Confucius Institute is affiliated with the Faculty of Education, which is one of the country’s leading providers of teacher education and training and has a reputation for high quality and innovation in its work with schools to improve standards. A main focus of the Confucius Institute is on the training of teachers in both primary and secondary schools with the aim of increasing the opportunities for learning about Chinese culture, history and Mandarin language. The activities and programmes on offer range from short taster sessions to teacher training and professional development. In addition the Institute offers a range of services to schools to encourage and support the development of Mandarin within the curriculum.

  • Increase engagement with Mandarin Chinese language and culture by trainee teachers and other students, members of the community and local businesses.
  • Influence the growth in number of Mandarin teachers across the North West of England.
  • Increase the awareness of Mandarin and Chinese Culture in schools across the North of England through the development of a network of Confucius Hub Schools.
  • Increase the numbers of primary and secondary schools undertaking Mandarin language lessons including pupils engaging with Mandarin GCSE, Chinese Youth Language Test (YCT) and Chinese Language Proficiency Test (HSK).
  • In partnership with Hanban and Chongqing Normal University develop placements for trainee teachers, students from faculties of Health and Social Care and Arts and Sciences and in-service teachers.

The CI’s ongoing strategic direction has six pillars of activity:

  1. Language and culture school hubs
  2. Language and culture exchange activities for Edge Hill staff and students including visits to China via Chongqing Normal University
  3. Activities on/off campus which face specifically towards the local community (language, culture and the arts)
  4. Support for local businesses with basic Mandarin language and Chinese cultural awareness
  5. Bringing greater focus on the Arts, including Chinese music, theatre, performances and film to the campus
  6. Creating added focus specifically on modern, popular, Chinese culture and media.

Partners

Chongqing Normal University

Chongqing Normal University is a comprehensive university playing a key role in a teachers’ education.

It is a higher education institution, authorised to award Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. There are 17 colleges, 80 Master’s degree programmes, 63 undergraduate programmes offering literature, science, economics, management, art, and physical education. Currently, there are over 28,000 students enrolled and over 1700 teachers, including more than 650 professors and associate professors.

Chongqing Normal University is a comprehensive teacher training university offering at least nine different educational programmes, from pre-school education to overseas Chinese language education. It has become the preeminent teacher training university for the promotion of China and its culture.

The University has partnered with multiple foreign universities for the establishment of Confucius Institutes around the world. Edge Hill University is among these. It seeks to establish a cooperative spirit and an exchange of cultural ideas as much as possible. This exchange of ideas comes from over 20 countries and currently has over 400 international students to reflect this.

Staff

Chinese New Year 2024

Students, staff and visitors witnessed a colourful display of Chinese performing arts, from the cheerful spirit of the auspicious Lion Dance, to majestic and awe-inspiring acrobatic performances delivered by Jin Long.

Find out more about Chinese New Year celebrations at Edge Hill

Student testimonials

A tutor and student laugh and they make origami

I would like to thank all of the students involved and Edge Hill University for organising such an eventful and exiting day and Swire for their generously funding towards the trip.

新年快乐 Miss Behrens and Mr Li

My favourite part was the Kung fu because I learnt how to defend myself.n eventful and exiting day and Swire for their generously funding towards the trip.

Chloe

I loved dressing up in the traditional Chinese clothes. The food there was amazing, too.

Emmy

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