The Role of Confucius Institutes in Chinese Education in Russia (Based on the Example of Confucius Institute of the Humanitarian Institute, Novosibirsk State University)

Abstract

With the increase of Sino-Russian cooperation in various fields, interest in Chinese is growing in Russia, which high-lights the role of Confucius Institute to meet demand. Confucius Institute is a non-profit educational organization jointly established by China and other countries. Each of the 22 Confucius Institutes and classrooms in Russia present its distinctive feature and work hard in helping the Russian people learn Chinese, understand Chinese culture and enhance the humanist exchange between China and Russia. Chinese education is the most important task of the institutes. Using Confucius Institute of Novosibirsk State University as an example, this paper introduces works done by the institute from three aspects. Firstly, it contributes to Chinese education in the university. Secondly, it meets local residents’ needs to learn Chinese. Thirdly, it broadens the scope of regional cooperation and trains local Chinese teachers. With the support of Xinjiang University in China, the Confucius Institute at Novosibirsk State University has cooperated with many higher and secondary education institutions in Russia to expand international cooperation in Chinese education. The effective work of Confucius Institute at Novosibirsk State University has proved that it has played an active role in Chinese education. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Confucius Institutes and class-rooms in Russia have continued operating by taking advantage of online teaching and learning and explored the route of development characterized with “Internet + Chinese”. The authors believe that Confucius Institutes will keep on contributing to the Chinese education in Russia with the joint efforts of both parties.