Introduction to Confucius Institute at University of Latvia
Introduction to Confucius Institute at University of Latvia
1.Introduction to Confucius Institute
As China’s economy and exchanges with the world have seen rapid growth, there has also been a sharp increase in the world’s demands for Chinese learning. Benefiting from the UK, France, Germany and Spain’s experience in promoting their national languages, China began its own exploration through establishing non-profit public institutions which aim to promote Chinese language and culture in foreign countries in 2004: these were given the name the Confucius Institute.
Confucius Institutes, as non-profit educational institutions set up by means of cooperation between China and foreign countries, devote themselves to satisfying the demands of people from different countries and regions in the world who learn the Chinese language, to enhancing understanding of the Chinese language and culture by these peoples, to strengthening educational and cultural exchange and cooperation between China and other countries, to deepening friendly relationships with other nations, to promoting the development of multi-culturalism and to constructing a harmonious world.
Confucius Institutes, aiming at developing and facilitating the teaching of the Chinese language overseas and promoting educational and cultural exchange and cooperation between China and other international communities, provide the following services: Chinese language teaching; training Chinese language instructors and providing Chinese language teaching resources; holding the HSK examination (Chinese Proficiency Test) and tests for the Certification for the Chinese Language Teachers; providing information and consultative services concerning China’s education, culture, and so forth; conducting language and cultural exchange activities between China and other countries. Confucius Institutes adopt flexible teaching patterns and adapt to suit local conditions when teaching Chinese language and promoting Chinese culture in foreign countries, and thus become an important place for the people in these countries to learn the Chinese language and culture as well as contemporary China.
In about 10 years, the Confucius Institutes’ development has been sharp and they have provided scope for people all over the world to learn about Chinese language and culture. 37 in 27 African countries; 149 in 37 European countries; 144 in 16 American countries and 17 in 3 Oceanian countries. Confucius Classrooms have been established in 48 countries. Among them, 50 in 13 Asian countries; 10 in 8 African countries; 153 in 18 European countries; 384 in 6 American countries and 49 in 2 Oceanian countries. The Confucius Institutes have become a platform for cultural exchanges between China and other countries as well as a bridge reinforcing friendship and cooperation between China and the rest of the world and are much welcomed across the globe.
Contact Information
Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters
Add：129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing,China
Postcode：100088
Tel：86-010-58595859
Fax：86-010-58595900
E-Mail：zonghe@hanban.org
Website：http://www.hanban.org
2.Introduction to Confucius Institute at University of Latvia
10. 11. 拉大孔院宣传及照片（拉语）IC14_M079
University of Latvia was founded in 1919. It is the oldest and largest university in Latvia and also the largest University of the east coast of Baltic Sea. University of Latvia has 13 faculties, more than 20 research institutes, and 15,000 students, involving many different areas and disciplines. University of Latvia has a Department of Asian Studies under Faculty of Humanities, formerly known as Department of Oriental Studies under Faculty of Modern Languages. Chinese courses in this department began from 1993 on. University of Latvia and Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) have a friendly and cooperative relationship. Chinese teachers and volunteers are regularly sent from Hanban.
Confucius Institute at University of Latvia was founded on November 4th, 2011. It is the only authorized organization for Chinese language training and Chinese culture research by People’s Republic of China in Latvia. It is a non-profit educational organization jointly established and cooperated by University of Latvia and SouthChinaNormalUniversity. All Chinese language teachers of Confucius Institute come from China. And excellent students of Confucius Institute will be recommended for a semester or a full academic year scholarship of further language studies in China. In addition, the Confucius Institute offers consultative information about China’s educational, cultural, economic and social affairs, and conducts Sinology research.
The first Chinese language class of Confucius Institute at University of Latvia began from September 24, 2012. Up to now, the Confucius Institute offers 6 different types of classes, i.e. Chinese language class for children (1); Chinese language class for children (2); Chinese language class for beginners (Elementary Chinese Courses); Chinese language class for the students who have learned Chinese more than one year (Intermediate Chinese Courses); Chinese language class for Advanced Chinese Courses, Chinese language class for more Advanced Chinese Courses. LatviaUniversity’s students in Confucius Institute learn Chinese for free, but those Confucius Institute students who come from other universities or schools or have jobs have to pay fee.The time for Chinese courses is 18:00—19:30 from Monday to Friday.
The courses include Chinese language and Chinese culture. Elementary Chinese Courses provide daily Chinese words, phrases, and communicative sentences. The courses prefer practical topics and focus on students’ oral skills. Intermediate Chinese Courses focus on writing Chinese characters, expanding Chinese vocabulary and improving practical writing skills. Advanced Chinese Courses encourage students to express their ideas in Chinese and improve their Chinese proficiency comprehensively. Based on students’ Chinese level, culture classes provide culture presentations about Chinese history, cities, nationalities, traditional music, traditional customs, tea culture, calligraphy, paper cutting and movies for them. And also the culture classes provide students with opportunities to experience Chinese culture.
Besides the Chinese courses, students who study Chinese in Confucius Institute are provided with various opportunities and cultural activities every year to show and improve their Chinese language skills, such as Chinese New Year Celebration, Chinese Lantern Festival Celebration, HSK / HSKK Test (Namely Chinese Proficiency Test, the only official standardized test for non-native speakers organized by Hanban, Confucius Institute Headquarters) which is held two or three times per year, “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition (The only official international Chinese competition organized by Hanban) which is held once per year in Latvia, Chinese Summer Camp (travelling to big cities in China including Beijing and Guangzhou), Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration and “Chinese Salon” activities. The students who accomplish the Chinese courses in accordance with the regulations will obtain the Course Certificate from Confucius Institute at University of Latvia at the end of every semester. The excellent students who show great talent in learning Chinese are provided with high possibilities to get the scholarship offered by Hanban and Chinese Government to get a further study in China for half a year or more.
So far, Confucius Institute at University of Latvia has opened Chinese Programme at Academic Library of University of Latvia, Faculty of Humanities of University of Latvia, Confucius Classroom at RigaCultureSecondary School, Confucius Classroom at DaugavpilsUniversity, Chinese Programme at RezekneUniversity, Chinese Programme at Riga 34 Secondary School, Chinese Programme at Transport and Telecommunication Institute.
Contact Information
Address: Confucius Institute (No.208), Main building of University of Latvia, 19 Raina Blvd.,Riga,Latvia
Postcode: LV-1586
Tel: +371 67034366
E-mail: konfucijs@lu.lv
Courses Location: Rupniecibas 10, Room 411
Website: www.ci.lu.lv
3. Introduction to Confucius Classroom at Riga Culture Secondary School
Riga Culture Secondary School (RCSS) was established in 2001. The school was renovated in 2008.The classrooms and laboratories there are newly furnished as well as modernized and equipped with study aids, visual aids, appropriate digital tools and devices. The school has a spacious library and a reading-room for students and teachers. The assembly hall perfectly meets modern demands. The school gym offers new training devices and proper equipment.
RCSS with its 735 students and 72 teachers is well-known and officially recognised in modern society. The process of teaching in RCSS goes hand in hand with recognition of global dimensions and such cross-cultural principles as being open-minded and being ready to understand and treat each other with respect and tolerance. RCSS offers the widest range of foreign languages for advanced acquisition among secondary schools in Riga. The students are welcome to choose the following foreign languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic. RCSS teaching staff is multiethnic- the teachers come from Morocco, Spain, Mexico, India, Japan and China.
With the support of the Republic of Latvia and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, RCSS has been offering its students to learn the Chinese language since 2002. The curriculum includes such course of studies as: Chinese art, history, music, calligraphy, film industry and acquirement of other aspects of Chinese culture and traditions. The students regularly demonstrate their knowledge, achievements and skills by taking part in different competitions, including annual “ChineseBridge”. Every year a considerable number of students continue their studies in China. With the support of Hanban and Confucius Institute in LatviaUniversity, one of global projects- the foundation or Confucius Class was put into practice in RigaCultureSecondary School in February, 2014. 64 RCSS students and 24 students from other schools are acquiring Chinese language in Confucius Class.
4．Introduction to Confucius Class at Daugavpils University
DaugavpilsUniversity, founded in 1921, is located in the second largest city of Latvia — Daugavpils. It is the biggest regional state university and the only university in Eastern Latvia. DaugavpilsUniversity has 5 faculties and 51 study programs in Literary Science, Linguistics, History, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Physics, Economy, Sociology, Psychology, Education and Art. Approximately 4,000 students are studying here at present. The Faculty of Humanities was founded in 1952. Over 700 students have got their Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral degree from here so far. The faculty has long history in Philology and Literature research, mainly thriving in the fields of Latvian, Russian, English, German, Swedish, French and Spanish Philology.
The Chinese Course in DaugavpilsUniversity attracted much attention and aroused strong social repercussions in Daugavpils when launched in September 2013, as it is the first time that DU sets up long-term Chinese language course in history. Totally more than 80 students took the Chinese Course in the first academic year. Based on students’ study request and purpose, DU provides two kinds of class for those who want to study Chinese: university student class and citizen class. The members in university student class are the students from DU, who can take the Chinese Course for free. Due to the fact that Chinese Course in DU is proceeding for a short time, students can not get the credits by taking this course yet. The members in citizen class are people who basically have jobs from the city; pupils, high school students and teachers are also included in this class. Given the fact that people have different schedule, the Chinese Course of citizen class is generally given at 17:30-19:00. In November 2014, Hanban agreed to upgrade Chinese Programme at DaugavpilsUniversity to Confucius Class. On October 2, 2015, Confucius Class at DaugavpilsUniversity was unveiled. Meanwhile, Humanity Faculty of Daugavpils University opened Chinese Programme.
The Chinese Course in DU includes language course and cultural course. The language course primarily contains basic Chinese phrase, vocabulary, and sentences in daily communication while the cultural course involves Chinese History, ChineseCities, Chinese Tea, Chinese Painting, Chinese Kungfu, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Movie, Chinese Music and so on. Besides the Chinese Course, students who study Chinese in DU are provided with various opportunities to show and improve their Chinese language skills, such as the HSK Test which is held two or three times per year, “ChineseBridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition which is held once per year in Latvia and so on. Students who are qualified in Chinese Course will be awarded the certificate by Confucius Institute at University of Latvia at the end of every academic year. The excellent students who show great talent in learning Chinese are provided with high possibilities to get the scholarship offered by Hanban and Chinese Government to get a further study in China for half a year or more.
Contact Information
Foreign LanguageCenter in DaugavpilsUniversity
Address：Room 410, 13 Vienības Street, Daugavpils, Latvia
Postcode: LV5-401
Tel: +371 654 22994
E-mail: svesvaloducentrs@du.lv
5. Introduction to Chinese Programme at Rezekne University
Rezekne University, located in Rezekne, capital city of Latgale in the southeast part of Latvia, and established on the basis of the branches of the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University, is a state founded higher education and science institution of the Republic of Latvia, which implements the study programs as well as is engaged in scientific research and artistic creative work. There are 4 faculties in RezekneUniversity, including Faculty of Education and Design, Faculty of Humanities and Law, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Economics and Management. RezekneUniversity offers Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Studies in more than 30 study programs in the fields of Literary Science, Linguistics, History, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Physics, Economy, Sociology, Psychology, Education and Art.
Chinese Course in RezekneUniversity was launched in September 2013, and attracted much attention and aroused strong social repercussions in Rezekne and its relevant districts as it is the first time that Rezekne sets up long-term Chinese language course in history. Totally more than 80 students took the Chinese Course in the first academic year. Given the fact that different students have different schedules, RezekneUniversity provides two kinds of classes for those who want to study Chinese: afternoon class which is 15:30-17:00 and evening class which is 17:30- 19:00. The members of both classes include the students and teachers from RezekneUniversity and pupils, high school students from other schools who can take the Chinese Course for free, as well as the citizens who basically have jobs from the city who need to pay some amount of tuition. Besides Latvia locals, international students from Turkey, Spain, France and other countries are registered for Chinese programme as well.
Chinese Course in RezekneUniversity includes language course and cultural course. The language course primarily contains basic Chinese phrase, vocabulary, and sentences in daily communication while the cultural course involves Chinese History, ChineseCities, Chinese Tea, Chinese Cuisine, Chinese Painting, Chinese Kungfu, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Movie, Chinese Music, Chinese Opera and so on. Besides the Chinese Language and Culture Course, students who study Chinese in RezekneUniversity are provided with various opportunities to show and improve their Chinese language skills, such as the HSK Test which is held two or three times per year, “ChineseBridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition which is held once per year in Latvia and so on. Students who are qualified in Chinese Course will be awarded the certificate by Confucius Institute at University of Latvia at the end of every academic year. The excellent students who show great talent in learning Chinese are provided with high possibilities to get the scholarship offered by Hanban and Chinese Government to get a further study in China for half a year or more.
Contact Information
LifeLongLearningCenter in Rezekne Higher Education Institution
Address: No.115, Atbrīvošanas Street, Rezekne, Latvia
Postcode: LV-4600
TEL: +371-64625866
E-mail: muzizglitiba@ru.lv
6. Introduction to Chinese Programme at Riga 34 Secondary School
Riga 34 Secondary School started in the school-year 1952/1953. Since 1963 the school has been the secondary education institution with extensive English learning. The multilingual traditions are still in existence at the school. The students begin learning English in Grade 1 and the school provides the second foreign language (French, German or Chinese) studies beginning with Grade 5.
The school mission is to educate an intelligent, creative, community-minded personality with high-toned values and freedom ingrained who is able of life-long learning and self-actualization. The school motto is “Professionalism. Perspective. Sustainability.”
1312 students and 127 teachers started school-year 2015/2016 in two school buildings (Kandavas 4 and Vircavas 7). The teachers have acquired the new teaching methods and implement them at work.. A number of educators have taken part in various international and domestic projects and courses, advanced their expertise, created teachware and shared their experience with colleagues.
The school has computer rooms, the Internet connection, interactive boards and state-of-the-art Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography，Mathematics and Languages study rooms. There is a modern gym and a football pitch.
The extraclass activities are exciting and diverse. There are sports and design classes, the school choir and vocal groups, the school theatre and the Oriental studies class. The School Parliament and Parents Club help the students to develop proactive approach to life and get valuable leadership experience.
The graduation exams, competitions and contests results prove the high level of school education provided by Riga 34 Secondary School. 97% of the school graduates enter higher educational establishments in Latvia and abroad.
Having taken over Riga 68 Secondary School programme，Riga 34 Secondary School is going to implement The Chinese Language and Culture programme not only for optional classes but also for compulsory studies.
联系方式
地址：1) 拉脱维亚里加坎大瓦斯4号LV-1083;
2) 拉脱维亚里加维尔卡瓦斯7号LV-1083
电话：00371-67458151; 00371-67459511
邮箱：:r34vs@riga.lv
7. Introduction to Chinese Programme at Transport and Telecommunication Institute
Transport and Telecommunication institute (lat. Transporta un sakaru institūts – TSI) – is a modern university with the almost centennial history. TSI – is the university-successor of the legendary RKIIGA (Riga Red-Banner Civil Aviation Institute) and RAU (Riga Aviation Institute).
In the present-day appearance TSI was established in 1999. Nowadays TSI – is the only one private technical university in Latvia, where you can get higher education in Russian, Latvian and English languages. The Institute received permanent accreditation in Latvia as a higher education institution.
The Institute provides with the academic programs in the following directions: transport and logistics, computer sciences, electronics and telecommunication, economics and management, aviation transport. In TSI you can get higher professional education of first and second levels, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, prepare and defend a doctoral dissertation.
TSI is conducting the diversified research scientific work. According to the results of expert evaluation Transport and Telecommunication Institute is the only one among private high educational institutions included in the list of leading scientific institutions, acting in Latvia. In the 2014 TSI was included in the list of Worldwide Professional University Ranking (Rank/Pro 2013/2014).
There are students from Russia, India, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, UK and other countries in TSI.
From September 2015 on, the Institute provides students with Chinese language and culture programme as the 7th teaching site of Confucius Institute at University of Latvia.
