For teachers and schools

The Confucius Institute offers courses in Chinese language and culture, Chinese-English translation and interpreting, and business communication to UQ and the broader community.

The Confucius Institute organises research internship study tours to China for UQ students each year. Students participating in this program may gain credit towards their degrees at UQ. The institute also periodically holds Chinese language proficiency tests including the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) and YCT (Youth Chinese Test). Regional heats are also organised annually for the international ‘Chinese Bridge’ proficiency competition.

The Institute highly values service to the broader community including schools with Chinese programs and corporations and organisations engaging with China. Support offered ranges from courses in Chinese language and culture, China study tours, Confucius Classroom establishment and linkage to Chinese partners. 

The Confucius Institute also offers a Young Scholars Award to assist secondary school students in studying Chinese.

    Why learn Mandarin?

    Mandarin is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

    Learning Mandarin is without doubt a highly rewarding experience. Speaking and understanding Mandarin will open up new gateways in relation to:

    • Career Development: China is currently Australia’s largest trading partner playing an important role in Australia’s trade strategies and development. With a range of exchange taking place with China, having an understanding of the language will no doubt be advantageous.
    • Travel: A number of countries and regions utilise Mandarin as either their primary or supporting language. Language skills will enrich your experience significantly when travelling to Mandarin-speaking regions.
    • Culture: Celebrate Chinese culture through your language skills. With thousands of years of culture and history, language learners can immerse themselves in the Arts, music, cuisine, dance and architecture to name a few.
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    Confucius Institute at UQ Young Scholars Award

    The Confucius Institute at UQ Young Scholars Award aims to promote increased Mandarin Proficiency and is to be used for participation in the Summer/Winter High School Program offered to high school students through The University of Queensland’s Institute of Modern Languages (IML). 

    Enrolment is only open to students commencing grade 11 or grade 12 in the current year of application.

    Successful Young Scholars Award recipients will receive:

    • Fully-sponsored tuition in the IML High School Program
    • A Brisbane Public Transport travel stipend (Go Card credit)

    The program usually runs in January (Summer Program) and July (Winter Program) of each year and is suitable for students in the senior phase of learning who wish to enrich their knowledge of Chinese language and culture. Course content is based on themes and topics specified in the Qld Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) Senior Syllabus and in the International Baccalaureate program (IB).

    Applying for the Young Scholars Award

    -Schools that have been directly contacted by either the Confucius Institute at UQ or via the UQ Office of Prospective Students and Student Equity to attend this application round will be eligible to nominate up to 3 senior students (ranked in order of preference) engaged in Year 11 or 12 to participate. Nominations will be taken into consideration by the Confucius Institute. 

    -Award enquires to also be sent to: business.manager@confucius.uq.edu.au

    **NOTE: Schools with existing formal engagements with other CIs may not be eligible for this particular UQ CI Award.    

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    HSK/HSKK Chinese language proficiency testing

    In recognising the importance of Mandarin skills in an increasingly globalised climate, the Confucius Institute at the University of Queensland encourages students of the language to test their skills in the form of the HSK and HSKK.

    The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) is China's national standardised test designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers. The standard HSK test (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is available to scholars of all ages. The HSK Speaking Test (HSKK) assesses the test takers’ ability to express themselves in oral Chinese and is an important part of the Chinese testing system. These are standardised exams for Chinese language proficiency and are aimed at non-native Chinese speakers of all levels.

    The HSK/HSKK tests are highly valued tools used in assessing those aspiring to study, research and employment in China. Students who excel at the higher HSK levels may be eligible for support offered by the China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test for study in China.

    In completing the HSK/HSKK tests, Queensland school students may also gain credit towards the Queensland Certificate of Education.

    Read more.

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    Resources for learning

    Materials are available to assist with the preparation for HSK learning, particular in relation to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Materials include text, resources and learning implementation guidelines. Content is available under following 7 categories:

    Read more about HSK teaching resources.

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    Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition

    The "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for International University Students is a large-scale international contest for students on their mastery of the Chinese language, sponsored by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) in Beijing.

    The competition allows non-native Chinese speakers to demonstrate their knowledge of Chinese culture and knowledge in a written test, and compete in optional oral presentations and cultural arts performances for prizes including an all-expenses paid trip to China to compete in the grand finals.

    To date (2019), over 1,000,000 college students from 130 countries have participated in the competition.

    Read more about UQ's most recent participation in the Chinese Bridge.

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    Support for Queensland students

    The Confucius Institute at UQ engages with primary and secondary schools in Queensland, often in the form of cultural performances, to celebrate important events and festivals in the Chinese calendar.

    Outreach activitites are an important part of the Confucius Institute's responsibility in supporting the understanding of Chinese language and culture from a young age.

    Please contact the Business Manager at business.manager@confucius.uq.edu.au for any queries about possible initiatives in your school in Chinese language and culture.

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