Soft Power and the Worldwide Promotion of Chinese Language Learning
The Confucius Institute Project
Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Study & Teaching, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
| Author: | Dr. Jeffrey Gil | ISBN: | 9781783098071 |
| Publisher: | Channel View Publications | Publication: | May 11, 2017 |
| Imprint: | Multilingual Matters | Language: | English |
| Author: | Dr. Jeffrey Gil |
| ISBN: | 9781783098071 |
| Publisher: | Channel View Publications |
| Publication: | May 11, 2017 |
| Imprint: | Multilingual Matters |
| Language: | English |
‘The Confucius Institute Project’ – consisting of Confucius Institutes and Classrooms, the posting of Chinese language teachers to overseas schools and universities and the Chinese Bridge language competition – represents an attempt by China to extend its influence globally through the use of soft power. Facilitated by a rapidly increasing demand for Chinese language learning, it has established a presence across the globe and made valuable contributions to the learning and teaching of Chinese. However, this has not necessarily led to an increasingly positive view of China, either at a political or a societal level. Through an analysis of official documents, interviews with those involved, a survey of Chinese-language learners and a study of academic and media sources, the author evaluates the aims of the project, and discusses whether these aims are being met.
‘The Confucius Institute Project’ – consisting of Confucius Institutes and Classrooms, the posting of Chinese language teachers to overseas schools and universities and the Chinese Bridge language competition – represents an attempt by China to extend its influence globally through the use of soft power. Facilitated by a rapidly increasing demand for Chinese language learning, it has established a presence across the globe and made valuable contributions to the learning and teaching of Chinese. However, this has not necessarily led to an increasingly positive view of China, either at a political or a societal level. Through an analysis of official documents, interviews with those involved, a survey of Chinese-language learners and a study of academic and media sources, the author evaluates the aims of the project, and discusses whether these aims are being met.
