To meet the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate Chinese language education around the world, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as the Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, selected HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as Recommending Institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to further their studies in international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as Host Institutions).
I. Eligibility
a) Be a non-Chinese citizens；
b) Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution;
c) Be in good physical and mental health, be ingood academic and behavioral standing;
d) Be interested in Chinese language education and related work; and
e) Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1,2023. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers may be extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a Bachelor’s degree shall be younger than 25 under most circumstances.
II. Categories and Qualifications
A. Chinese Language Teacher Scholarships
a) Scholarship for Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL）
The program commences in September 2023, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years.
Applicants shall hold a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test(Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK test(Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof of the same effect.
b) Scholarship for Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (BTCSOL)
The program commences in September 2023, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years.
Applicants shall hold a senior high school diploma and have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test(Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test(Intermediate Level).
c) Scholarship for One-Year Study Program
The program commences in September 2023, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of eleven months. International students who have benefited from similar scholarships are not eligible.
Applicants of International Chinese Language Education programs shall have a minimum score of 270 on the HSK test(Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required. Applicants of Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, or Chinese Philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test(Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test(Intermediate Level). Applicants of Chinese language study programs shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test(Level 3), and priority will be given to applicants who provide an HSKK test score.
d) Scholarship for One-Semester Study Program
The program commences either in September 2023 or March 2024, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of five months. Applicants holding the X1/X2 visa category are not eligible. Applicants of International Chinese Language Education, Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, or Chinese Philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required.
e) Scholarship for Four-Week Study Program
The program commences either in July or December 2023, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four weeks. Applicants holding the X1/X2 visa category are not eligible.
Applicants of Chinese language study are required to provide an HSK test score. The program may be organized and applied for by a Recommending Institution with 10-15 participants per group. Before the trip, a detailed study plan shall be made in consultation with the Host Institution(s) and such plan shall be submitted to CLEC for review and approval.
B. Joint Program Scholarships
Category: Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL）
Quota: 20 students
The program commences in September 2023, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years.
Applicants shall hold a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test(Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK test(Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof of the same effect.
C. Scholarships for Online Programs
a) The Online Program for One-Year Chinese Language Study commences in September or March each year. Under most circumstances, a score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3) is required, and priority will be given to those who also provide an HSKK test score.
b) The Online Program for One-Semester Chinese Language Study commences in September or March each year. Under most circumstances, an HSK test score (regardless of level or score) is required.
c）Special Online Study Program: The program may be organized and applied for by a Recommending Institution over 20 participants per group. Before the application, a detailed study plan shall be made in consultation with the Host Institution(s) and such plan shall be submitted to CLEC for review and approval.
III. Application Procedures
1. Online Application
Online registration will be available from March 1, 2023 on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website (cis.chinese.cn). Applicants should register, fill in the application form and upload required documents.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents to the designated email address (cuiy738@nenu.edu.cn) after submitting their application online.
1) A photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Applicants should strictly follow the items required in the form. The Form is invalid if the items are missing, or if the photo is not affixed or stamped with a seal, if it is not signed and stamped by a physician or hospital. The examination results are valid for 6 months.
2) Non-criminal record report. The report should be issued by the local public security authorities within the validity period, which should be within 6 months before the date of applying.
2. Recommendation from Recommending Institutions
The Recommending and Host Institutions shall, pursuant to the Guidelines, provide consulting, recommendation and enrollment services. Recommending institutions mainly include the following institutions.
1) Confucius Institutes and Confucius classrooms which have been in operation for more than six months. For more information, please refer to www.chinese.cn.
2) Testing centers for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) which have the right to recommend candidates. For more information, please refer to www.chinesetest.cn.
3) Oversea organizers of Chinese Bridge Competition: education and cultural offices (groups) of China’s oversea embassies (consulates), Confucius Institute and relevant educational institutions. For further information, please consult chinesebridge@chinese.cn.
According to the relevant regulations, students who pass the online interview of Northeast Normal University can apply for the Scholarship through the recommendation of NENUTesting Center for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK).
3. Review
NENU will review the eligibility of applicants and go through preliminary enrollment process. CLEC will conduct an overall assessment and grant the scholarship on the basis of competitive selection.
4. Register at NENU
Scholarship winners need to confirm with the host institutions to go through the procedures of studying in China, print out the scholarship certificate online and register at the Host Institution on the designated date as per the Letter of Admission.
5. Application Deadlines (Beijing Time) :
a) For programs commencing in July 2023, applicants must complete their applications before April 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by April 25.
b) For programs commencing in September 2023, applicants must complete their applications before May 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by May 25.
c) For programs commencing in December 2023, applicants must complete their applications before September 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by September 25.
d) For programs commencing in March 2024, applicants must complete their applications before November 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by November 25.
CLEC will entrust an expert panel to review the applications. Decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK levels and scores, geographical distribution, and other factors. The results will be published about three months before the program starts.
IV. Policies Regarding In-Service Chinese Language Teachers and Chinese Bridge Winners
a) In-Service Chinese Language Teachers
In-service Chinese language teachers may be exempted from HSK/HSKK certificates if they provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from the employer.
b) Chinese Bridge Winners
Applicants who have received the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate during Chinese Bridge competitions may submit their application documents along with their scholarship certificates to the Host Institutions directly at the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.
For any further inquiries, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.
V. Miscellaneous
a) Please contact the Host Institutions for curriculum and course listings.
b) Applicants shall be familiar with the admission criteria and application deadlines of the Host Institutions and submit necessary documents accordingly.
c) Degree students are subject to the annual assessment according to the Annual Assessment Procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
d) Students who fail to pass the pre-enrollment medical examination, withdraw from school before completing the program, fail to register at the university without prior permission, or suspend their studies will be disqualified for the scholarship.
VI. Admission & Consultation Services
E-mail：cuiy738@nenu.edu.cn
Office Number：+86-431-85099754
Address：Division of International Cooperation & Exchange, Northeast Normal University, No. 5268, Renmin Street, Changchun, Jilin, P.R. China
VII. Appendix
1. Coverage and Standard for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
2. List of Application Materials for the International Chinese LanguageTeachers Scholarship
Division of International Cooperation & Exchange
Northeast Normal University
2023.02.16
Appendix 1
Coverage and Standard for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
The scholarship supports tuition, accommodation, living allowance (excluding four-week study program students) and comprehensive medical insurance.
a) The Host Institutions use the tuition fees for the education and management of scholarship recipients, cultural programming and HSK tests. The scholarships for online programs provide support for tuition fees only.
b) The Host Institutions use the accommodation fees to provide scholarship recipients with free on-campus accommodation (typically double rooms). Scholarship recipients may live off-campus upon application and approval from the Host Institutions. Under such circumstances, students are entitled to RMB 700 per person/month paid on a monthly/quarterly basis by the Host Institutions.
c) The living allowance is paid to the scholarship recipients by the Host Institutions on a monthly basis. The monthly allowance for undergraduates, one-year study program students and one-semester study program students is RMB 2,500 per person; that for master’s students is RMB 3,000 per person.
Scholarship recipients must register with the university within the period stipulated in the Letter of Admission. Otherwise, the scholarship will be revoked. Students registered before the 15th (inclusive) of the month are entitled to the full allowance of that month, while those who are registered after the 15th are entitled to half of the amount.
If a scholarship recipient leaves China for more than 15 days for personal reasons during the study period (excluding summer and winter vacations), the living allowance during the period of absence from China will be suspended.
If a scholarship recipient is suspended or withdrawn from school for personal reasons or is subject to disciplinary action by the Host Institution, the living allowance from the date of suspension, withdrawal, or notification of disciplinary action will be suspended.
The living allowance for graduating students is paid until half a month after the graduation date set by the Host Institution.
d) The comprehensive medical insurance is purchased by the Host Institutions in accordance with applicable regulations on overseas students stipulated by the Ministry of Education of China. The insurance premium for four-week study program students is RMB 160 per person, that for one-semester study program students is RMB 400 CNY per person, and that for students studying more than one year is RMB 800 per person/year.
Appendix 2
List of Application Materials for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
A. For all applicants
a) A scanned copy of the passport photo page;
b) A scanned copy of score reports of the HSK/HSKK tests (within the two-year validity); and
c) A reference letter by the head of the Recommending Institutions.
d) A photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Applicants should strictly follow the items required in the form. The Form is invalid if the items are missing, or if the photo is not affixed or stamped with a seal, if it is not signed and stamped by a physician or hospital. The examination results are valid for 6 months.
e) Non-criminal record report. The report should be issued by the local public security authorities within the validity period, which should be within 6 months before the date of applying.
B. For degree program applicants
f) A certificate of the highest diploma (or proof of expected graduation) and an official transcript;
g) Applicants of the Scholarship for MTCSOL are required to provide two reference letters from professors or associate professors. Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China.
C. In-service Chinese language teachers shall provide proof of employment and a reference letter from the employer.
D. Applicants under 18 shall provide certified documents ofdesignation signed by their entrusted legal guardians in China.
E. Applicants shall provide additional documents as required by the Host Institutions.