为发展中国与世界各国的友好关系，增进世界各国人民对中国语言文化的理解，为各国汉语学习者提供方便、优良的学习条件，中国国家对外汉语教学领导小组办公室将在世界上有需求、有条件的若干国家建设以开展汉语教学为主要活动内容的“孔子学院”，并在中国北京设立“孔子学院总部”。
一、名称
“孔子学院”的英文名称为“ConfuciusInstitute”。孔子是中国历史上的著名的思想家、教育家、哲学家，其学说在世界上具有十分重要的影响，因此该名称体现了中国历史悠久、博大精深的语言文化底蕴，也体现了新世纪中国语言文化将逐步融入世界的发展趋势。
孔子学院总部（以下简称“总部”）设在北京，具有法人地位。境外设立其分支机构孔子学院（以下简称“学院”），中文名称为“XX孔子学院”（XX为学院所在城市名称），英文名称为“Confucius Institute in XX”。其他外文名称翻译参照英语翻译。
二、机构性质
孔子学院是以传播中国语言文化、支持当地中文教学为基本任务的非营利性社会公益机构，遵守所在国的法律和法规，接受所在国教育行政部门的监督和检查。
三、业务内容
孔子学院开展具有驻在国特色的汉语教学和推广的业务，总体上可以选择进行以下的教学和推广工作：
1．包括多媒体及网络在内的汉语教学；
2．举办大、中、小学中文教师培训；
3．实施汉语水平考试和汉语作为外语教学能力认证考试；
4．开设各种类型（企业集团、留华预备、岗前辅导、考前训练等）和技能（翻译、旅游、商务、金融、中医）的汉语课程；
5．开设与国内院校相衔接的中文学历教育课程；
6．协助制定汉语教学大纲或汉语教学方案；
7．推广国内教材、推荐国内教师；
8．合作开发当地实用性汉语教材；
9．开展学术活动和中文竞赛；
10．播放中国影视；
11．提供赴华留学咨询；
12．开放图书资料信息查阅服务等。
四、机构类型
孔子学院是以传播中国语言文化为基本任务的非营利性社会公益性机构，一般应具有法人资格。孔子学院应选择人员流动大、交通方便、商企集中、较为繁华的地段开设，以孔子学院总部提供的教学模式、课程产品等作为主要教学资源，并遵照统一的教学、考试、培训质量认证体系和标准开展教学和检测。主要是向社会人士提供专门技能的汉语培训以及中文教师的教学能力培训，属于非学历教育。教学重点是应用汉语。
孔子学院也与大学合作在校内设立汉语中心，支持中文专业和公共汉语的学历教学；设立研究中心，支持关于中国问题的各项研究工作。孔子学院面向社会开展的相关教学、推广活动，汉语中心也可以有条件地进行。与大学合作在校内设立的汉语中心、研究中心或孔子学院可不必具有法人地位。
五、建设模式
孔子学院可采用总部直接投资、总部与国外机构合作、总部授权特许经营三种形式设立。现阶段主要以中外合作方式建设孔子学院，具体合作方式由孔子学院总部与国外合作方共同协商确定。
六、国外合作方应具备的基本条件
国外高等院校及其它以促进汉语教学及文化交流为目的的机构均可向孔子学院总部提出合作建设孔子学院的建议，但原则上应具备以下基本条件：
1．接受孔子学院总部的业务指导，遵循其相关教学标准；
2．具有从事语言教学、教育文化交流的相关经历；
3．熟悉所在国家和地区的汉语教学发展现状；
4．具有法人资格；
5．具备较强的经济实力和管理能力，能够为设立孔子学院进行一定的房产、经费和人员投入。
七、孔子学院总部可以提供的合作条件
孔子学院总部可以视实际情况提供如下合作条件中的部分或全部条件：
1．授权国外合作单位使用“孔子学院”称谓；
2．提供学院所使用的全球统一的标识和校徽；
3．提供教学模式和教学课程的规划设置；
4．提供“长城汉语”多媒体课件及总部授权使用的汉语教材、辅助材料、音像资料和网络课程的使用权；
5．提供学院运营模式与教学模式的培训；
6．提供统一的形象包装、宣传推广计划；
7．提供学院运作管理和发展规划的指导；
8．提供全球汉语教学信息及时沟通的便利条件；
9．派遣一定数量的教师前往任教；
10．提供一定数量的图书以建设中文图书馆；
11．为学院组织汉语教学及推广活动提供一定的经费支持。
八、组织管理
孔子学院实行理事会领导下的院长负责制。理事会由中外双方人士共同组成，院长及副院长人选由合作双方商定。
1．理事会
理事会设理事长1名，副理事长和理事若干名。理事长和副理事长由理事会选举产生。
2．院长
院长由理事长提名，理事会选举任命。院长须与理事长（代表理事会）签订定期聘任合同，明确规定院长的目标任务、任期年限、职权范围、奖惩措施和绩效考核标准。
3．双方具体协商对财务、教学、人事实行因地制宜的共同管理。
九、设立流程
孔子学院的设立流程如下：
国外合作方向孔子学院总部提交筹备设立建议方案及相关材料→总部评定合作方的资质与条件→双方互相进行考察和协商→签署合作协议→成立学院理事会→确定院长、各部门负责人→学院正式成立。
拟设立孔子学院的单位需提交以下材料：
申请信函、合作协议书（草案）、当地汉语教学的历史、现状和发展前景预测分析报告、合作方资质证明文件（法人证书或注册证明等）。
十、质量认证
为保证孔子学院的办学特色和教学质量，总部将对各学院进行定期评估，实施质量认证。
质量认证的内容包括：总院总体规模、绩效、运行管理情况、教学质量和特色、年度工作总结、发展计划等。
十一、项目联系
孔子学院项目由中国国家对外汉语教学领导小组办公室（国家汉办）负责，欢迎符合条件的各国高等院校及其它以促进汉语教学及文化交流为目的的机构提出合作建设孔子学院的申请。
（文章来源：国家汉办网站）
Introduction to the “ConfuciusInstitute” Project
Aimed atpromoting friendly relationship with other countries and enhancing theunderstanding of the Chinese language and culture among world Chinese learnersas well as providing good learning conditions for them, the National Office forTeaching Chinese as a Foreign Language is to set up “Confucius Institute” inthe world, whose major activities includes Chinese teaching in countries thathave the needs and conditions. At the same time, the “Confucius InstituteHeadquarter” will be established in Beijing.
Ⅰ. Name
The English name of this institute is “ConfuciusInstitute”. Confucius is a famous thinker, educator and philosopher in Chinesehistory. His doctrine has a very important influence throughout the world. Toname this institute after him shows the longevity and profundity of Chineselanguage and culture. It also embodies the development trend of the integrationof Chinese language and culture into the world in the new century.
The “Confucius Institute Headquarter” is to be establishedin Beijing and enjoys an independent legal person status. Its branches, the“Confucius Institute ” will be set up abroad, with a Chinese name “XX孔子学院”（XX is the name of city where the institute is located andan English name “Confucius Institute in XX”. Names in other languages will betranslated from English.
Ⅱ. Definition
“Confucius Institute” is a non-profit public institutewith a mission of promoting Chinese language and culture and supporting localChinese teaching. It abides by the local law and regulations and is subject tosupervision and inspections from the local educational administrativeauthorities.
Ⅲ. Business Line
The business lines of “Confucius Institute” are Chineselanguage teaching and promotion with a local flavor. Generally speaking, it includesthe following:
1. multimedia and web-based Chinese teaching;
2. professional training for university, secondary andelementary school Chinese teachers;
3. HSK tests and examination for certificate of TeachingChinese as a Foreign Language;
4. all types of Chinese programs (corporate program,preparation course for study in China, pre-examination training for HSK andother Chinese tests) and course of Chinese for special purposes (translation,tourism, business, finance or Traditional Chinese Medicine);
5. Chinese degree courses integrated with those in Chineseuniversities and institutes;
6. helping formulate Chinese teaching curriculum orteaching plan;
7. promoting Chinese teaching materials and recommendingChinese teachers;
8. co-developing practical Chinese teaching materialstailored for local regions;
9. academic activities and Chinese competition;
10. showcasing Chinese movies and TV programs;
11. consulting service about study in China
12. library service for reference
Ⅳ. Type of Institution
“Confucius Institute” is a non-profit public organization,usually with an independent legal person status. The locality of “ConfuciusInstitute” should be a rather busy business district where there’s a large flowof people and a very convenient transportation system. The Headquarter providesteaching pattern and curriculum products as the main teaching resources for allthe branches. Each branch will follow in their teaching and evaluation work aunified set of quality certification system and standard for teaching, testingand training. The “Confucius Institute” mainly offers training of Chinese forspecial purposes for the public and professional training for Chinese teachers.All these trainings fall into the category of non-degree education. Theteaching focus of the “Confucius Institute” is applied Chinese.
“Confucius Institute Headquarter” also cooperates withuniversities in setting up on-campus Chinese centers to support degree programslike Chinese language major and Chinese as a public course as well as researchcenters to fuel research work in the field of China studies. Based on certainneeds and conditions, these Chinese centers can also undertake teaching andpromotion activities outside the university. In such case, these on-campusChinese centers, China studies centers or Confucius Institutes set up incooperation with universities do not necessarily have to take an independentlegal person status.
Ⅴ. Founding Pattern
“Confucius Institute” can be built with direct investmentfrom the Headquarter, partnership between the Headquarter and a localinstitute, or franchise authorized by the Headquarter. Currently the “ConfuciusInstitute” will be built mainly through partnering with foreign institutes. Thepartnership mode is subject to discussion between the Headquarter and itspartners from abroad.
Ⅵ. Eligibility requirement for partners
Higher learning institutes and other organizations with apurpose of promoting Chinese teaching and cultural exchange can offer toestablish partnership with the headquarter (NOCFL) in jointly setting up the“Confucius Institute ”. However, in principle, potential partners should meetthe following prerequisites:
1. Accept operational guidance from the Headquarter andfollow relevant teaching standard.
2. Have experiences in language teaching or educationaland cultural exchanges
3. Familiar with the development of Chinese teaching inthe country and region
4. Have an independent legal person qualification
5. Enjoy strong economic and managing abilities, canprovide input in real estate, finance and resources for establishing the“Confucius Institute”.
Ⅶ. What the Headquarter Can Offer
The Headquarter offers part or all of the following inlight of the actual needs:
1. authorized use of the title of “Confucius Institute ”;
2. universal logo and emblem used by “Confucius Institute”worldwide;
3. teaching mode and curriculum planning;
4. user right to the “Great Wall Chinese” multimediacourseware, Chinese course books, supplementary materials, audio and videomaterials and web-based courses authorized by the Headquarter;
5. training on the operational and teaching patterns ofthe institute;
6. unified image package, publicity and promotion plan;
7. guidance to the operational management and developmentplanning;
8. facilitation for timely communication of informationabout global Chinese language teaching;
9. a certain number of instructors teaching in theinstitute;
10. a certain number of books to help build a Chineselibrary;
11. a certain amount of financial support for organizingChinese teaching and promotion activities.
Ⅷ. Organization and Management
The president of “Confucius Institute” works under theleadership of the Board of Trustees and is responsible for institute affairs.The Board of Trustees comprises of trustees from the Headquarter and itspartner. The president and vice-president are selected through agreementreached by both partners.
1. Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees consists of one chair, several vice-chairs and trustees.Chair and vice-chairs are elected by the Board.
2. President
The president is nominated by chair of the Board and elected and appointed bythe Board. The president needs to sign with the Chair (representing the Board)on a regular basis a contract clearly defining the president’s mission andgoals, working period, responsibilities, rewards & punishments and standardof performance assessment.
3. The two partners will discuss on how to co-managefinancial, teaching and personnel affairs.
Ⅸ. Founding Process
The founding process is as follows:
The foreign partner submits to the Headquarter a proposal and related materials→the Headquarter evaluates its qualification andconditions→the two partners exchange field tripsand conduct negotiations→a cooperative agreementsigned→Board of trustees set up→President and directors of different departments selected→official opening of the Institute.
The prospective partners need to submit the followingmaterials:
Letter of Proposal，cooperative agreement (draft),analytical report of the history, current status and future prospects of localChinese teaching and qualification certificate (legal person certificate orregistration certificate).
Ⅹ. Quality Certification
In order to ensure the special feature and teachingquality of the “Confucius Institute”, the Headquarter will regularly assess theinstitutes and conduct quality certification.
Content of quality certification includes: overall scale, performance,operational administration, teaching quality and special features, annualworking report, development plan.
Ⅺ. Contact us
The “Confucius Institute” project is to be implemented bythe “Confucius Institute Headquarter”. At the moment, The National Office forTeaching Chinese as a Foreign Language is responsible for this project. Wewelcome higher learning institutes and also organizations with a purpose ofpromoting Chinese teaching and cultural exchange to contact us for partnershipin building the “Confucius Institute”.
