Chinese volunteers have been sent abroad to teach Mandarin over the past four years

[Francis Hult]

China Daily

 

World-class volunteers

 

Nearly 4,000 Chinese volunteers have been sent abroad to teach Mandarin over the past four years, according to Hanban, the office of Chinese Language Council International.

 

The number of teachers last year rocketed to 1,426 - a significant jump from 232 in 2004, when the idea of sending Chinese-teaching volunteers overseas was launched. Today, they work in 42 counties.

 

The three countries with the highest number of volunteers in 2007 were Thailand (650), the Philippines (177) and the United States (156).

 

Last month, Hanban delegations were sent to five Asian countries, such as Nepal and Mongolia, to convey festival greetings to the volunteers and investigate their working environments.

 

The current number of students and professionals studying Mandarin is 40 million worldwide. About 100 nations have set up Mandarin courses through various teaching institutions, according to Hanban.

 

Full story:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2008-02/26/content_6485600.htm

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