Measures for Certifying Teachers’ Ability to Teach Chinese as a Foreign Language

Article 1: In order to enhance the level of teaching Chinese as a foreign language, provide better service to certify teachers’ ability to teach Chinese as a foreign language, produce more and better teachers of Chinese as a foreign language, and promote the development of the field of teaching Chinese as a foreign language, the present measures are drawn up in conformity with the Education Law and the Teachers Law.

Article 2: These measures are intended to be used for certifying that Chinese and foreign citizens who are engaged in the work of teaching Chinese as a foreign language possess appropriate skills and level of professional knowledge. Individuals who have satisfied the criteria for certification will be issued the Certificate of Ability to Teach Chinese as a Foreign Language (hereinafter referred to as the Certificate of Ability). 　

Article 3: The work of certifying teachers’ ability to teach Chinese as a foreign language is organized by the Committee for Certifying Teachers’ Ability to Teach Chinese as a Foreign Language (hereinafter referred to as the Certification Committee) on the basis of these measures. The members of the Certification Committee are appointed by the Ministry of Education. The responsibilities of the Certification Committee are to formulate testing standards for certifying the teachers’ teaching ability, standardize course requirements for receiving the Certificate of Ability, organize the testing and certification work, and issue Certificates of Ability. 　　

Article 4: Applicants for the Certificate of Ability should love teaching Chinese as a foreign language, enthusiastically introduce Chinese culture to their students, observe the law and regulations, and have a high level of professional attainment. They must have a universitylevel education with at least an associate’s degree and be able to speak Putonghua (Mandarin) well. Chinese citizens who meet these requirements must also have the equivalent of a college English test Band 4 certificate or have passed the WSK (national foreign language) examination.

Article 5: There are three grades of Certificate of Ability: elementary, intermediate and advanced. Those who obtain the elementary Certificate of Ability should have basic knowledge concerning teaching Chinese as a foreign language and be able to do basic teaching of Chinese to students whose mother tongue is not Chinese. Those who obtain the intermediate Certificate of Ability should have relatively complete knowledge concerning teaching Chinese as a foreign language and be able to teach Chinese relatively systematically to students who are not native-Chinese speakers.

Those who obtain the advanced Certificate of Ability should have a complete knowledge concerning teaching Chinese as a foreign language and be able to teach Chinese to students whose mother tongue is not Chinese systematically and professionally and be able to do relevant scientific research.

Article 6: Applicants for the Certificate of Ability must pass the following examinations:
the test for the elementary Certificate of Ability covers the subjects: basic knowledge of modern Chinese, common knowledge of Chinese culture, and Putonghua (Mandarin);
the test for the intermediate Certificate of Ability covers the subjects: modern Chinese, theory of teaching Chinese as a foreign language and basic knowledge of Chinese culture;
andthe test for the advanced Certificate of Ability covers the subjects: modern and ancient Chinese, linguistics, theory of teaching Chinese as a foreign language and Chinese culture.

Article 7: Applicants for intermediate and advanced Certificates of Ability must speak Putonghua (Mandarin) at least at the Grade 2 Level A proficiency prescribed by the State Language Commission.

Article 8: College graduates who majored in teaching Chinese as a foreign language may apply for an intermediate Certificate of Ability without taking the test.
Graduate students who specialized in teaching Chinese as a foreign language may apply for an advanced Certificate of Ability without taking the test.
Applicants who majored in the Chinese language as undergraduate or graduate students are exempted from taking Chinese examinations.

Article 9: The work of certifying applicants’ ability to teach Chinese as a foreign language will be carried out regularly every year. Applicants for a Certificate of Ability must first pass the relevant examinations and then apply for a Certificate of Ability on the basis of satisfactory examination results. The Certification Committee determines the times for registering for examinations and applying for Certificates of Ability and identifies the organizations which will take charge of these issues.

Article 10: Applicants for a Certificate of Ability must submit the following materials to the organization handling their application:
1) Application for a Certificate of Ability to Teach Chinese as a Foreign Language (two copies);
2) Identification card－original and one copy;
3) University diploma－original and one copy;
4) Certificate of examination results－original and one copy (applicants who are exempted from taking an examination must submit certification supporting their exemption－original and one copy);
5) Certificate of results of test of Putonghua (Mandarin) proficiency－original and one copy;
6) Certificate of foreign language proficiency－original and one copy.

Article 11: Design and print of Certificates of Ability is supervised by the Certification Committee.

Article 12: If an application includes any falsification or fraud, it will be denied upon verification of that fact by the Certification Committee; if a Certificate of Ability had already been issued when the falsification or fraud is discovered, the Certification Committee will annul it.
Article 13: In order to increase the professional ability of teachers of teaching Chinese as a foreign language, the Certification Committee will prepare a standardized course and syllabus for the Certificate of Ability.

Article 14: These measures go into effect on October 1, 2004. At that time, the Measures for Examining and Approving the Qualifications of Teachers of Chinese as a Foreign Language promulgated in Order No. 12 of the State Education Commission of the People’s Republic of China on June 23, 1990, will be nullified. At the same time, the Certificate of Qualification to Teach Chinese as a Foreign Language will become void; it must be exchanged for an advanced Certificate of Ability.