Application Guide for the 2022 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship BRI - Local Chinese Language Teacher Improvement Program, Sun Yat-sen University

In accordance with the Management Guide for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (Revised), the 2022 Application Guide for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship BRI - Local Chinese Language Teacher Improvement Program published by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and the actual conditions of SYSU, this guide is formulated as follows:

I. Introduction

For the purpose of further training the overseas Chinese Language teachers and their backup, building a team of outstanding local teachers with superb teaching abilities in accordance with the development of international Chinese Language education, and promoting the quality and efficiency of international Chinese teachers programs, Confucius Institutes, independently operated Confucius Classrooms, certain HSK test centers, Chinese language (education) departments of foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language instruction of other countries, Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (collectively “recommending institutions”) may recommend outstanding students and currently-employed Chinese language teachers to pursue a Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (it is shorted for MTCSOL) in the  International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship BRI - Local Chinese Language Teacher Improvement Program 2022, Sun Yat-sen University. The program commences in September 2022 and offers scholarships for a maximum of two academic years.

Ⅱ. Eligibility

1. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens.

2. Applicants should be full-time or part-time Chinese teachers, fresh graduates of Chinese international education or other Chinese related majors. from countries under the BRI initiative and those that have incorporated Chinese into their national education system, and the applicants who provide a work contract with a prospective teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or a proof to the same effect.

3. Applicants shall not be over 45 years old.

4. Applicants should have an HSK (level V) certificate (with 210 points or above) and as well as an HSKK (Intermediate) certificate (with 60 points or above).

Ⅲ. Scholarship Coverage and Standards

The scholarship covers tuition fee, accommodation fee, living allowance and comprehensive medical insurance expenses.

1. Under the overall planning of SYSU, the tuition fee is used for the education and management of scholarship recipients, organizing cultural activities as well as Chinese language proficiency tests. Tuition fee does not cover textbook expenses and tickets for scenic spots.

2. Under the overall planning of SYSU, the accommodation fee allows students to enjoy on-campus apartments (usually double rooms). Students may also apply to live off campus upon the permission of the university. Those who live off campus are entitled to accommodation allowance of 700 RMB per person/month paid on a monthly/quarterly basis from SYSU.

3. Living allowances are granted by SYSU on a monthly basis. For MTCSOL students, the monthly allowance is 3,000 RMB per person. Scholarship recipients are required to complete enrollment procedures for every semester within the stipulated period; otherwise, their scholarships may be canceled. Students who are enrolled before the 15th (including the 15th) of the month are entitled to the full allowance of that month, whereas those enrolled after the 15th of that month are only entitled to half of the amount. During their study period, allowances will be suspended for any student who has been absent from China for personal reasons for more than 15 days (winter and summer holidays not included),. Allowances will be terminated on the date of the suspension, dropping out or the announcement of the decision of such punishment for those who have suspended study or dropped out of school for personal reasons, or who have been given disciplinary punishment by SYSU. Living allowances for the month of graduation will be granted half a month after the date of graduation or expiration day of the study confirmed by SYSU.

4. Comprehensive medical insurance is managed in accordance with relevant regulations for studying in China stipulated by the Ministry of Education of China. Insurance premium per person is 800 RMB per academic year.

Ⅳ. Application Procedures

Online application in the CIS Application System. From March 1st to May 15th, 2022, applicants can log onto the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website (http://cis.chinese.cn) to apply for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship BRI - Local Chinese Language Teacher Improvement Program 2022 (see Figure.1). After logging in, applicants should (1) fill in recommending institutions and SYSU, (2) choose “the Master program in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages - BRI” and submit application materials online (see Figure 2), (3) keep their phone or mobile open and check their email and application system regularly. SYSU will inform applicants to submit their application materials to the International Students Management System of Sun Yat-sen University via email. Applicants are required to visit the SYSU Office of International Students’ Affairs (http://iso.sysu.edu.cn) for online application. Please choose “APPLY ONLINE” accordingly, register and log in. Applicants should then select the project: International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship BRI - Local Chinese Language Teacher Improvement Program 2022. Fill in relevant information correctly and completely before uploading the application materials. Applicants should follow the application status, review comments and scholarship review results. Scholarship recipients should confirm with SYSU on the paperwork for studying in China, and print the scholarship award certificate online by themselves.

Figure.1 Log onto the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website (http://cis.chinese.cn) to apply for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship BRI - Local Chinese Language Teacher Improvement Program 2022

Figure.2 The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website - Scholarship - “Master’s program in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages - BRI”

V. Application Materials

1. Valid ordinary passports of countries along BRI (Applicants staying in Chinese mainland at the time of application should provide the current valid visa page or residence permit page, and the entry seal page. Those who have given up their original Chinese citizenship and become foreign citizens must also provide a certificate of cancellation of household registration, or a certificate of giving up Chinese citizenship, or an official document certifying that he/she has no Chinese citizenship issued by the Chinese diplomatic representation and consular authorities).

2. Bachelor’s degree certificate ( Fresh graduates who hold a pre-graduation certificate from their current school must submit a scanned copy of the degree certificate before September 1, 2022. Applicants who have graduated from institutions outside of the Chinese mainland must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education).   

 3. Complete transcripts of undergraduate studies

4. Language proficiency certificate (Applicants should submit score reports of an HSK (level V) certificate (with 210 points or above) and an HSKK (Intermediate Level) certificate (with 60 points or above) for the last two years. Currently-employed Chinese language teachers can be exempted from submitting their Chinese Language Proficiency Test (HSK) certificates if they can provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from their previous employer. 

5. Two Letters of recommendation from professors or associate professors.

6. Recommendation Letter from recommending institutions. Currently-employed Chinese language teachers should submit Certificates of Employment as Chinese language teachers and Recommendation Letter from their employer. Fresh graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Chinese language teaching or other related majors should provide work agreement of the prospective employer after graduation.

7. Personal statement in Chinese (including knowledge of the discipline applied for and a research proposal of approximately 3,000 characters).

8. Physical examination and blood test results (see Attachment 1 for the template. The results are valid for 6 months and should be in English or Chinese and stamped with the hospital’s official seal).

9. Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (please consult local relevant authorities for issuing official and valid documents with stamps).

10. International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application form (Applicants should fill in the scholarship application form as required. Please sign and scan before uploading.)

11. Other supporting documents (award certificates or proof of experience)

12. Commitment letter (see Attachment 2 for the template). Applicants should pledge that the application information is true, legal and valid. Please print and sign before uploading).

13. Personal Information Form (automatically generated by the International Student Management System. Please print and sign before uploading).

Note: Application documents must be the original ones in Chinese or English. If the documents are in other languages, the original documents and notarized Chinese or English translation of the documents must be attached. Please make sure that the applicant’s email address, WeChat number and contact phone number filled in on the system are accurate. We will send a notice of supplementary documents via email at admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn. Applicants are responsible for unsuccessful applications caused by failure to submit supplementary documents in time, notarized certificates not meeting the requirements or incorrect contact information.

 Ⅵ. Application Time

March 1st to May 15th, 2022

Ⅶ. Policies Regarding Currently-Employed Chinese Language Teachers and Chinese Bridge Award Recipients

1. Currently-employed Chinese language teachers

Currently-employed Chinese language teachers applying for the scholarships can be exempted from submitting Chinese Language Proficiency Test (HSK) certificates if they can provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from their employer.

2. Chinese Bridge Award Recipients

Applicants who have won the 2022 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate in various Chinese Bridge competitions should submit their application materials along with their scholarship certificates to SYSU on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website (http://cis.chinese.cn).

For further inquiry, please contact us at chinesebridge@chinese.cn.

Ⅷ. Others

1. Admitted students are required to participate in the annual review. For details, please refer to the Methods for the Annual Review of International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship. Those who fail to pass the annual review will be suspended or disqualified from receiving scholarship.

2. Admitted students must follow the time set by the school for check-in and registration procedures. Those who fail to register on time or pass the physical examination for enrollment, withdraw from university midway or suspend their studies without permission will be disqualified from receiving scholarship.

IX. Contacts

Division of Test and Scholarships at the Center for Language Education and Cooperation

Tel: 86（10）58595727

Email: scholarships@chinese.cn

Website: http://cis.chinese.cn

Office of International Students’ Affairs, Admissions Office of Education administration, Sun Yat-sen University

Website: http://iso.sysu.edu.cn

Online Application Website: https://apply.sysu.edu.cn/login

Email：admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Enquiry Tel: 0086（20）84110819

Supervision Department Tel: 0086（20）84115582

Fax: 0086（20）84115621

Address: Office of International Students’ Affairs, Admissions

Office of Education administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Building 524, Northwest District, No.135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, P.R.China.

Zip code: 510275