A Study Of The Effects Of Pre-service Training For Chinese Directors Of Confucius Institutes

Since the first Confucius Institute was set up in 2004, Hanban has dispatched 14,400 directors, Chinese language teachers and volunteers. Quality and ability of Chinese directors affects Chinese international promotion. Because of the complex situation in the service countries, Chinese directors are urgent to improve their abilities systematically and rapidly. Therefore, Hanban provides with a pre-service training intensively, to help them know about position needs and how to solve realistic issues.In this context, the study researched 2013 pre-service training for Chinese directors hosted by Dalian University of Foreign Languages. This study reviewed related literature of pre-service training comprehensively, including literature of Confucius Institutes and Chinese directors. In addition, needs analysis was also discussed in the literature part.Through questionnaire, this study thoroughly analyzed the effects of 2013 pre-service training for Chinese directors by three dimensions, namely teaching ability, managing ability and intercultural ability. The results indicated that this pre-service training has achieved the expected goals. Most of the interviewees acknowledged effects of the pre-service training. However, Chinese directors still faced unexpected difficulties without instructions. In others, this pre-service training failed to meet the realist positions needs in some aspects. Based on the discussion and analysis above, this study introduced the theory of “needs analysis” to the current training modes and concepts, with the purpose of improving present pre-service training. Based on the adequate analysis of position need and individual needs, this study put forward constructive suggestions on practical aspect,targeted aspect, managing aspect, intercultural aspect, and developing aspect, aiming to make pre-service training more effective and helpful.