About the Institute
The Confucius Institute at Moscow State Linguistic University was established in March 2011 through a partnership between Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU). Located in the center of Moscow with convenient access to public transportation, the Institute operates modern classrooms and a library to support its teaching and cultural programs.
Since its founding, the Institute has enrolled nearly 10,000 students, serving learners across Moscow and beyond.
Programs and Activities
Chinese Language Teaching & Examinations
The Institute offers a full range of Chinese language courses for university students, secondary school students, and adult learners, including general Chinese at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as Business Chinese, HSK preparation, and Chinese culture courses.
In 2025, the Institute served 1,538 students: 1,218 non-credit enrollees and 320 degree-credit students at Moscow State Linguistic University—the highest enrollment figures to date. Courses are delivered in both in-person and online formats, drawing students not only from MSLU but also from Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and institutions in Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Kaluga, and dozens of other cities and regions. Each semester, the Institute organizes approximately forty placement and trial lessons to help prospective students find the right level.
CI-MSLU is Europe’s largest HSK testing center. In 2025, the Institute administered four rounds of HSK (Levels 1–6) and HSKK (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) examinations, with a total of 9,359 test-takers. On May 12 alone, 3,092 candidates sat for examinations—the highest single-day figure at any testing center worldwide that day. The Institute has been recognized as an Outstanding HSK Testing Center eight times.
Faculty Development & Academic Research
The Institute maintains a regular program of faculty development, including orientation training for newly arrived volunteer teachers, in-service workshops, and semester planning sessions for the full teaching team.
In 2025, the Institute hosted several academic lectures and exchange events, including a China Connect lecture series by Professor Huang Mei of Beijing Foreign Studies University, a session on Chinese dietary therapy and traditional medicine by Associate Professor Jiang Liqin of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, and a cultural lecture tour organized by Shandong Normal University.
Students and faculty have also participated in national and international competitions, including the All-Russia Chinese Language Olympiad for secondary school students, the CI Connection—Voice Your Chinese dubbing contest organized by BFSU, the HSK Short Video Competition, and the CI Moment global short video challenge, earning both individual awards and outstanding organization honors.
Cultural Programs
In 2025, CI-MSLU held dozens of cultural events reaching over 10,000 participants. Activities fell into three main categories:
Cultural experience programs included a Chinese New Year celebration centered on CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, an open campus day featuring traditional Chinese culture masterclasses, an immersive cultural experience for International Chinese Language Day, a woodblock printing demonstration at VDNKh (the All-Russia Exhibition Center), Chinese calligraphy masterclasses, a WWII history quiz, a Mid-Autumn Festival masterclass at Moscow No. 1517 School, and a cultural showcase at the 61st Moscow Education and Career International Exhibition.
Embassy co-organized events included the Spring Festival Gala for Chinese students in Russia, a Chinese New Year celebration on Tverskaya Square, a reception at the Chinese Embassy marking International Women’s Day, UN Chinese Language Day and Embassy Open Day, an International Children’s Day reception, a dragon boat challenge with Chinese cultural activities in Tver, and the Russia-China Education Festival.
“Chinese Bridge” competitions: The Institute sent students to the 24th All-Russia “Chinese Bridge” University Competition (David Ma placed first in the Moscow regional round and won second prize at the national final), the 18th All-Russia “Chinese Bridge” Secondary School Competition (second prize), and the Global University “Chinese Bridge” Competition (merit award).
CI-MSLU maintains ongoing partnerships with the Chinese Embassy in Russia, CGTN Russian Service, the Chinese Cultural Center in Moscow, VDNKh, and Moscow No. 1517 School, among others.
Signature Initiatives
CI-MSLU has developed a distinctive model integrating Chinese language instruction, examination services, and cultural programming.
Chinese Martial Arts as a Credit Course: Working with MSLU’s curriculum office, CI-MSLU successfully introduced a Chinese martial arts elective taught by Institute faculty—a recognized example of integrating language and cultural education.
Study-in-China Outreach: The Institute co-organizes the “Chinese Bridge” Russia Youth Summer Camp at BFSU, which in 2025 brought 52 students and teachers to Beijing. It also hosts annual Study in China education fairs and HSK-linked study and employment expos, collectively attracting more than 6,000 Russian students and parents and serving as a key gateway for Russians pursuing higher education in China.
Digital Teaching Innovation: The Institute’s project Digital Innovation in Chinese Language Teaching: An In-Class and Out-of-Class Integrated Approach via the Wayground Platform was selected as a featured case study in the 2025 Confucius Institute Digital Application and Practice initiative.
Media Outreach: In 2025, CI-MSLU published more than 120 news articles and released over 20 videos across platforms including BFSU, CIEF, CTI, the Chinese Embassy, Xinhua overseas edition, People’s Pictorial overseas edition, Sputnik, and the Institute’s Russian-language VK social media account.
Recognition and Awards. CI-MSLU has received a wide range of honors, including: “Outstanding Institution for Promoting China-Russia People-to-People Exchange” (2024 and 2025); “Excellent Confucius Institute for Media Outreach” (2024 and 2025); “Outstanding HSK Testing Center” (eight times); “HSK Global Model Testing Center” (2024); “‘Chinese Bridge’” 20th Anniversary Outstanding Contribution Award (2022); CI Moment Outstanding Organization Award (three times); BFSU CI Connection Best Organization Award (five times); and HSK Short Video Competition Outstanding Organization Award (four times). Prof. Mei Chuncai has been named an “Outstanding Individual for Promoting China-Russia People-to-People Exchange” and has been recognized as an outstanding Chinese director for four consecutive times.
Looking Ahead
CI-MSLU will continue to develop its Chinese language curriculum, expand digital and personalized learning options, and broaden partnerships with universities, enterprises, and cultural institutions in both Russia and China. The Institute will further strengthen its HSK examination services to support more Russian students in pursuing study and career opportunities in China, and will deepen its role as a platform for China-Russia cultural exchange.
Contact
Chinese Director: MEI Chuncai
Email: meichuncai@yandex.ru
Website: https://ci.linguanet.ru
Address: 6 Komsomolsky Prospekt, Moscow, Russian Federation
