About the Institute
The Academic Confucius Institute Göttingen was established on July 2, 2014, as a joint initiative of the University of Göttingen, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), and Nanjing University. It holds a distinction unique in Germany: it is the country’s only academically oriented Confucius Institute, with a mandate centered on research, scholarly exchange, and academic collaboration alongside language education. Located in Göttingen, Lower Saxony, the Institute maintains an on-site library.
In November 2024, the Institute renewed its institutional framework by signing a new cooperation agreement with four supporting partners—the University of Göttingen, the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF), BFSU, and Nanjing University—reaffirming the commitment of all parties to the Institute’s long-term development.
Programs and Activities
Chinese Language Teaching
The Institute currently supports one teacher seconded from China and two overseas Chinese language volunteers, all working within the University of Göttingen’s Department of East Asian Studies. The teacher offers Chinese language courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The volunteers lead calligraphy sessions and language practice classes, and assist with grading assignments and examinations.
In addition to its own instruction, the Institute supports the Department’s provision of Chinese as an open elective available to students across the University, and assists a local Chinese community in running Chinese-language classes for children.
Faculty Development & Academic Research
In 2025, the Institute organized seven academic events covering a wide range of themes, including a Chinese film series, a literary symposium, workshops on intercultural education, thematic lectures, and an international academic workshop. These activities were developed in collaboration with the Department of East Asian Studies, the Department of Intercultural German Studies, the Centre for Modern East Asian Studies, and the World Literature programme—reflecting the Institute’s commitment to cross-disciplinary scholarly dialogue.
On the teacher training front, the Institute held five professional development workshops for Chinese language educators, drawing more than 70 participants. Topics included Chinese character pedagogy, classroom practice strategies, drama-based language teaching, and visual teaching methods. These workshops addressed a recognized need for specialized training among Chinese language teachers across the German-speaking region. An additional seven workshops offered hands-on experiences in areas such as children’s picture-book storytelling, Chinese ink painting, and calligraphy.
Cultural Programs
The Institute’s cultural programming is designed to engage both the university community and the wider public in Göttingen. In 2025, the Institute co-hosted a Chinese New Year celebration with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in Göttingen, and held a public open house at which visitors were invited to make dumplings, write Spring Festival couplets, and sample traditional Chinese food.
The Institute also held its annual Confucius Institute Day, as well as a Mid-Autumn Festival event featuring workshops and cultural activities that introduced participants to the traditions and significance of one of China’s most celebrated festivals.
Contact
Chinese Director: ZHANG Kai
Email: info@aki-goettingen.de
Website: www.aki-goettingen.de
Address: Humboldtallee 32, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
