Confucius Institute

In this section:

• Introduction
• About Us
• News
• Events
• Meet the Team
• Learn
• Research
• Culture
• Past Events - Highlights
• Join our Mailing List
• Contact Us

Discover the Power of Mandarin Language at the Confucius Institute, Bangor University!

Find out more about our learning options

At the heart of our institute's mission lies the central focus on Chinese (Mandarin) language provision. We take great pride in offering a comprehensive array of learning opportunities, not only to schools and colleges but also to groups and individuals seeking to embrace this captivating language.

Our dedication to lifelong learning drives us to introduce the beauty and richness of the Chinese language throughout north Wales. Whether you're a student, a professional, or an enthusiast, we warmly welcome learners of all abilities and backgrounds.

Tailored Learning for All

Our classes are thoughtfully crafted to suit the needs and preferences of each learner. Whether you wish to learn as a group or individually, we have the perfect learning experience for you. We understand that every learner's journey is unique, and our dedicated instructors are here to support you every step of the way.

Unleash the Potential of Mandarin

With Mandarin rapidly becoming a global language of communication and business, acquiring proficiency in it opens doors to numerous opportunities. Whether it's for personal growth, academic pursuits, or career advancement, our Mandarin language classes are designed to empower you with essential linguistic skills and cultural insights.

A Rich Cultural Experience

At the Confucius Institute, language learning goes beyond textbooks. We provide an immersive and enriching cultural experience, enabling you to appreciate the nuances of Chinese traditions, customs, and heritage. Our classes seamlessly blend language with culture, making the learning process engaging and inspiring.

Join Our Vibrant Community

Be part of our diverse and vibrant community, where learners of all ages and backgrounds come together to embrace the beauty of Mandarin and foster cross-cultural understanding. Together, we create an environment that encourages growth, friendship, and meaningful connections.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Whether you're starting from scratch or seeking to enhance your existing skills, we have the right class for you. Explore our wide range of language programs and discover the one that suits your goals and schedule.

Connect with Us

Follow us on social media to engage with our community, share your language-learning experiences, and get a glimpse of the fascinating world of Chinese culture.

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable linguistic and cultural adventure with us at the Confucius Institute, Bangor University. Together, let's explore the power of Mandarin and open doors to a world of opportunities!

Online Learning Resources

Discover the Excitement of Chinese Language and Culture from Anywhere!

Embark on a transformational journey of language and cultural discovery. Register for our Zoom-based Chinese language courses or dive into our captivating video classes on Chinese culture.

Embrace the world of Chinese language and culture through our innovative Zoom platform and captivating video classes. Together, let's open doors to new horizons and connect with the essence of China's rich heritage.

For more details and registration visit our Online Learning Resources page.

Research

The Confucius Institute at Bangor University benefits not only from the wealth of academic excellence and expertise at Bangor, but also from that of its international partner, China’s leading law school: the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) in Beijing. This partnership has created particularly strong links in the area of law, with many collaborations taking place between CUPL and Bangor University’s School of Law.

Our core research strengths also include Law, Business, Music, Modern Languages, Linguistics, Psychology and Education – in focusing on these and forming strategic partnerships to maximise the opportunities available – we aim to develop an international research portfolio that will cross cultural, economic and political divides between north Wales and China.

Our Directors

The Confucius Institute at Bangor University also benefits from the academic expertise of its two Directors.

Research Staff

• Dr Lina Davitt, Director
• Dr David Joyner, Former Director. Visiting Professor at China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), Beijing (School of Humanities Science) and Honorary Senior Associate at Bangor University’s School of Music

Past Projects

• An ethnobotanical survey investigating medicinal plant use by Chinese population in North Wales in collaboration with Dr Sophie Williams, Lecturer in Conservation in the School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography at Bangor University, and post-doctoral researcher at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden. 
• Intercultural communication project investigating how Chinese students intergrate in UK and other European countries. The project is in collaboration with Prof. Olga Leontovich, Head of the Department of Intercultural Communication and Translation at Volgograd State Pedagogical University (VSPU), the largest teacher training university in southern Russia. 
• DynaMost - Digitisation of series of lectures on Chinese dynasties. In collaboration with Petar Miladinov, Lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Library Scientific and Cultural policies at St.Kliment Ohridski University, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Culture

Whether your interest lies in language, music, art, craft, film, cuisine, dance, costume or heritage, there’s something to suit every taste in our year-round programme of events, which aims to promote Chinese culture and cultural collaboration across north Wales.

Our public events include activities such as calligraphy, paper-cutting, musical performance, tai qi and kite painting, and we also offer cultural workshops to community groups and schools to suit requirement.

Academic research at Bangor University builds on this activity, with collaborations taking place in the Schools of Business, Law, Music, Modern Languages and Cultures, Linguistics, Education and SENRGY (School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography).

China’s highly diverse and culturally rich ethnic population is also represented, acknowledging the country’s 56 recognised ethnic groups, and exploring aspects of culture and language unique to these in relation to our own ancient and vibrant culture here in north Wales.