On July 4^th, 2018, Mr. Ren Hong, Distinguished Professorof the Institute of Chinese Education, Huaqiao University and Advisor of World Chinese Language Association was invited to give the academic lecture on New Chinese Immigrants and Latest Trends of Chinese Education. The lecture was presided over by Yao Min from Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College, a core member of ACLR’s Construction of the Overseas Chinese Language Resources Database project.

Prof. Ren reviewed the development history of traditional Chinese language education and changes of “Chineseness” and stated that the international situation and new immigrant policies have a great influence on Chinese education. He introduced the Chinese teaching experience in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan in detail, summarizing the following trends of overseas Chinese learning: in developed countries, Chinese education is entering the mainstream educational system, with tutorial classes and weekend classes as the main forms; Chinese education is going mainstream (turning intothe mainstream educational system), becoming international and widely used in enterprises (co-exist with English), attracting even younger children (preschool Chinese education) and getting professional (vocational and professional Chinese education training); to countries along the Belt and Road, professional Chinese education is especially worth of development. Prof. Ren deems that while the large new immigrant group brings challenges,it also presents opportunity to Chinese education. Overseas Chinese affairs departments in both Chinese mainland and Taiwan should adjust the guide and supporting policies of Chinese education, build a system corresponding with the times to help overseas Chinese children learn Chinese language and culture and integrate into the local mainstream while maintain the Chinese culture, as well as enter higher schools after they return homeland. Prof. Ren also stressed that Chinese education should keep up with the times in the Internet era. Information technology should be widely applied to assist overseas Chinese family in tutoring their children to learn Chinese.