Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) has the longest history, the largest scope and the most qualified teaching faculties of its kind in its specialty of teaching the Chinese language and culture to foreigners. Over the past 40 years, since its establishment, the university has trained hundreds of thousands of foreign students from over 160 countries who are now proficient in Chinese and familiar with the Chinese culture. BLCU has more than 800 full-time teaching staff.

Beijing Language and Culture University was founded in 1962, and was originally named the Higher Preparatory School for Foreign Students. In 1996, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, the school became the Beijing Language and Culture University. It is the only international university in China, and is highly respected. Its main task is to teach the Chinese language and culture to foreign students. As well as teaching Chinese, it also undertakes the tasks of teaching foreign languages, computer science and technology, finance and accountancy to Chinese students. It provides training courses for teachers who specialize in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and it offers pre-departure language training to candidates intending to live and work abroad.

BLCU always attaches great importance to international exchanges and co-operation. With the expansion of China’s exchanges and co-operation with other countries, the university is also increasing its co-operation and exchange programs with numerous foreign countries, and proudly boasts partnerships with 157 universities from 31 countries in the world. Joint teaching centres have been established in other provinces and cities of the country, and overseas branch schools have been set up in the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand as a remarkable result of extending this seat of learning. These multicultural experiences all help to accumulate further growth and improvement within the University.

As an international University, BLCU’s vision for the past 40 years has been to “popularize Chinese language and promote Chinese culture.” Generations of faculties have worked tirelessly to turn BLCU into a renowned International Center for teaching Chinese as a foreign language and a top training base for personnel engaged in or concerned with foreign affairs. Since the 1990s, the educational scope of BLCU has been enlarged to cover a wide range of fields including literature, economics, law, education, history and engineering.

BLCU distinguishes itself by its unique cultural atmosphere of diversity, which attracts a large number of students from both home and abroad. Since the founding of the University over 40 years ago, more than 60,000 students from over 160 countries and regions have stepped out confidently into the world from here. Some have become distinguished diplomats, sinologists and journalists; 14 have worked as foreign ambassadors to China and more than 30 are diplomats working in the embassies to China. Moreover, BLCU has successfully turned out more than 3,000 qualified Chinese graduates, who are now playing an active role in the fields of education, diplomacy and the management of foreign affairs. In addition, more than 30,000 people have received intensive language training here before going abroad to take up leading posts or staying in China to become the backbone of various fields and sectors of business.