“Confucius Institute Cup” International Composition Competition

Purpose

To motivate non-native learners of Chinese language, enhance learners’ capability for appreciation of Chinese culture and writing, as well as to promote global understanding and exchanges between those of different nations through language and culture.

Participants

Learners of Chinese as a foreign language all over the world

Requirements for Entry

1. There will be no limits on writing language. Contributors may use Chinese or other languages.

2. The entry shall be a short story or an essay reflecting local conditions and customs or daily life of various countries; defined by a clear-cut and positive theme. No restrictions will be imposed on subject matter and style.

3. The Syllabus of the Graded Vocabulary for New HSK (Level 1 – Level 4) will be employed, with grade clearly marked (please log onto http://zhengwen.chinese.cn and http://www.chinese.cn for graded vocabulary translated into 56 languages).

4. The language shall be terse and smooth, with vivid, interesting and readable contents.

5. Original work is highly encouraged and adapted work is also welcome (but the author and reference of the original shall be indicated). Should participants infringe upon others’ rights and interests, they shall assume relevant responsibility and have their eligibility annulled.

6. Requirements for word count and coverage of new HSK Vocabulary are defined as follows:

Primary and secondary school student

Level	Length	Coverage of New HSK Vocabulary
Level 1	Less than 200 words	40% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 1
Level 2	Between 201 and 300 words	50% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 2 and below
Level 3	Between 301 and 400 words	60% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 3 and below
Level 4	Between 401 and 500 words	70% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 4 and below

College students and other Chinese language learners

Level	Length	Coverage of New HSK Vocabulary
Level 1	Less than 300 words	50% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 1
Level 2	Between 301 and 500 words	60% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 2 and below
Level 3	Between 501 and 800 words	70% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 3 and below
Level 4	Between 801 and 1,000 words	80% of words are listed in New HSK Vocabulary Level 4 and below

Participation Procedures

1. Confucius Institutes (Classrooms) launch publicity campaigns and organize students of respective Confucius Institutes (Confucius Classrooms) and college, primary and secondary school students and other Chinese language learners of the locality to participate in the Competition.

2. Each Confucius Institute or independently operated Confucius Classroom recommends 3 works for each level of HSK Vocabulary. In addition, each Confucius Institute may submit one more work for each Confucius Classroom affiliated to it.3. Each Confucius Institute (Confucius Classroom) is responsible for translating non-Chinese entries into Chinese and submitting two versions together.

4. Entries shall be submitted via Internet and each undertaker shall deliver the recommended works by logging onto zhengwen.chinese.cn before November 20, 2012.

5. Entries will be reviewed by anonymous experts online.

6. Scoring Principles.

(1) Contents of entries shall showcase the contemporary style and features of respective countries and enhance understanding among countries in the world; entries shall have clear and positive themes with real and credible contents.

(2) Entries shall be defined by humorous and vivid styles and strong readability.

(3) Language of entries shall be terse and smooth with formal expression and language complexity (sentence length and structure) shall match corresponding levels of new HSK; the overall structure is complete with reasonable layout and distinctive nuance.

(4) The length of entries conforms to the requirement for various grades specified in the “Competition Program”.

(5) Vocabularies used in entries comply with the vocabulary coverage of various grades specified in the “Competition Program”.

(6) Corresponding scale of marks will be developed based on features of various grades.

Awards

1. Primary and secondary school students

· 10 first prizes for each level (Level 1–4), 40 in total;

· 15 second prizes for each level (Level 1–4), 60 in total;

· 20 third prizes for each level (Level 1–4), 80 in total;

· 50 awards of encouragement for each level (Level 1–4), 200 in total;

2. College students and other Chinese language learners

· 10 first prizes for each level (Level 1–4), 40 in total;

· 15 second prizes for each level (Level 1–4), 60 in total;