Enrolment is open until 12 August for the Mandarin Chinese courses offered by the Confucius Institute at the Universidad de La Frontera. The academic programme invites members of both the regional and wider Chilean community to explore the Chinese language and culture through structured learning, from beginner to advanced level, during the second semester of 2026.

Designed for learners aged 14 and over, the Mandarin Chinese courses combine interactive classes taught primarily by native-speaking instructors, access to digital learning resources and a range of cultural activities, providing a comprehensive educational experience that concludes with the award of an official certificate issued jointly by the Confucius Institute at UFRO and the Universidad de La Frontera.

By integrating language teaching with its broader cultural context, the Confucius Institute promotes immersive learning experiences through workshops, conversation clubs, traditional celebrations and other intercultural activities that enrich the learning process.

The Executive Director of the Confucius Institute at UFRO and Director of the Office of Outreach and Community Engagement at the Universidad de La Frontera, Dr Paula Astudillo Díaz, highlighted that this initiative contributes to strengthening international engagement while expanding access to new educational opportunities for the community.

“As a public, state and regional university, we seek to bring different cultures closer together and create learning opportunities that broaden horizons and strengthen the competencies of both our students and the wider community”, she said.

Meanwhile, the Academic Director of the Confucius Institute at UFRO, Xiaoshen Chen, explained: “The courses are designed to provide progressive instruction in the Chinese language and culture, aligned with international academic standards and delivered through a communicative and intercultural approach that strengthens the ties between Chile and China”.

The academic programme is offered in both on-campus and online formats, with a duration of between 14 and 16 weeks. Among its benefits, tuition and course fees are fully waived for students enrolled in primary education, secondary education and undergraduate programmes. In addition, staff members of the Universidad de La Frontera and Alumni UFRO are exempt from the enrolment fee.

Places are limited and will be allocated in the order in which registrations are received and all required documentation has been submitted. Classes are scheduled to begin on 17 August 2026.

Enquiries may be directed to institutoconfucioufro@ufrontera.cl. Further information is available through the official social media accounts @confucioufro and @vinculacion_ufro.

María Carolina Oyarzún Varas
Office of Outreach and Community Engagement