A New Program in Confucius Institutes

Updated:13/12/11 11:11:04 AM CST

Confucius Institutes across the world will introduce a Chinese language learning program based on a film about a Good Samaritan in China next year.

The program includes two DVDs and a textbook, based on a film about Guo Mingyi, a 52-year-old ordinary Chinese man known for his good deeds helping the needy, according to the Beijing-based Confucius Institutes Headquarters on Monday.

Through the eight-lesson program, students can learn Chinese while watching the film, the headquarters said in a statement.

There are English, French, German, Japanese and Korean versions of the program.

Six Confucius Institutes in the United States and Germany have already tried the program, the statement said.

Guo, a worker in an iron mine in the city of Anshan in northeast China's Liaoning province, has used half of his salary over the past 16 years to sponsor the schooling of 180 children from needy families.

As a regular blood donor for the past 20 years, he also initiated a personal campaign among his colleagues and neighbors to promote blood donation.

"What Guo has done shows the good tradition of helping others, which is cherished by most Chinese people. Through his story foreigners may better understand modern Chinese society and Chinese people," said Jing Wei, deputy director of the headquarters. "That's why we decided to adapt his story into our program."

The film screened in June has gained popularity among Chinese audience. This program was jointly developed by the Confucius Institutes and the film's producer.