Thousands of Chinese language teachers and learners are gathering at the Sixth National Chinese Language Conference in Boston, the US.
The event is co-organized by the Asia Society, Colleague board and Confucius Headquarters, also known as the HANBAN.
CRI's You Yu investigates what is drawing many Americans to learn one of the most difficult languages in the world.
Amongst the attendants is China's Vice Education minister Hao Ping.
"The national Chinese Language Conference has been running annually since 2008. It has played a significant role in promoting Chinese language teaching in United States. All of you seated here tonight have all worked so passionately in bringing Chinese to American students."
Haoping praised the increasing support from both the US federal and state government to Chinese language teaching.
Hanban is currently educating over 65,000 students in more than 400 Confucius Institutes and 500 Confucius classrooms worldwide.
Madam Xv Lin, general director of Hanban and chief executive of Confucius Headquarters is a key figure in promoting the Confucius Institutes internationally.
This is her sixth time at the event.
"I have many media friends, because some people think confusions institutes are hot potatoes not only in the US but also in China. They often ask me what is my dream? My dream is very simple. I hope one day the national language speakers will speak Chinese."
Right now there're 92 Confucius institutes and 318 Confucius classrooms in the united sates. Marisa Salatino is a high school girl who stated to learn Chinese five years ago.
"I really like both the Chinese language and culture. I think Chinese culture is totally different from our culture. The United States is a relatively new country whilst China is ancient. The contrast is very fascinating."
The growing number of students is pushing up the demand for Chinese teachers. Gao Shan started working in the states as an English teacher in 2003. She finds more and more Americans want to learn Chinese.
"More and more Americans want to learn Chinese and an increasing number of schools here want to set up Chinese classes. Teachers with better training are recruited here or from china. And the choice of Chinese text books is also expanding."
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