关键词: 国际汉语, 国家语言政策, 海外汉语的本质, 多语能力

Abstract: What is the concept of Teaching Chinese as an International Language? If we look at the nature of Chinese against the context of globalisation, we will have to treat the term Chinese as a plural. I argue that there are many Chineses in the world. The sum total of them should be called International Chinese. All Chineses are cultural resources in their respective countries. Not only there are linguistic differences among themselves, there are also cultural differences. The fundamental issue of Chinese and Chinese teaching in overseas countries concerns preliminarily the language rights of the overseas Chinese people. How should Chinese and Chinese language teaching be developed in countries outside China? This should be determined by local Chinese communities and relevant governments in the world. The discussion of the concept of Teaching Chinese as an International Language will help us to replace the traditional monolingual concept of Chinese and Chinese teaching with a new concept when teaching Chinese against the concept of globalisation, so that Chinese can be understood and developed as an international language.

Key words: Key words: Chinese as an International Language, native Chinese, International languages, national policy on languages, the nature of overseas Chinese, multilingual competence.