A Study of the Adjustment of Research Directions in the Era of Diversification of Chinese Learners

Guo Xi and Wei Jiubao

Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2026, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (3) : 53-62.

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Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2026, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (3) : 53-62. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20260304

A Study of the Adjustment of Research Directions in the Era of Diversification of Chinese Learners

  • Guo Xi and Wei Jiubao
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Abstract

International Chinese Language Education (ICLE) is entering an era of diversity featuring the coexistence of three groups of learners, i.e., native speakers, heritage language speakers, and foreign language learners. According to surveys and estimates, Chinese-origin native and heritage language speakers account for approximately 70% of all learners, while non-Chinese-origin foreign language learners are split roughly equally between adults and young learners at around 15% for each. Previous research on ICLE has focused heavily on adult foreign language learners and failed to fully reflect its global landscape. There is an urgent need to adjust research directions to adapt to this new situation. Currently, research on native speakers remains extremely scarce and is in urgent need of comprehensive development. Studies on heritage language speakers are relatively more numerous, yet they focus primarily on heritage language maintenance, to the neglect of heritage language acquisition. In the past, research on foreign language learners has paid little attention to the growing number of young learners. Meanwhile, research on the needs for Chinese in professional and technical learning is also inadequate. Future research directions should be adjusted to focus on seven major areas: studies on the learning needs of the “three groups of learners”, studies on learning patterns, research on learning content, investigations into learning interaction, as well as the supporting research in language assessment, teacher development, and the coupling between the “symbiosis of three types of people” and the “three groups of learners”. It is necessary to proceed from reality and redefine ICLE in light of the diverse landscape of Chinese language learning. To support the adjustment of research directions, efforts should be made to promote the development of a global database of Chinese language learners for in-depth and refined research.

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International Chinese Language Education (ICLE) / Chinese language learners / heritage language learners / native speakers / foreign language learners

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Guo Xi and Wei Jiubao. A Study of the Adjustment of Research Directions in the Era of Diversification of Chinese Learners[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2026, 11(3): 53-62 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20260304

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