Hanban to send 5,500 Chinese teachers abroad   

中国今年拟派出5500名国际汉语教师志愿者

广西2012年赴泰国汉语教师志愿者回国座谈会3月17日在广西民族大学举行。中国国家汉办志愿者中心项目官员在会上介绍说，今年国家汉办将继续扩大规模拟派出汉语教师志愿者5500人。

Nanning (CNS) -- A total of 5,500 volunteer teachers are to be sent abroad to provide Chinese language and cultural teaching resources this year, according to the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) on Sunday.

Hanban initiated the "Volunteer Chinese Teachers Program" in 2004 to help meet demand for the teachers around the world.

Volunteer selection began in January this year and all qualified candidates will be sent to various countries in May.

The program sent 4,000 volunteer Chinese teachers to 100 countries in 2012.

Hanban operates under the Ministry of Education.