The Research Center for Language Education in Ethnic Areas of East China Normal University (ECNU) was established in 2018, headed by Professor Zhang Jianmin. Since its inception, the Center has taken full advantage of the University's strengths in language education, brought together experts in language education and information technology to build a platform to promote the development of language education in ethnic areas, and forge closer cooperation with local governments.

In 2019, the Center adopted a problem-oriented approach and introduced an original model to empower poverty alleviation through Putonghua promotion. With the successful pilot of the National General Language Teaching Ability Enhancement program for minority teachers in Zepu County, Xinjiang, it received great attention from the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government. In 2020, the Center provided teaching guidance for the Online Demonstration Training for Teachers in 52 Poverty-stricken Counties to Improve Proficiency in the National Common Language in 50 universities, thus promoting and applying the ECNU model nationwide and serving as a model for empowering poverty alleviation through Mandarin promotion during the epidemic. In 2021, the Center was in charge of the overall planning of the Demonstration Training of Putonghua for Kindergarten Teachers in Rural Ethnic Areas, thus contributing to rural revitalization by playing a leading role in Mandarin promotion.