380,000 People Granted Chinese Proficiency Certificate through HSK

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 26, 2002

380,000 People Granted Chinese Proficiency Certificate through HSK

The HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) has been formally held overseas for ten years and by the end of 2001, 380,000 people from 120 countries have sit in the HSK, with an increase of 47 percent over the year of 2000. The HSK has been accepted and conducted in more and more countries and turned out to be the most influential national-standard test.

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Large number of people prefer HSK

The HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) has been formally held overseas for ten years, said sources from the Ministry of Education and the National External Chinese-Teaching Leading Group, and by the end of 2001, 380,000 people from 120 countries have sit in the HSK, with an increase of 47 percent over the year of 2000.

HSK---most influential national-standard test

The world has shown a great interest in learning Chinese thanks to China's fast-growing economic development and rising exchanges in foreign trade, technology, education and culture since China adopted opening-up policies. In order to test foreigners' Chinese proficiency, China launched the HSK for special purpose, which was first held in Beijing in 1988 and set as national standardized test in 1992. After many years' studies by experts concerned it has been steadily developed into a complete system featuring elementary, intermediate and advanced three different levels. The HSK has been accepted and conducted in more and more countries and turned out to be the most influential national standardized test. Whoever passes a certain level of the HSK can be granted the "Chinese Proficiency Certificate" issued by the National Chinese Proficiency Test Committee.

The National Chinese Proficiency Test Committee has, as learned, set up 44 examination centers in 27 cities within China including Hong Kong and Macao, and 55 centers in 24 countries scattering in Asia, Europe, America and Oceania. The National External Chinese-Teaching Leading Group is planing to tap for more ways of test on Chinese proficiency and issue related application certificates.

About HSK

HSK is a national standardized test designed and developed by the HSK center at the Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers, including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students from Chinese national minorities.

HSK is divided into three categories, according to level of proficiency i.e. basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

Examinees were tested orally and on their grammar, reading ability and comprehension in the three hour examination.

More Foreigners Learning Chinese

Sources said that the number of foreigners who come to China to learn Chinese has risen by 35 percent each year since 1997, and most come from Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and southeast Asian countries.

Spurred on by China's accession to the World Trade Organization and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the number of people coming from Europe and north America to learn Chinese has increased dramatically this year. >>details

by PD Online Staff Yang Ruoqian

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