Proficiency tests

    HSK Chinese Proficiency Test (Held in Toronto every November)

    http://www.blcu.edu.cn/hsk2.htm

    Chinaís Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, also known as HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test, is the national standardized test designed and developed by the HSK Centre of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers (including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students form Chinese national minorities). According to level of difficulty, HSK is divided into three categories: beginning level (HSK Basic), elementary to intermediate level (HSK Elementary Intermediate), and advanced level (HSK Advanced). These three categories of the test form a comprehensive testing system, ranging from beginning to advanced level. As tests of general language proficiency, HSK is not based on any particular textbook or course of study. Therefore candidates may refer to any textbook in preparing for the test. HSK and the issuing of HSK Certificates are supervised by the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the Ministry of Education. HSK is jointly administered by the Office of the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the state Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test and the HSK Centre of Beijing Language and Culture University.

    The Components and Grading System of HSK

    The Elementary & Intermediate Chinese Proficiency Test:

      • Listening [50 questions, 35 minutes allowed]
      • Grammar [30 questions, 20 minutes allowed]
      • Reading [50 questions, 60 minutes allowed]
      • Cloze [40 questions, 30 minutes allowed]
      • Total time needed for the above examination is 145 minutes.

    Advanced Level of Chinese Proficiency Test:

      • Listening [40 questions, 25 minutes allowed]
      • Reading [40 questions, 40 minutes allowed]
      • Cloze [40 questions, 40 minutes allowed]
      • Composition [30 minutes allowed, 400-600 words]
      • Oral examination [20 minutes allowed, half for preparation and half for examination]

    Total time needed for the above examination is 155 minutes.

    Registration Procedures and Regulations:

    1. Two recent 30x40 mm photos without head wear and a photo bearing identification, such as a passport or residence permit.
    2. The appropriate fees for the test and registration (fees may differ for tests in different countries, so contact the test centre for details.† Fees for the test and registration will not be refunded under any circumstances.
    3. A candidate not near to a test centre may register by mail and should send a copy o the ID paper, a resume to include name, sex, nationality, date of birth and address, 2 recent 30x40 mm photos without head wear, and fees for the test in the form of money order.

    HSK Centre of Beijing Language and Culture University
    No. 15 Xueyuang Road
    Haidian District
    Beijing 10083, China

    Tel: 86-10-6231-7150
    Fax: 86-10-6231-1037
    Email: HSK1@blcu.edu.cn,     HSK2@blcu.edu.cn
    Web: http://www.blcu.edu.cn/hsk2.htm

    Contact in Ontario in Canada:

    Professor Hua Laura Wu, hwu1@julian.uwo.ca,
    Tel (519) 438-7224, ext. 332

    Other Linked Websites in North America:

    http://www.lsa.umich.edu/asian/chinese/hsk.html

    http://www.nyu.edu/classes/chinese

    http://deall.ohio-state.edu/chan.9/c-links3.htm#hsk

    ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Testing

    The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview is a world-renowned, standardized method of measuring how well a person speaks a language by comparing his or her performance of specific language tasks with the criteria outlined in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Speaking (Revised 1999).

    The ACTFL OPI is widely used to establish levels of language competence for purposes such as teacher certification, qualification for a special job, student placement in language and international business programs. Official ACTFL OPI ratings are accepted for credit at several U.S. undergraduate institutions.

    Through a carefully structured, tape-recorded interview that can last from 10 to 30 minutes, a trained OPI tester elicits a sample of speech from an individual. The tester monitors the speech sample during the interview to pitch the "probes" and "level-checks" appropriately. Then, after listening to the entire tape, the tester rates the sample by comparing the candidate's performance with the criteria for ten proficiency levels described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Speaking (Revised 1999). The speech sample is then blindly second rated by a different certified tester.

    Language Testing International (LTI), the ACTFL Testing Office, can arrange Official Oral Proficiency Interviews in nearly 40 languages for either individuals or institutions. Interviews are conducted telephonically and in person. Each recorded interview is evaluated and rated by two certified testers. A certificate is issued that states the interviewee's name, language of interview, and official rating. The fee for an official academic ACTFL OPI is $115.

    To request and Appointment Form or for scheduling information, contact LTI at
    †(914) 948-5100
    fax: (914) 948-0794
    Email: languageti@aol.com
    Web site: http://www.actfl.org/htdocs/programs/opi.htm
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