The Chinese Proficiency Test for non-native speakers, better known as the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), will be modified in 2007. Practical use of the language will be given more weight in the test, the HSK center of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) announced in a news conference last week.
The new HSK will put more emphasis on the individual’s overall language ability and communcation skills, such as the ability to speak Chinese under specific situations, instead of just testing listening, reading and grammar skills. There will be an additional section on oral and writing ability, while there will be fewer questions for the listening and reading sections.
The scoring system, currently at 11 levels, will be simplified to three: beginners (HSK Basic), elementary to intermediate (HSK Elementary-Intermediate) and advanced (HSK Advanced).
“The reformed HSK will be launched in 2007 with an oral test and essay writing section added,” Sun Dejin, director of the BLCU’s HSK Center, said. The HSK center will provide examinees h information on the new test, Sun added. “The reform is based on research and surveys, including studies of linguistics and psychology, as well as communication with foreign experts.n April 2007, both the old and new HSK tests will be conducted and examinees can choose to take one or both. The old HSK test will be phased out in 2008.
The HSK is a national standardized test to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers including foreignersand students from China’s ethnic minorities.
