Levels of language proficiency
Mandarin Centers Institute is the No. 1 private Chinese language learning center worldwide and also a Hanban accredited center to host the official Chinese HSK exams in its facilities.
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is an internationally standardized Chinese language proficiency test for non-native speakers of Chinese. It consists of 6 levels. The comparison between the HSK Test, “The Chinese Language Proficiency Standard for Foreigners” and “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF)” is as follows:
HSK levels
It allows the student to understand and use a set of very simple phrases and words that serve to meet specific communication needs and prepare him/her for further acquisition of more advanced Chinese language skills. NHSK Level 1 is recommended for students who have studied Chinese language for one academic semester at a rate of 2-3 hours per week and have mastered about 150 frequently used words and the corresponding syntactic structures.
This level measures the student’s ability to use the Chinese language for direct and simple conversations on everyday matters, and to test whether he/she has reached an advanced initial level. NHSK level 2 is recommended for those who have studied Chinese language for two academic semesters (one academic year) at a rate of 2-3 lessons per week and have mastered about 300 frequently used words and the corresponding syntactic structures.
This level measures the student’s ability to use the Chinese language for direct and simple conversations on everyday matters, and to test whether he/she has reached an advanced initial level. NHSK level 2 is recommended for those who have studied Chinese language for two academic semesters (one academic year) at a rate of 2-3 lessons per week and have mastered about 300 frequently used words and the corresponding syntactic structures.
Level 4 measures a student’s ability to communicate and discuss using the Chinese language on a wide range of topics, as well as to communicate fairly fluently with native Chinese speakers. NHSK Level 4 is recommended for those who have studied Chinese language for four academic semesters (two academic years) at the rate of 2-4 classes per week and have mastered about 1200 frequently used words and the corresponding syntactic structures.
Level 5 measures a student’s ability to read Chinese language newspapers and magazines, understand and enjoy television programs, and use the Chinese language for comprehensive and complete speech. NHSK Level 5 is recommended for those who have studied Chinese language for more than two academic years at the rate of 2-4 classes per week and have mastered about 2500 frequently used words and the corresponding syntactic structures.
Level 6 measures the student’s ability to listen and understand without any difficulty or to read without difficulty news in Chinese as well as to be able to express their ideas and opinions in Chinese, both in spoken and written language. NHSK Level 6 is recommended for students who have mastered 5000 or more than 5000 frequently used words.
