Chinese Language Proficiency Levels
The Chinese language is the world’s longest surviving written language, dating back at least 6,000 years. Simplified characters are used mostly by Chinese people in China. It is also taught in Mandarin-Chinese classes around the world. These characters are less complicated than traditional Chinese characters, with fewer pen-strokes.
While everyone can learn the Chinese language, being a professional Chinese speaker is a must for which all levels of its proficiency study must be completed. We'll examine the five levels of Chinese learning later in the blog.
What Is HSK?
HSK stands for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, which translates to the “Chinese Proficiency level Test” in the Mandarin language system.
HSK is a series of tests for non-native Chinese speakers to certify their understanding of Mandarin Chinese, as the name implies. It comprises six separate levels of independent tests. HSK certifies your proficiency based on which level you pass, ranging from HSK1 to HSK6. And, because HSK is generally recognised and respected, people can instantly assess your Chinese skills if you mention your HSK level.
What Are the Six HSK Levels?
HSK has six levels: HSK1, HSK2, HSK3, HSK4, HSK5, and HSK6. In order to effectively and efficiently, HSK1 is the lowest and HSK6 is the highest.
HSK1 and HSK2 correlate to extremely fundamental Chinese skills, according to Hanban, the HSK organiser. The HSK3 and HSK4 exams then introduce more advanced Chinese knowledge. Finally, HSK5 and HSK6 are indicators of advanced Chinese ability and fluency.
Hanban provides short descriptors for the six HSK levels and describes what you can achieve at each level because language proficiency is very subjective.
HSK1
Simple words and phrases are easy for you to understand and employ.
HSK2
On everyday themes that you are familiar with, you can communicate effectively and timely manner.
HSK3
In everyday life, school, and business, you can communicate effectively. When travelling in China, you can communicate with most people.
HSK4
You can talk about a variety of topics in Chinese and communicate smoothly with native Chinese speakers in everyday scenarios.
HSK5
You can read Chinese newspapers, publications, journals and can watch Chinese films and TVs, and can compose and deliver a full speech.
HSK6
You can readily comprehend what you read and hear, so you can express yourself fluently in both written and spoken Chinese.
The duration of effort you devote to learning Chinese on a daily basis has a significant impact on how long it will take you to master the language. You don’t have to study for ten hours every day. Without requiring half a decade, learning half an hour or an hour per day will get you to a conversational level. You should master the following Chinese words according to your level during these specified hours of learning:
Levels Words required to know Characters you required to know
HSK 1 150+ 150 (optional)
HSK 2 300+ 300 (optional)
HSK 3 600+ 600
HSK 4 1200+ 1000
HSK 5 2500+ 1500
HSK 6 5000+ 2500
When it comes to learning a foreign skill, there are four fundamental abilities that you must have in order to communicate effectively. Listening is normally learned first, followed by speaking, reading, and lastly writing. Those are all classified as “linguistic abilities.”
Most language assessments around the world are meant to examine all four language skills, but HSK is not one of them. HSK is a completely written exam that focuses solely on listening, reading, and writing, with no speaking portion. Based on HSK levels and outcomes, there is no method to assess a test-speaking taker’s skills.
If you want to validate your spoken Chinese proficiency, you must take another test called HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi, or “Chinese Proficiency Spoken Test”). HSKK, developed by Hanban, is a relatively new test that examines learners’ accents and tones as well as their fluency and clarity.
HSK is only required if you wish to determine your Chinese proficiency level. HSK levels are just an extra tool to help with Chinese learning in a more informal learning atmosphere, or if you’re just studying Chinese as you enjoy it.
As an outcome, if your Chinese learning goal does not align with the HSK scale, you will need to find another method, and you do not require an academic or professional certificate, then you can safely ignore it. The single thing that really matters in the actual world is your true language ability, not your exam grade.
Finally,
We discussed different levels of Chinese learning before in this blog. You can achieve these levels by following a proper study schedule, being committed to learning, and, most importantly, remaining constant throughout your studies. You can also subscribe to different online courses such as Multibhashi to expand your learning of the Chinese language.