Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language

The Steering Committee for the Test Of Proficiency-Huayu (SC-TOP) was established in November 2005 under the direction of the Republic of China's Ministry of Education. Originally called the Chinese Language Testing Center and renamed in January 2007, the Committee aims to develop and promote an effective Chinese assessment system, mainly the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL), for Chinese learners worldwide to assess their Chinese proficiency.

The SC-TOP has the following major missions:

• To design and plan the test contents of the TOCFL and CCCC exams
• To build test item pools for the TOCFL and CCCC exams
• To develop computer-based Chinese proficiency testing systems
• To promote Taiwan's Chinese proficiency tests for non-native speakers of Chinese
• To increase the exchange among Chinese proficiency testing organizations worldwide

The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) is a standardized language proficiency test developed for non-native speakers of Chinese. It is the result of a joint project of the Mandarin Training Center, the Graduate Institute of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, and the Psychological Testing Center of National Taiwan Normal University. The research project started in August 2001, and the tests started to be conducted in 2003. So far, it has served test takers from over 60 countries. The new version of TOCFL is developed since 2008, to become available in 2013.

The new version of the TOCFL has four proficiency bands: Novice, Band A, Band B, and Band C. Each of the bands has two levels. Therefore, there are a total of eight levels: Novice 1 and 2, followed by Levels 1 to 6. The items on the test of each level are 50 multiple choice items, to be answered in 60 minutes. Test takers can choose the test levels best suited to them based on their Chinese language proficiency and learning background. The former version (until 2013) had only five levels.

TOCFL test takers who reach the level requirements will receive a certificate, which can serve as a credential of proficiency in Chinese for:

• Applying to the Taiwan Scholarship.
• Applying to academic programs at colleges or universities in Taiwan, as a reference for the subject of Chinese.
• Providing a job-required proof of language competency.

Currently a lot of undergraduate and graduate programs in Taiwan adopt the TOCFL certificate as the requirement for admission or as the evaluation of an applicant's Chinese proficiency. In addition, many international businesses in Taiwan, such as LG, adopt TOCFL as a reference for their employee dispatch programs. Several overseas companies also refer to candidates’ TOCFL certificates when recruiting.

The TOCFL is intended for non-native speakers of Mandarin. Those who wish to know their level of Mandarin Chinese proficiency, and those who want to study, work, or do business in Mandarin Chinese-speaking countries or contexts are welcome to register for the test. The following table sets out the suggested learning hours of Mandarin Chinese, and suggested vocabulary base at each test level.

Please note:

1. The suggested number of course hours learning Mandarin Chinese required by overseas test-takers may need to be doubled. For example, the table indicates that Level 2 test-takers who take Mandarin Chinese courses in a Chinese-speaking country need to have completed 240–360 course hours. People taking courses in countries where other languages are spoken generally require 480–720 hours.
2. The suggested vocabulary list for each level can be found online at the official site.

It is difficult to directly compare the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi with the TOCFL.

Unlike TOCFL, HSK has only six levels. The six HSK levels and the six Band A, B and C TOCFL levels all claim that these levels are equivalent to the six CEFR levels. However, for each test, the number of words or characters required differs, with TOCFL generally requiring more vocabulary at each level. The German, Italian and French associations of Chinese language teachers argue that HSK level 6 is equivalent to CEFR level B1/B2/C1 (about TOCFL Level 4) and reject Hanban's claim.[2]

TOCFL tests four language skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.

Aside from being available in Taiwan, SC-TOP has been providing overseas testing services since 2006. However, compared to the HSK exam, the number of test locations is somewhat limited. According to the SC-TOP's official website, the test can be taken in the following 21 countries:

• Asian Pacific — Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam
• Central and South America — Nicaragua, Paraguay
• Europe — Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland
• North America — Canada, United States

Out of these states, two recognize the Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China: Nicaragua and Paraguay.

• Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) – the Chinese language test used in Mainland China
• ZHC – a Chinese language test intended for native speakers in Mainland China
• Test of English as a Foreign Language
• List of language proficiency tests

• Steering Committee for the Test Of Proficiency-Huayu