Qingdao Explained: Beaches, Beer, and the German Footprint on a Chinese Coastal City
Qingdao is often sold in three easy images: sea breeze, cold beer, and red-roofed streets that look a little bit European. For first-time visitors, that
HSK exam—the internationally recognised standard for Mandarin proficiency. Exciting changes are coming soon to the HSK, marking the first significant update in over a decade. These changes will affect how learners around the world approach Mandarin, and it’s essential to understand them as you plan your language journey. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the upcoming revisions and how they could impact your learning experience.
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick look at the key changes in the new HSK structure:
Now, let’s dive deeper into why these changes are happening and how they might affect you.
The HSK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is a widely recognised Chinese proficiency test that assesses non-native speakers’ ability to read, write, and understand Mandarin. While the current version of the HSK was released in 2010 and consists of six levels, there was an older, more challenging version that contained 11 levels.
The original 11-level HSK, introduced in 1992, was designed for advanced learners, especially those from China’s ethnic minority groups or from other Asian countries. This version of the test was significantly harder than today’s six-level HSK, including advanced grammar, obscure vocabulary, and cultural references.
In 2010, the HSK was revised to make it more accessible to non-Asian learners. The current six-level system was a success, making the test more approachable and leading to its rise in popularity. However, there has been criticism that the current HSK is too easy. Some argue that even those who pass the highest level (HSK 6) may not yet be truly proficient in Mandarin.
Many educators outside China also question the HSK’s claim that its six levels align with the widely respected Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For instance, while HSK 6 is said to be equivalent to the CEFR’s C2 level (advanced proficiency), most educators feel it aligns more with a B2 or C1 level (intermediate to upper-intermediate).
The main reason for the upcoming HSK revision is to address this gap and ensure the new HSK is more in line with internationally accepted language proficiency standards.
| Words 词汇 | Characters 汉字 | |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 6 | 5,000 | 2,663 |
| HSK 5 | 2,500 | 1,685 |
| HSK 4 | 1,200 | 1,064 |
| HSK 3 | 600 | 617 |
| HSK 2 | 300 | 347 |
| HSK 1 | 150 | 174 |
In May 2020, the International Chinese Language Test Office announced via social media that both the HSK and the underlying Chinese language proficiency standards would undergo reform. More details have since emerged, giving us a clearer picture of what to expect.
The new HSK will consist of three broad stages: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each stage will have three levels, making a total of nine levels. This is a significant change from the current six-level system.
At the advanced stage, all students will take a single exam. Based on their performance, they will be assigned to either level 7, 8, or 9. This shift is intended to better assess students’ true proficiency, especially at the higher levels.
The advanced stage is primarily aimed at students pursuing master’s or PhD programs in China or those specialising in Chinese language studies or related fields.
The new HSK will roll out gradually. The advanced stage (levels 7-9) is scheduled to launch in July 2022. The beginner and intermediate levels (HSK 1-6) will remain unchanged for now, with revisions expected between 2024 and 2026.
Although the full details of the new HSK are not yet available, we can make some educated guesses based on official announcements and the structure of the current HSK. The new HSK will continue to assess listening, reading, and writing skills, but a new fourth skill—translation—will be introduced.
In the intermediate and advanced levels, students will be required to translate Chinese into English and vice versa. This new translation section will be a significant addition, particularly for advanced learners.
Additionally, students will likely face a more extensive vocabulary list. Although the exact vocabulary requirements haven’t been released yet, the new HSK will likely be much more challenging than the current version, requiring mastery of more words and characters at each level.
The launch of the new HSK will be a positive development for Chinese learners, as it will encourage students to reach higher levels of proficiency. The introduction of more challenging levels will push learners to expand their knowledge and refine their skills.
This shift will also inspire innovation in how Mandarin is taught, both in China and internationally. Educators will need to develop new strategies to help students succeed in this more rigorous testing environment.
Aligning the HSK with international standards may also enhance the test’s recognition and credibility outside China, making it a valuable certification for global career prospects.
If you’ve already taken the current HSK, you might be worried about whether your scores will soon become invalid. Fortunately, any changes to the existing HSK levels will be phased in over several years, so your scores will remain valid for quite some time.
If you’ve passed the current HSK 6, you might feel frustrated about not being able to claim mastery under the new system. However, you can view the advanced stage as a new challenge—an opportunity to push your Chinese skills to even greater heights.
At Learn Chinese Perth, we’re committed to helping students navigate these changes and succeed in their Mandarin learning journey. Whether you’re preparing for the new HSK or just starting your language adventure, our personalised courses will support you every step of the way.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the new HSK or our courses—we’re here to help!
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