HSK Courses in London 2012
Focus on HSK 2, 3&4 Certificate in Modern Chinese
What is HSK?
China's Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, known as HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test is a standardized test at the state level designed and developed by the HSK Centre of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers. HSK consists of the basic Chinese proficiency test (HSK Basic), the elementary and intermediate Chinese proficiency test (HSK Elementary-Intermediate) and the advanced Chinese proficiency test (HSK Advanced). HSK is held regularly in China and other countries each year. Certificates of HSK will be issued to those who have obtained the required scores.
Duration
Three terms from January to December 2012.
Mode of Attendance: Part Time
Description
The part-time-intensive language programme course leads to the HSK Level 2, 3 and 4 in Modern Chinese.
Structure
The course comprises three packages.
Package 1 covers MECS Beginners to Elementary Chinese in 13 weeks, 104 hours.
Package 2 covers MECS Elementary to lower Intermediate Chinese in 13 weeks, 104 hours.
Package 3 covers Intermediate to Early Advanced Chinese in 14 weeks, 112 hours.
Students who complete package 1 successfully will be able to take the Certificate HSK 2, package 2 will be able to take HSK 3 and package 3 for HSK 4 in Modern Chinese*.
Classes run for 8 hours per week, Monday to Thursday. Classes are held between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. The program is very demanding and students will be expected to spend at least 8 hours of study outside class every week.
The course is designed for writing, reading, speaking and listening. Assessment is through a combination of oral and written examinations and continuous assessment.
*Students who achieve the level 4 HSK certificate would be recognised and accepted by both Chinese and British governments for working in China or Chinese related-organisations based in the U.K
Approximate equivalent with other recognised standards are given below for reference only.
Common European Framework
Package 1 (Ready for HSK Certificate 2 test) A2
Package 2 (Ready for HSK Certificate 3 test) B1
Package 3 (Ready for HSK Certificate 4 test) B2
Packages
Students can take a single package or two packages.
By the end of the HSK Certificate Package 1:
Writing:
Can write 550 characters which cover everyday life.
Reading:
Will have learned approximately 800 Chinese sentences.
Understand simple text on daily topics.
Speaking:
Communicate on limited everyday conversation.
Able to develop simple discussions on a range of topics.
Listening:
Able to understand limited standard speech in daily situations.
Able to understand information on basic everyday topics.
By the end of the HSK Certificate Package 2:
Writing:
Can write 1000 characters and able to compose sentences on a limited range of topics.
Reading:
Will have learned approximately 1500 Chinese daily life sentences.
Understand simple, selected text on daily topics.
Speaking:
Communicate on basic everyday conversation.
Able to develop some simple opinions and discussions on a range of topics.
Listening:
Able to understand standard speech in everyday situations.
Able to understand information on a range of everyday topics.
By the end of the HSK Package 3:
Writing:
Write simple reports and routine work-related notes.
Able to write some opinions and letters.
Reading:
Able to recognise approximately 1500 characters.
Read simple articles and understand the life topics in writing form.
Speaking:
Communicate effectively on a wide range of topics.
Express personal opinions and be able to have discussions on a wide range of social and current-affair topics.
Able to create well-structured speech on prepared topics.
Listening:
Understand standard speech on about 36 main topics which covers all work and daily life and social environments.
Able to understand general information and specific details.
Teachers
The course is taught by 3-4 fully-trained, experienced, native-speaking teachers.
Course Assessment
Students have to achieve 60% to pass. The term grade will consist of continuous assessment (40%) and end-of-term examination (60%).
Continuous assessment will be based on marked homework and tests, both written and oral. The end-of-term and the end-of-course exams will comprise oral and written parts.
Applying for the course
Download our application and payment forms, or contact us for the forms. Read the terms and conditions. Completed application forms, accompanied by the course fee, made payable to Meridian Chinese Studies, should be returned to MECS.
Fees
The fee for the HSK package 1 is £1,800
The fee for the HSK package 2 is £1,800
The fee for the HSK package 3 is £1,900
The fee for the HSK whole package is £4,900
All fees include all textbooks and HSK exam preparations.
Our prices are very competitive, especially in comparison with institutions such as SOAS who charge £10995 and King’s college London charging £11870 for their Full Time level B2 Common European Framework courses (information taken from the institutions’ respective websites).
Materials
TDR Zoom In Mandarin Everyday Chinese for Beginners 1,2&3
TDR Zoom In Mandarin Everyday Chinese for Lower Intermediate 4
A Trip to China
Text books are supplied by the MECS.
Timetable
Dates for 2012
Package 1:
9th January 2012 to 10th April 2012 - 13 weeks
No classes on 5th and 9th April
Easter Holiday, 20 days’ gap between terms
Package 2:
30th April 2012 to 7th August 2012 - 13 weeks
No classes on 7th May, 4th June and 5th June
Summer Holiday, 40 days’ gap between terms
Package 3:
17 Sep to 17 Dec 2012 - 14 weeks
School venue:
LSI 19-21 Ridgmount Street London WC1E 7AH
