New "C.Test" vs. "HSK"

Interesting new option for those who would seek to prove their language ability in Mandarin -

"A language test for non-native speakers of Chinese will begin next month to assess their proficiency at the workplace.

The "C.Test", short for Chinese Test, is designed by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), a school that also created the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) or the Chinese Proficiency Test.

Sun Dejin, director of the university's HSK centre, said the HSK is similar to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), while the C.Test is more like the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), which focuses more on the ability of using Chinese in everyday business activities. "

Full article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-10/24/content_715153.htm



Chinese Language in the News -

"Business experts are in no doubt about how important Mandarin will become over the next few years.

BBC business reporter Mary Hennock says students speaking fluent English and Chinese are going to be the executives of the future.

"China's economy is growing so quickly and becoming so influential in the world economy that people can't afford to ignore it. People who want to be ahead in whatever industry need to think about China and learning Chinese."

-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4617646.stm