LEARNING CHINESE


Introduction

The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) is a set of standardized language proficiency tests developed for non-native speakers of Chinese that has already served test-takers from more than 60 countries. TOCFL is divided into four sub-tests: TOCFL Listening, TOCFL Reading, TOCFL Speaking, and TOCFL Writing. There are three proficiency bands: Band A, Band B, and Band C, and each band is divided into two levels making a total of six levels: Level 1 to Level 6. Test-takers can choose the level that best suits their Chinese language proficiency and learning background for each sub-test they want to take.

Purpose

TOCFL test-takers will receive a certificate for each sub-test that they register for and pass. The TOCFL certificate can serve as evidence of Chinese proficiency for:

  1. Applying for a Taiwan Scholarship.
  2. International students applying for academic programs at colleges and universities in Taiwan.
  3. Overseas Chinese Students applying for admission to a university in Taiwan through the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students.
  4. Employment applications which require proof of Chinese language proficiency.
  5. Obtaining bonus points under Taiwan’s appraisal system for overseas Chinese and international students who want to remain in Taiwan to work.

Many undergraduate and graduate programs in Taiwan require a TOCFL certificate for admission or for evaluation of an applicant’s Chinese proficiency, and many international businesses that do business with Taiwan will take candidates’ having TOCFL certificates into account when they are recruiting.

Target Test Taker

TOCFL is a foreign language proficiency test for non-native speakers of Chinese. Anyone who wants to know their Chinese proficiency level, and anyone who wants to study, work, or do business in Chinese-speaking countries or contexts is welcome to register for the test.

Band
Ranking of 980
Indicative Course Hours Vocabulary
Base
In Chinese-speaking
areas
In non-Chinese speaking
areas
Band A Level 1 120–240 hours 40–480 hours 500 words
Level 2 240–360 hours 480–720 hours 1,000 words
Band B Level 3 360–480 hours 720–960 hours 2,500 words
Level 4 480–960 hours 960–1,920 hours 5,000 words
Band C Level 5 960–1,920 hours 1,920–3,840 hours 8,000 words
Level 6 More than 1,920 hours More than 3,840 hours
TOCFL TestingA vocabulary list for each level can be found online at http://www.sc-top.org.tw/download/8000zhuyin.rar

The Steering Committee for the Test of Proficiency–Huayu (SC–TOP) started to provide overseas test services in 2006 to meet the demands of numerous international learners of Chinese. Candidates can now choose to take the TOCFL tests in Japan、Korea、Thailand、Vietnam、Indonesia、Malaysia、India、Canada、U.S.A.、Mexico、Paraguay、Panama、Nicaragua、Argentina、Brazil、U.K.、France、Netherlands、Belgium、Luxembourg、Germany、Switzerland、Austria、Poland、Sweden、Slovenia、Russia、Australia、New Zealand、Burkina Faso. More overseas test centers will be added in the near future. If you need further information, please go to https://www.sc-top.org.tw/english/oversea.php.

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