汉语水平考试
Benefits of Targeting the HSK
Image by: George Dolgikh
By Hanyu Tales (30th November 2024)
The HSK, or 汉语水平考试，is the most popular Chinese proficiency test for foreigners looking to gain concrete proof of their Mandarin level. However, many learners discourage others from studying the HSK materials unless it is required, claiming that there are much better approaches. Their reasons include old-fashioned vocabulary, tedious material, and too much time spent on test-taking strategies. While these are a valid points, and the HSK is far from a perfect test of language proficiency, we believe it is a great direction for lost Chinese learners to follow.
A study which looked at the experiences of 1616 HSK participants found that the positives of preparing and partaking in the HSK outweighed any negatives; in this article, we will share the positives we believe sticking with the HSK brings. More specifically, we will explain why we believe using the well-known and widely available HSK Standard Course textbooks as your base is an excellent approach.
A study which looked at the experiences of 1616 HSK participants found that the positives of preparing and partaking in the HSK outweighed any negatives; in this article, we will share the positives we believe sticking with the HSK brings. More specifically, we will explain why we believe using the well-known and widely available HSK Standard Course textbooks as your base is an excellent approach.
Avoid Paralysis by Analysis
With the plethora of language-learning resources online—often employing contradictory methodologies—it is difficult to not feel overwhelmed while trying to devise a learning strategy. The HSK Standard Course textbooks take care of the tendency students have to fall victim to paralysis by analysis, by providing a well-rounded curriculum and concrete goal, so you can spend less time choosing and more time learning.
Endless Resources
While sticking with one textbook simplifies the decision-making process, it does not mean that you cannot (or should not) use other resources alongside it. Here are some of the best materials you can use alongside your textbook:
- Graded Content: Graded readers, videos, and podcasts that have been curated for Chinese learners are generally labelled according to their HSK level. If you know your HSK level, you can find suitable comprehensible input much more easily.
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- YouTube Teachers: If you do not like the idea of studying without guidance, you can easily find Chinese teachers covering every unit of every HSK Standard Course textbook and workbook on YouTube.
- Online Courses: Many of the most popular online courses, including Chinese Zero to Hero use the HSK Standard Course textbooks as their base, adding supplementary content alongside it to take you to true fluency.
- Pre-made Flashcard Decks: If you want to leverage Anki but hate making flashcards, you’re in luck! There are many pre-made flashcard decks with vocabulary taken straight from the HSK word lists, so you can benefit from spaced repetition while avoiding the hassle of making your own flashcards.
- Workbooks: While generally sold separately, there are excellent workbooks to go with the main textbooks. These will offer exam-style practice and further cement what you have learned in the main textbooks.
Self-study
Paying for a teacher, planning a language exchange, joining a language-learning event… These options are all great, but they cost time and/or money that not everybody has. Following a textbook means you can study whenever and wherever you want, without needing to plan it in advance. As for the HSK Standard Course textbook specifically, answer keys are available so you can check your work, while the aforementioned resources alongside other materials which offer help with grammar, exam techniques, and exemplars, are readily available. In addition, if you are using the electronic version of the textbook, you can easily take a screenshot of your work or the section you are looking at and send it to ChatGPT for some extra guidance.
HSKK Requirement
In the past, many criticized the HSK for its lack of a speaking section. Nowadays, most institutions hosting HSK exams also demand that students take part in the official speaking exam: HSKK (汉语水平口语考试). As with the HSK, you can find lots of free materials to help you practice for the HSKK too. With the addition of the HSKK requirement, taking on the challenge of increasing your HSK level will require you to improve your reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
Proof for Potential Employers
The ability to speak Chinese is impressive, but employers are fully aware that plenty of people exaggerate their language capabilities on their CV. Having an official certificate that verifies you are indeed proficient in Chinese is extremely helpful in showing you are not full of it. Furthermore, if you ever decide to study in China, many universities still demand a certain HSK level.
Closing Thoughts
If your current learning approach is working for you, we're not suggesting you must switch to the HSK method. Rather, the goal of this article is to emphasize the importance of consistency and having a comprehensive learning plan. Given the additional requirement of the HSKK, however, working systematically through the HSK Standard Course—supplemented with regular HSKK practice and leveraging abundant online resources—can offer a structured and practical pathway to success.