Chinese Language Testing

An organization or individual may need a Chinese proficiency test for several reasons. A consistent test allows educators, employers, college admissions boards, and other professionals to measure comprehension and skills for various purposes. It creates fair standards for course placement, post-learning evaluation, and workplace expectations. Language proficiency tests also provide resume strengthening and proof of skill for college or career applications. 

Different tests measure specific skills using various techniques. Whether you need a Chinese writing assessment, Chinese reading assessment, Chinese listening assessment, or Chinese speaking assessment, you can find standard proficiency tests to measure any language skill. Several national and international language organizations have created tests for schools, workplaces, and other settings. Each test is unique in structure, skills measured, and proficiency levels. You can choose the best Chinese proficiency test online for your needs. 

ACTFL Chinese Testing

ACTFL is an individual membership organization created as an offshoot of the Modern Language Association (MLA). It sets industry standards, establishes guidelines for proficiency, and advocates for language education funding. ACTFL provides several different Chinese language assessments for students and professionals, including the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). ACTFL's tests focus on proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Those looking for a Chinese language test online can access ACTFL tests through LTI^®. 

OPI and OPIc Chinese Tests

Available in Chinese, the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is an ACTFL test that verifies someone's ability to speak various languages. The Chinese version is a live Chinese speaking test conducted over the phone with a certified ACTFL Tester or online through the Oral Proficiency Interview Computer test (OPIc). During a 15- to 20-minute conversation, the Tester asks a series of personalized questions derived from a survey at the beginning of the test to gauge the speaker's interests. 

Though it resembles a regular conversation, the OPI follows a strict set of standards. The Tester uses established rating scales in their assessment of the speaker. In the computer version of the OPI, an avatar provides personalized prompts instead of a live Tester. Certified Raters review the recorded test and assign a score. 

CEFR Chinese Scale and Levels

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a guide for describing a language learner's competency. Established by the Council of Europe, it validates and quantifies language ability. Its action-oriented approach measures what a learner can do with their language skills in real-life situations. The Chinese version focuses on four different kinds of activities, which are as follows.

• Reception: Language-receiving skills include reading and listening. The Chinese CEFR measures the learner's ability to comprehend spoken or written Chinese. 
• Production: Language-producing skills involve speaking and writing, quantifying students' ability to offer their side of a conversation or create written language. 
• Interaction: The CEFR test for Chinese establishes how well a learner can play an active role in using a language, including engaging in a conversation or writing original material. 
• Mediation: The test also measures how well a learner can act as a passive observer of a language, translating and interpreting. These skills may be necessary for workplace settings. 

The CEFR Chinese test also distinguishes between different domains of language use, whether personal, public, educational, or professional. For each, it specifies locations, objects, people, and any other relevant factors. The CEFR has six different levels for ranking a learner after a Chinese language proficiency test — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.

A CEFR Chinese language assessment score indicates what a Chinese learner can do with their language abilities. The detailed levels of proficiency offer clear standardization for cross-comparison purposes. 

ILR Chinese Testing

The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) provides an alternate language learning proficiency scale. The ILR is an organization comprised of multiple United States federal government agencies. In 1955, the United States military saw a need for coordinated, standardized language proficiency testing within the government. The ILR fulfills this purpose. It offers a channel of communication between agencies regarding second language studies. Most United States government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels use the ILR scale to establish certification for Chinese and many other languages. 

The scale denotes proficiency levels with a numerical value, from 0 to 5. The higher the level number, the greater the language proficiency. Level 0 means no proficiency, while level 5 means native or bilingual proficiency. Each level, aside from level 5, includes a "plus," creating 11 possible levels. The ILR issues a separate Chinese reading test, Chinese listening test, Chinese writing test, and Chinese speaking test. Each level on the Chinese ILR test scale denotes the following meanings. 

• 0, or No Proficiency
• 0+, or Memorized Proficiency
• 1, or Elementary Proficiency
• 1+, or Elementary Proficiency, Plus
• 2, or Limited Working Proficiency
• 2+, or Limited Working Proficiency, Plus
• 3, or Professional Working Proficiency
• 3+, or Professional Working Proficiency, Plus
• 4, or Full Professional Proficiency
• 4, or Full Professional Proficiency, Plus
• 5, or Native or Bilingual Proficiency

You can read more detailed descriptions for each test's level placements. Each of the four ILR tests, including listening, reading, writing, and speaking, offers comprehensive criteria specific to that skill. 

Chinese Language Testing for Organizations

Chinese language placement tests may be necessary for several organizational settings. High schools, colleges, workplaces, and other environments may need to test language comprehension. Schools administer these tests for course placement or scoring. Workplaces may require these tests if Chinese comprehension is necessary for a position. These settings must have a standardized test, ensuring each student or new hire meets the same criteria as their peers. 

Chinese Testing for Academic Settings

Academic settings may require Chinese language testing for several reasons. A standard Chinese proficiency test may allow for incoming students' course placement. It may measure students' learning comprehension in increments throughout the academic year. It could also help school administration evaluate student performance and educator success at the close of an academic year. In any case, schools may need to measure students' Chinese reading, writing, listening, and speaking capabilities. 

AAPPL Chinese Test

Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL), by the ACTFL, includes a Mandarin Chinese test. This test is unique among Chinese language tests, increasing in popularity across academic settings. Rather than relying on memorization, the test measures what students can do with their language skills, such as holding a conversation or writing an email. The AAPPL requires students to respond and react as they would in real life. If your organization needs a Chinese language test online, the AAPPL serves that purpose. 

The test measures ability levels from novice to distinguished, with several subcategories for each. These provide educators with a more accurate assessment of each student's progression. Subcategories include: 

• Novice low, corresponding with score N-1. 
• Novice mid, corresponding with scores N-2 and N-3. 
• Novice high, corresponding with score N-4. 
• Intermediate low, corresponding with score I-1. 
• Intermediate mid, corresponding with scores I-2, I-3, and I-4. 
• Intermediate high, corresponding with score 1-5. 
• Advanced low, corresponding with score A-1. 

Students can use the AAPPL test to earn an academic credit or gauge their progress in learning a language. Some schools may allow students to skip courses, earn additional credits, or otherwise benefit from a high score on the AAPPL test. 

Chinese Testing for College Students

Language testing in higher education serves many different purposes. It allows for accurate course placement, offering students a language learning environment that challenges them and teaches them new skills. Language proficiency testing is also a typical graduation requirement for students majoring or minoring in language studies. In addition, a standard test allows for program evaluation and instructor credential measurement. 

ACTFL is the authority on language testing standards in higher education settings. Assessment Raters are language professionals who have undergone a rigorous and highly selective Tester Certification Process, ensuring professionalism in ratings. Another strength of the ACTFL language testing process is its scope — the organization expands available languages often, including those that are less common in American schools. If you're looking for a standard test for college admissions, course placement, professor evaluation, or other higher education purposes, the ACTFL is an excellent resource. 

Pre-Employment Chinese Language Testing

Language proficiency testing is also beneficial for the corporate sector, which needs a standard and reliable way to evaluate candidates. A wide range of professional settings requires Chinese speakers in real-world, real-time environments. These individuals may have to meet the expectations of a near-native speaker to communicate without creating confusion or frustration. Language Testing International^® can help you determine the level of language proficiency necessary for the position you're filling. 

In association with ACTFL, LTI supports organizations' need to identify qualified candidates who have the skills to succeed in your setting. LTI uses reliable tests measuring proficiency in various language skills. Whether you require an employee who can interact with Chinese clients or evaluate Chinese documents, LTI can connect you with the right candidate for the job. 

In addition, those looking to secure employment as a Chinese speaker may seek testing to validate their skills, making their resume-listed language skills quantifiable and verified. A high score on an ACTFL test makes a candidate more marketable and competitive. 

Contact Language Testing International to Schedule a Chinese Language Proficiency Test

At LTI, we understand the demand for standardized language proficiency tests. Academic, organizational, corporate, and other environments need a fair, accurate, and reliable way to measure language learner abilities. Candidates for language-related positions must prove their skills. Students need a way to show what they have learned so school staff can measure progress and assign accurate course placement. 

LTI Chinese language fluency tests offer unmatched professionalism and accuracy for reliable results every time. Earn your Chinese language certificate, and boost your academic or professional career. Find a standard testing program for your commercial, government, or academic organization. Schedule Chinese language certification online with LTI today.