GUWAHATI (ASSAM): Taiwan has conducted the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) for the first time at Don Bosco University in Assam.
Taiwan’s Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India (TECC), Ambassador Baushuan Ger, visited the University on December 11 to meet the students taking the test and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Fr. Dr. Stephen Mavely.
As a Chinese Mandarin language education hub, Taiwan developed its professional pedagogy and teaching materials in 1956 and provided many intensive training courses for the US government and other countries. Don Bosco University Assam has cooperated with the Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India since December of 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mandarin teacher, Ms. Kueimi Li still conducted online courses since March of 2020.
Ms. Li said,” a total of 20 students appeared to give the test today, and 3 of them took two levels of test. I believe this test provided a good opportunity for self-assessment of the level of learning Mandarin.”
Ambassador Baushuan Ger was glad to meet the students and praised the beautiful and eco-friendly campus when he had a meeting with Vice-Chancellor Fr. Dr. Stephen Mavely welcomed the participants and was delighted to be the only one university in North East India to host the Taiwanese Mandarin teacher. Students have a great learning experience and teacher Ms. Kueimi Li contributes not only to Mandarin courses but also organizing different cultural events for students. Ambassador Baushuan Ger appreciated the efforts and support from Vice-Chancellor Fr. Dr. Stephen Mavely and the University faculty. He also congratulated Don Bosco University Assam to be ranked 301-400 in the “Impact Rankings” by the UK TIMES Higher Education World University Rankings, which was ranked the highest among other Institutions from North East India, followed by Mizoram University and NIT Silchar.
Education Director of TECC, Peters Chen said, “The MOE Taiwan started TOCFL from 2006, which is a set of standardized language proficiency tests developed for non-native speakers of Chinese. The levels of the TOCFL corresponds to levels used by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment) and the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Thus, it provides a common basis for recognizing Mandarin language qualifications across borders. Students who passed level 3 can apply to all degree programmes of Taiwan’s universities and scholarships. Without the level 3 certificate, students can only apply to English taught programmes. The 2022 scholarship application deadline is 31st of March 2022.”
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As to Chinese learning, 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 through TECC in Delhi. We can help to conduct the test if there are more than 20 participants and the registration fee is 2000 Rupees, he added.
There are four bands of the TOCFL, including Band Novice, Band A, Band B, and Band C. Each band is further divided into two levels making a total of eight levels: Novice 1, Novice 2, and Level 1 to Level 6. Beginners can participate in the test from Band Novice. The table below sets out the indicative number, of course, hours spent learning Chinese, and the size of the vocabulary base of words learned appropriate for each test level.
