Comments on: Chinese Language Requirements, the HSK, and Senior Positions in China http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/ China | Business | Economy | Internet | Technology Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Management Consultants Market Research Marketing http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 Management Consultants Market Research Marketing Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:44:20 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-1668 <strong>Time Management Tips For The Busy Computer Consultant...</strong> Time management tips are essential for busy computer consultants. Time gets eaten up by everything from administrative activities to traveling to and from clients. We have found that there are three really important time management tips that you should... Time Management Tips For The Busy Computer Consultant…

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]]> By: Andrrew http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Andrrew Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:42:43 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-79 <strong>Andrrew...</strong> I was thinking the same thing... Andrrew…

I was thinking the same thing…

]]> By: Wong Joon Ian http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Wong Joon Ian Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:36:08 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-40 Paul, You might be interested in this post I wrote about the aborted promotion. http://www.chinaeconomicreview.com/editors/2007/07/24/the-tangled-web-of-the-brothers-ong-goldman-temasek-shin-corp-and-beijing/ Paul,

You might be interested in this post I wrote about the aborted promotion.

http://www.chinaeconomicreview.com/editors/2007/07/24/the-tangled-web-of-the-brothers-ong-goldman-temasek-shin-corp-and-beijing/

]]> By: James G http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-35 James G Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:06:13 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-35 This seems to be a bit of protectionism via linguistics, in that (as other posters have mentioned) an 11 is overkill, especially in an exam so heavily weighted towards writing. I think the Chinese govt would like to, as much as possible, ensure that native Chinese fill these upper level positions, even if they aren't employed by mainland firms. Ridiculous really, and likely to anger and befuddle people who have sway outside the mainland. Interesting that the govt allows "exemptions" which makes it sound like they might be given to cherry pick who they want and don't want, apparently Ong was part of the former group. This sounds like the sort of thing that might more likely exist in Korea, not China. This seems to be a bit of protectionism via linguistics, in that (as other posters have mentioned) an 11 is overkill, especially in an exam so heavily weighted towards writing. I think the Chinese govt would like to, as much as possible, ensure that native Chinese fill these upper level positions, even if they aren’t employed by mainland firms.

Ridiculous really, and likely to anger and befuddle people who have sway outside the mainland. Interesting that the govt allows “exemptions” which makes it sound like they might be given to cherry pick who they want and don’t want, apparently Ong was part of the former group.

This sounds like the sort of thing that might more likely exist in Korea, not China.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Jeremy Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:06:27 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-34 Alex is absolutely right. An 11 gives you an immediate qualification as an intermediate translator from the Chinese government. A 9 is what you need to be a graduate student doing graduate level work at a Chinese University (and graduate level work is much more linguistically challenging than business) A 6 is the qualification needed to study any major at a Chinese University in Chinese. A 4 is the qualification for some sciences and other related majors. Let me put it another way - I & a friend had taken 10 semesters of Chinese together, and the 5th & 6th semesters were already called 'advanced Chinese'. After 10 semesters of Chinese (and having lived in China for a full year), we tested a 6 and 4 respectively. The HSK is a hard-core test, to put it lightly. An 11 for a business job is a little overkill. Alex is absolutely right. An 11 gives you an immediate qualification as an intermediate translator from the Chinese government.

A 9 is what you need to be a graduate student doing graduate level work at a Chinese University (and graduate level work is much more linguistically challenging than business)

A 6 is the qualification needed to study any major at a Chinese University in Chinese.

A 4 is the qualification for some sciences and other related majors.

Let me put it another way – I & a friend had taken 10 semesters of Chinese together, and the 5th & 6th semesters were already called ‘advanced Chinese’.
After 10 semesters of Chinese (and having lived in China for a full year), we tested a 6 and 4 respectively. The HSK is a hard-core test, to put it lightly.

An 11 for a business job is a little overkill.

]]> By: Jean-Marie http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Jean-Marie Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:12:09 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-31 Actually, the exam that tripped up Ong is not the HSK, but an exam specifically devised for the banking sector ("Qualification Examination of Personnel Engaged in the Securities Industry"). It is a test of banking knowledge (in Chinese), administered by the Securities Association of China. Actually, the exam that tripped up Ong is not the HSK, but an exam specifically devised for the banking sector (“Qualification Examination of Personnel Engaged in the Securities Industry”). It is a test of banking knowledge (in Chinese), administered by the Securities Association of China.

]]> By: Jean-Marie http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Jean-Marie Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:09:50 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-30 Actually, the exam that tripped up Ong is not the HSK, but an exam specifically devised for the banking sector (???????????). In essence, it is a test of banking knowledge (in Chinese), administered by the Securities Association of China. Actually, the exam that tripped up Ong is not the HSK, but an exam specifically devised for the banking sector (???????????). In essence, it is a test of banking knowledge (in Chinese), administered by the Securities Association of China.

]]> By: Alex http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Alex Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:17 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-28 The HSK is very biased towards reading and writing (with a pen/pencil), comprehension and grammar. There is a small section on listening and no speaking. That said, the organisers of the HSK are looking into/trialing alternative exams, such as those with a business focus and/or speaking focus. While "Those who reach level 11 Chinese language fluency are deemed to be able to work in a Chinese-language work environment" level 11 is quite a lot more than is needed. Level 4 is sufficient to enter most universities to study a science related major, level 6/7 to study an arts major. To work in a business environment, level 11 is overkill (indeed many educated Chinese professionals would find this a challenge); level 6 + business terminology should be sufficient. The HSK is very biased towards reading and writing (with a pen/pencil), comprehension and grammar. There is a small section on listening and no speaking. That said, the organisers of the HSK are looking into/trialing alternative exams, such as those with a business focus and/or speaking focus.

While “Those who reach level 11 Chinese language fluency are deemed to be able to work in a Chinese-language work environment” level 11 is quite a lot more than is needed. Level 4 is sufficient to enter most universities to study a science related major, level 6/7 to study an arts major. To work in a business environment, level 11 is overkill (indeed many educated Chinese professionals would find this a challenge); level 6 + business terminology should be sufficient.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Jeremy Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:36:34 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-26 I don't see that writing with a pen or pencil is at all necessary for employment. ANY modern job requires the use of a computer. if you can type your sentiments out, then you can "write". I've never taken the HSK before, but I'm guessing there's a written portion, which for academics, makes sense, but for business/employment qualifications, seems completely outdated. I don’t see that writing with a pen or pencil is at all necessary for employment. ANY modern job requires the use of a computer. if you can type your sentiments out, then you can “write”. I’ve never taken the HSK before, but I’m guessing there’s a written portion, which for academics, makes sense, but for business/employment qualifications, seems completely outdated.

]]> By: Kaiser http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Kaiser Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:29:26 +0000 http://www.chinavortex.com/2007/08/chinese-language-requirements-the-hsk-and-senior-positions-in-china/#comment-23 I've lived in fear of the HSK for years, and fortunately have never had to take it. I can read just fine--if slowly--but ask me to actually write without the aid of a computer and I'm totally helpless. Time for a tutor? I’ve lived in fear of the HSK for years, and fortunately have never had to take it. I can read just fine–if slowly–but ask me to actually write without the aid of a computer and I’m totally helpless. Time for a tutor?

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