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Q: Is it worth studying for the HSK exams?
I've been learning Chinese on & off for a few years now but my level is still only really just above survival standard. I know that after 5 years it should be better.
So I'm looking to have lessons again but as part of them want to improve my reading. Currently I know about 200 characters (which isn't much).
I can can be a bit lazy with studying if there isn't a target so was thinking to start with an aim to work my way through the HSK levels, from level 1 upwards.
Has anyone studied Chinese this way & do you think it would be a structured way to get more into the language? Any other benefits of taking the HSK exams? I'm in GZ btw so will be easy to find courses/teachers.
9 years 15 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
I'm not an expert I be only been learning for one year. My friend and former boss who's been in china for 11 years and speaks it fluently, told me it is a really good way to learn. These exams structure learning and pressures you into studying. I know that for some jobs it is a requirement to have a certain hsk level. Some of the bigger companies ask for it. To be a translator for the British government for example you need to have passed all hsk exams. In short it's a good way to study I've heard and useful. I ll be doing them myself
I'm studying HSK 4 at the moment. Definitely worth doing structured Chinese learning with a proper teacher. Find someone who is qualified to teach Chinese as a second language.
I've been doing it myself and it helps but its not nearly enough. In addition to doing this, if you are in China and have the time I suggest you may try to hire a Chinese to go out with you once a week to a few places like museums and restaurants and help you read the signs and characters you don't recognize. Doing this will help you improve quickly. After a while you'll remember most characters.
Hotwater:
My wife is Chinese & I do ask her to explain characters to me which is why I'm slowly improving. I also use Memrise app but not as often as I should!
I've been thinking about doing that too. Because my speaking level is higher than my reading and especially writing level. But I don't know where to begin, and every time i think about finding a Chinese teacher...I realize that it's going to end up being a situation where they want me to teach them English and they teach me Chinese both for free..and I have no desire to do any extra teaching for free. I should find a way to do it though. You never know when taking these exams might actually be beneficial one day.
Hotwater:
Fortunately in GZ there are quite a few Chinese language schools/teachers who will cover the HSK syllabus. Going to speak to one next week who offer 1-on-1 tuition for 100/hour.
I've downloaded the wordlists for levels 1 & 2 and I know more than half the words orally but it's the reading (& later writing) that I also want to work on.
bansufan:
Hotwater
Where can I download the word list for HSK level 1 and 2. I would love to see how many I know.
edit2403:
Doing "chat buddies" stuff with students and partners is fine in addition to proper study with a qualified teacher.
