IFTM Around the World Main Headline

IFT students visit Beijing for Mandarin study programme

中文摘要 / Summary in Chinese

A group of 17 representatives from IFT recently travelled to Beijing in Mainland China to take part in a National Putonghua Proficiency Test and Cultural Studies Programme. It was the largest Institute delegation to date to have taken part in such studies.

The latest edition of the yearly programme took place from 23 December to 6 January at the Beijing Language and Culture University. It was attended by a total of 44 participants from Hong Kong and Macao, including from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Baptist University.

The Putonghua Proficiency Test and Cultural Studies Programme aims to help higher-education students enhance their Mandarin language proficiency, and to promote cultural exchanges between Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao.

Each year, students who attend the programme are eligible to take the National Putonghua Proficiency Test. Participants are expected to exhibit significant improvement in Mandarin after taking part in the programme, which includes 1-on-1 tutorials for students and a requirement to deliver presentations in Mandarin.

All students taking part in the programme passed the Putonghua Proficiency Test, with 90 percent of them receiving a Grade 3A or above.

The Putonghua Proficiency Test – or Putonghua Shuiping Ceshi (PSC) – is an official test of spoken fluency in Mandarin. Candidates who pass the examination are given a certificate of proficiency level at levels 1, 2 or 3, each of which is subdivided into grades A and B, with Level 1A being the highest level. Candidates for civil servant positions in Mainland China are required to pass the National Putonghua Proficiency Test.

IFT Lecturer Ms. Hilda Fok says: “Students’ and my personal Mandarin level were improved, thanks to this opportunity.” She led the IFT delegation attending the latest edition of the National Putonghua Proficiency Test and Cultural Studies Programme.

During their time in Beijing, the students took part in a number of excursions around the city, including visits to the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China. Participants had the opportunity to see some of the greatest master pieces of Chinese art, including the world-acclaimed painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival”.

President’s Corner

A special place

IFTM’s unique positioning means students have access to a deep pool of exclusive opportunities, including exchange and internship programmes outside Macao, allowing them to be exposed to new ideas, and to broaden their horizons. Read More