Coming Putonghua Test
By Sarah Hong

About 36 students from Putonghua VI and 165 from other levels of Putonghua courses in the University of Macau (UM) are busy preparing for the coming Putonghua Shuiping Ceshi (PSC) on June 4.

The PSC is an official test of proficiency in Putonghua (Mandarin). The PSC scores and certificates are the most recognized documents attesting to a person's competence in Putonghua speaking. Established by the Beijing Putonghua Examination Center, the test has been carried out in China and many regions of the world by local centers. There is one in Macau in June every year. The PSC has three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III, each class has three grades: A, B, and C. The Class I-A is the highest grade.

The Chinese Department at UM offers six levels in Putonghua courses. Students from any level can take part in the PSC if they think they are qualified. However, Putonghua VI is a course that specifically prepares students for the PSC. It provides guidance and training to help students pass the PSC. It is considered a practical pre-examination training course aimed to assist those with advanced Putonghua knowledge to take the PSC examination.

Sio Chio Ieong , Putonghua professor in UM said, "It's easy to obtain a general oral communication skill in Putonghua, but it's difficult to be a professional in the Putonghua language or obtain a high grade in the PSC test." Sio said that the course of Putonghua VI includes a variety of content such as listening, pronunciation, intonation phonology, and oral communication, etc. Sio hoped every Putonghua VI student would get the highest grade in the coming PSC.

Lily Chan, an UM student from mainland China said, "I am a Putonghua VI student. Since I am from Shanghai, I used to think my Putonghua skills were better than local students. However, after I studied the PSC test, I've found that I am still far from getting the highest grade in PSC."

Kathy Leong, a local student said, "My major is English Communication. Compared to students from mainland China, I know it is difficult for me to have good Putonghua skills because I have learned it just for three years. I know I am poorer than them in Putonghua, especially in four tones. It's so difficult for me to differentiate the four tones in Putonghua."

Leong expressed she would study hard for the coming PSC. She said it is necessary to listen to the Putonghua channel on radio, communicate with teachers or classmates, and practice more every day.

In recent years, especially after the Handover in 1999 and introduction of the Individual Travel Scheme in 2003, the Putonghua language has become increasingly important because employees are required to have higher and higher Putonghua skills in many fields. Many students now think it is important for future job hunting to have a recognized Putonghua certificate. The Putonghua courses in UM have become popular with students who hope to get Putonghua certificates.

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