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For those interested in learning a new language and be certified for it, especially Mandarin, I'm pleased to share with you my recent discovery. It turns out that there is a Chinese government sponsored Mandarin qualifying test similar to Spain's D.E.L.E (Los Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) administered through Instituto Cervantes in Manila, the French language qualifying exam adminstered by Alliance Francaise, and of course, IELTS for the English language, administered here by the British Council. The test is called Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi or HSK. HSK is administered in China and other approved overseas location. Here in the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University inagurates today the Confucious Center and which hsll be the authorized office to administer the HSK in the Philippines.
In a feature article in PhilStar Magazine's October 1, 2006 issue, it was written that "the government of the People's Republic of China, through the Ministry of Education's Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), has established Confucius Institutes around the world for the promotion of Chinese language and culture." This is similar to Spain's Instituto Cervantes, named after Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervates, which aims to promote Spanish language and culture. The Ateneo Confucious Center offers Basic Chinese in 6 levels, Intermediate Chinese in 6 levels, Business Chinese, and Classical Chinese. Classes are conducted in the Makati Campus on weekdays and the Loyola Campus on Saturdays. Course fees are at a minimum of P3,800 for the Basic levels. Incidentally, other language courses in Instituto and Alliance Francaise also charge a course fee of not more than P3,000.
I have been very interested in enrolling at the Confucius Center since I read about the announcement a few weeks ago. I am particularly interested in Basic Chinese 2 because I have already taken six units of Chinese 10 and 11 in U.P. and attended a Mandarin language course in Languages International. Unfortunately for me, Basic Chinese 2 is only offered in the Makati Campus at 6pm and since I'm off from work at 6pm, I will definitely not be able to make it to class. I guess I will just have to wait till they offer Basic Chinese 2 in Loyola on Saturdays.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I am also planning to enroll at Instituto Cervantes. Right now, I'm reviewing on my own so that I will not be levelled as a beginner (and consequently save a few thousand pesos in course fees). Spanish courses in Instituto Cervates are offered in Quezon City, Ortigas, Makati and in Manila and they are structured this way: Levels 1 to 5 for Beginners and Levels 6 to 10 for Intermediate. Diagnostic tests are conducted at their Manila center every Tuesdays and Saturdays at 3pm. I'm hoping that after reviewing my Spanish (which I learned by taking up Spanish 1 in UP and by listening to Menudo and Ricky Martin songs (seriously!), watching a few Spanish movies, and reading Pablo Neruda's poem compilation with English translation side by side), I will qualify to enroll at Level 3 or higher. I eventually plan to take DELE and HSK. Wow! I'll be quite busy the next few months doing this! :) Fun!
In a feature article in PhilStar Magazine's October 1, 2006 issue, it was written that "the government of the People's Republic of China, through the Ministry of Education's Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), has established Confucius Institutes around the world for the promotion of Chinese language and culture." This is similar to Spain's Instituto Cervantes, named after Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervates, which aims to promote Spanish language and culture. The Ateneo Confucious Center offers Basic Chinese in 6 levels, Intermediate Chinese in 6 levels, Business Chinese, and Classical Chinese. Classes are conducted in the Makati Campus on weekdays and the Loyola Campus on Saturdays. Course fees are at a minimum of P3,800 for the Basic levels. Incidentally, other language courses in Instituto and Alliance Francaise also charge a course fee of not more than P3,000.
I have been very interested in enrolling at the Confucius Center since I read about the announcement a few weeks ago. I am particularly interested in Basic Chinese 2 because I have already taken six units of Chinese 10 and 11 in U.P. and attended a Mandarin language course in Languages International. Unfortunately for me, Basic Chinese 2 is only offered in the Makati Campus at 6pm and since I'm off from work at 6pm, I will definitely not be able to make it to class. I guess I will just have to wait till they offer Basic Chinese 2 in Loyola on Saturdays.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I am also planning to enroll at Instituto Cervantes. Right now, I'm reviewing on my own so that I will not be levelled as a beginner (and consequently save a few thousand pesos in course fees). Spanish courses in Instituto Cervates are offered in Quezon City, Ortigas, Makati and in Manila and they are structured this way: Levels 1 to 5 for Beginners and Levels 6 to 10 for Intermediate. Diagnostic tests are conducted at their Manila center every Tuesdays and Saturdays at 3pm. I'm hoping that after reviewing my Spanish (which I learned by taking up Spanish 1 in UP and by listening to Menudo and Ricky Martin songs (seriously!), watching a few Spanish movies, and reading Pablo Neruda's poem compilation with English translation side by side), I will qualify to enroll at Level 3 or higher. I eventually plan to take DELE and HSK. Wow! I'll be quite busy the next few months doing this! :) Fun!
posted by wernicke at 10:35 AM
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