The Confucius Institute in Sofia Have Organised Their First Session of the Chinese Language Proficiency Exams for 2024

On 16th March, the Confucius Institute in Sofia have conducted their first exam session of the Chinese proficiency exams (HSK), the Chinese proficiency speaking exams (HSKK) and the Chinese language exams for primary and secondary level students (YCT) for 2024. The exams have covered the HSK levels 1-6, the HSKK beginner, intermediate and advanced levels as well as the YCT level 1. The total number of the exam applicants has amounted up to 208 people and the applicants age varied from 7 to 48 years of age. The applicants have been Chinese learners and Chinese language enthusiasts from all walks of life.

In order to ensure the smooth running of the exams, the Confucius Institute in Sofia have carefully organised a training session for the administrators of the exams. The focus of the training session has been placed on the study of the relevant administrative regulations. In addition, the Confucius Institute in Sofia have arranged a team of technicians to supervise the operating system for the smooth running of the HSKK exams. They have also set up the examination rooms, have checked the exam equipment, and have sent out what-to-expect-on-the exam-day instructions to the applicants in advance.

On the day of the examinations, Mrs Aksinia Koleva - the Bulgarian director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Prof. Liu Xiuming - the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, have arrived on site in advance and have distributed the examination materials in accordance with the examination procedure. Moreover, they have inspected the examination rooms to ensure that the rooms are in perfect order and have inspected the work of the proctors. The exam administrators have made strict arrangements so that the exam applicants be able to enter the exam rooms in an orderly manner. The exam administrators have assisted the applicants in solving their problems and have keep the examination rooms in due order so that all the examinations could flow smoothly. Compared to the same period of the last year, the number of the students taking the exam has increased by about 20%. It is worth mentioning that some students have sat for both the HSK and HSKK exams at the same time in the hope to get a more comprehensive understanding of their Chinese learning results.

This year is the first time for the Confucius Institute in Sofia to organise the YCT exam, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for Chinese language learning among the Bulgarian primary and secondary level students. The Confucius Institute in Sofia will continue to improve the quality of its examination services, to promote teaching and learning through examinations and to provide a high-quality Chinese learning platform for the local people.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Huang Shihui

Photos: Men Xiaoqiu, Liu Xiuming

Editors: Aksiniya Koleva, Chen Chen, Liu Xiuming

English translation: Maya Kostadinova

Picture 1. The Confucius Institute in Sofia have organised a training session for the administrators of the exams. 

Picture 2. The Directors of Confucius Institute in Sofia distributing the examination materials. 

Picture 3. HSK level 3 examination room.

Picture 4. HSKK elementary level examination room.