The benefits of HSK syllabus

[Flickserve]

Let's get this straight. I am not going to take the HSK. My intention is/was to keep learning, follow a few books and keep track of conversations.

It's a bit difficult to solidify my objectives. I don't have lofty aims (I never reach them anyway). So far, I am happy I can have basic conversations, communicate using basic mandarin at work, read a bit and am still progressing. At the moment, I am on a advanced beginner level making the slow jump into low intermediate. I get feedback that my pronunciation is decent for my stage of learning. Probably a result of Chinese-forum members saying they couldn't be understood after a year of learning Mandarin and they wished they had worked more on their tones and pronunciation.

Of course, to get better would be nice and I came across a comment to follow the HSK syallabus. My big weakness is listening skills (lack of general experience, vocab and still picking up grammar). I understand studying anything will help. My philosophy is to understand the basics really well and build up vocabulary from there. I follow NCPR book 2 and some listening exercises to try and solidify the richness of basic Mandarin.

Are there any opinions on how much following HSK would help me? Seriously though, there is so much to learn!

[Mr John]

I was reluctant to take the HSK exams for quite a while too.

 

Having taking both 3 and 4, I'm glad that I did.

 

In preparation for HSK3 I went back over characters which hadn't stuck, which helped solidify my base.

 

In contrast, I didn't prepare specifically for HSK4. I simply read and listened to as much Mandarin as time and energy permitted.

 

Similarly, I don't plan on doing any special preparation for HSK 5.

 

My approach is to find content that I'm interested in; if it is helpful for passing HSK exams, great, if not, it's no big deal.

 

I'd advise you to take one of the HSK tests at some point. True, it has its flaws, but it is one way to track your progress.

[ChTTay]

For me, the HSK 4 vocab was all pretty useful and you come across it often. I am use this is the case for levels below HSK 4 as well. I've started studying HSK 5 fairly recently and some of it seems useful and some of it seems less so. However, this is probably because of my level more than anything else.

 

Beijing Language and Culture University along with some testing company just produced HSK 'Standard course' books. They've essentially taken the HSK vocab and made it into two textbooks - they're just like any other textbooks. They include some HSK style exercises and some more generic textbook activities. They've also released workbooks for levels 1-4. If you were interested in learning some HSK vocab but not just going through words then this might be a textbook worth buying.

 

I have the HSK 5 one and it looks good, although I haven't started using it just yet.

[somethingfunny]

I'd only study an HSK syllabus if you want to take the test.  And I'd only take the test to serve as a marker of your ability or if you need it to apply for a course or some such thing.

 

I studied HSK6 for a while because I thought I needed it to apply for a course but found out 5 was sufficient.  When I told my teacher she immediately told me to stop studying for the HSK as it was a waste of time in terms of improving overall Chinese ability and all I was doing was improving my ability at passing the HSK6 exam.

 

Particularly if you're learning in China, you'll find that studying with an HSK exam as your target means that theres no real structure or theme to what you learn, it's just an endless series of example questions which an experienced teacher might be able to brighten up a bit with some interesting asides into grammar/vocabulary/cultural background.

[Flickserve]

Thank you all. I guess taking HSK will help you learn vocab which is more peripheral to your own interests. This is not a bad thing if you come across a social situation and might have to talk on a random topic.

I glanced at the HSK2 about 6-9 months ago. The writing I would fail but I already recognise most of the words. I don't have the energy to take another exam - I have taken many more than most people can imagine (and not resits!).

ChTay, thanks for the information. Just doing more exercises for the reinforcement rather than doing them for an exam sounds good to me. Maybe just go up to HSK 4 level at the very most.

[eddyf]

I don't know about doing HSK exercises or practice tests, but as for the vocab lists they are very helpful. At least up through HSK 5, the vocab is high-frequency enough that it will NOT be a waste of time to learn them, assuming you hope to reach an advanced level eventually. The same could be said, to a lesser extent, about a lot of the HSK 6 words but at that point it starts getting murkier and the choice of words to include or not include in the list becomes more arbitrary.