Level Description of TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language )

The TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language ) and ALG Mandarin Class

The ALG Mandarin Class has been designed to align to full TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language ), CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference), HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), or TBCL (Taiwan Benchmarks for the Chinese Language) spectrum from the very beginning. The TOCFL sets out seven levels of foreign language mastery, and our class is aligned as such:

Listening

ALG ClassesEstimated HoursLevelDescription
Beginner-1100Band NoviceCan recognize everyday, high-frequency words which are immediately relevant to oneself and delivered clearly and slowly, repeated, and supported by context.
Can understand high-frequency words related to daily life delivered clearly and slowly, repeated, and supported by context.
Beginner-2100Band A Level 1Can understand basic phrases and familiar words provided that the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Beginner-3100Band A Level 2Can understand commonly used expressions and catch the main point in a short conversation when it is conducted slowly and clearly.
Intermediate-1100Band B Level 3Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, and leisure, including short narratives.
Intermediate-2100Band B Level 4Can understand the main ideas of propositionally and linguistically complex speech on both concrete and abstract topics delivered in a standard dialect, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
Intermediate-3100
Band C Level 5Can understand enough to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics outside his/her own field, even when the presentation is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signaled explicitly, though he/she may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar.
AdvancedUnlimitedBand C Level 6Has no difficulty in understanding specialized lectures, broadcasts, and presentations, or any kind of narration, even when the presentation is not grammatically correct or contains unfamiliar terminology.

Speaking

ALG ClassesEstimated HoursLevelDescription
Beginner-1100Band NoviceWith adequate preparation, can speak out a number of everyday, high-frequency words which are immediately relevant to oneself.
With adequate preparation, can respond to very simple questions related to daily life using high-frequency words.
Band A Level 11.Can answer questions about personal details briefly such as where they live, people they know, and things they have.
Beginner-21002.Can describe people, places and objects in a simple way with familiar everyday expressions and phrases.
Beginner-3100Band A Level 21.Can describe their personal background, daily routines, and familiar matters with simple phrases and sentences.
2.Can describe the content of a video clip in a simple way.
Intermediate-1100Band B Level 31.Can give straightforward and coherent descriptions of personal experiences, feelings, dreams, hopes, and real or imagined events.
2.Can explain plans or events in sequence, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Intermediate-2100Band B Level 41.Can give clear, detailed descriptions on topics of interest, experiences and events.
Intermediate-31002.Can provide personal points of view concerning general or controversial issues and systematically give detailed reasons.
3.Can develop a clear argument, expand and support their points of view with relevant examples.
Band C Level 5In formal discussion of abstract, complex unfamiliar topics: 1.Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations, integrate sub-themes and round off with an appropriate conclusion.
2.Can respond to questions and comments of counter argument fluently, spontaneously, appropriately and convincingly.
3.Can expand and support the points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples.
AdvancedUnlimitedBand C Level 6In formal discussion of abstract, complex unfamiliar topics: 1.Can produce clear, smoothly flowing well-structured speech with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points.
2.Can hold their own in formal discussion of complex issues, putting an articulate and persuasive argument, at no disadvantage to native speakers.
3.Can adapt the talk flexibly to meet the audience's needs.

Reading

ALG ClassesEstimated HoursLevelDescription
Reading-Writing-150Band NoviceCan recognize everyday, high-frequency words which are immediately relevant to oneself, with backtracking allowed, and meaning supported by context.
Can understand high-frequency words and phrases related to daily life with backtracking allowed, and meaning supported by con
Band A Level 1Can get an idea of the content of simple informational material and short simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support.
Reading-Writing-250
Reading-Writing-350Band A Level 2Can understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency everyday or job-related language.
Reading-Writing-450Band B Level 3Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her field and interests with a satisfactory level of comprehension.
Reading-Writing-550Band B Level 4Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and reading speed to different texts and purposes. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low frequency idioms.
Reading-Writing-650
Band C Level 5Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not they relate to his/her own area of specialty, provided he/she can reread difficult sections.
AdvancedUnlimitedBand C Level 6Can understand virtually all forms of the written language including abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial literary and non-literary writings.

Writing

ALG ClassesEstimated HoursLevelDescription
Reading-Writing-150Band NoviceNone.
None.
Band A Level 1Can write simple isolated phrases and sentences.
Reading-Writing-250
Reading-Writing-350Band A Level 2Can write short e-mail passages with simple connectors to meet immediate needs, such as expressing gratitude, apologies and invitations.
Reading-Writing-450Band B Level 3Can write personal letters in relative detail which describe experiences, feelings and events.
Reading-Writing-550Band B Level 4Can write an essay or report which develops an argument, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Reading-Writing-650
Band C Level 5Can write a basic summary that for the most part conveys all the main ideas of the original text. Can, for the most part appropriately, reorganize information from lengthy written materials on a wide range of topics, and use a diverse range of sentence patterns and phrasing commonly employed in writing to write a summary. The summary is clearly organized with a good overall structure and conveys ideas clearly. Can write a long report or essay elaborating on a topic or subject, presenting one or more lines of argument. Can write using a diverse range of sentence patterns commonly employed written linguistic devices issues and provide an evaluative analysis of a wide range of issues, putting forward possible solutions, and a conclusion, and conveying their personal viewpoint.
Can write a summary conveying the meaning of the original text and highlighting its main points.
AdvancedUnlimitedBand C Level 6Can accurately reorganize information from lengthy written texts on a wide range of topics, using complex sentence patterns and a diverse range of sophisticated linguistic devices at ease. The summary is well-structured and conveys ideas succinctly. Can write a long report or essay elaborating on a topic or subject, presenting one or more lines of argument. Can provide an evaluative analysis and critique of a wide range of issues which has a rigorous logical structure and presents a comprehensive feasible solution, and an appropriate conclusion, and conveys their personal viewpoint.
Can employ a wide and diverse range of complex sentence patterns and sophisticated linguistic devices with ease.

You can also check more details how another guidelines related to our classes on the following pages: TBCL, HSK and CEFR.