The government of Hong Kong has released the results of February’s proficiency exams for prospective teachers of English and of Mandarin. A total of 1,836 candidates took the English exam, while 2,209 candidates were tested in Mandarin.

Here are the percentages of candidates attaining level 3, the basic proficiency requirement for language teachers, in 2007:

• English
  • 78.8% in reading
  • 38.3% in writing
  • 80.4% in listening
  • 47.7% in speaking
  • 92.7% in classroom-language assessment
• Mandarin
  • 39.6% in listening and recognition
  • 56.5% in Pinyin
  • 35.6% in speaking
  • 83.4% in classroom-language assessment

Percentages of candidates attaining level 3, the basic proficiency requirement for language teachers, in 2006:

• English
  • 85.5% in reading
  • 45.9% in writing
  • 74.3% in listening
  • 37.0% in speaking
  • 92.7% in classroom-language assessment (exactly the same as in 2007 — strange)
• Mandarin
  • 54% in listening and recognition
  • 50% in Pinyin
  • 38% in speaking
  • 85% in classroom-language assessment

sources and further reading:

• Hong Kong Putonghua and Pinyin test, Pinyin News, December 14, 2004
• 92.7% pass classroom English assessment, news.gov.hk, May 7, 2007
• Jiàoshī Yīngyǔ kètáng yùnyòng jígé lǜ yúyuè jiǔchéng (教师英语课堂运用及格率逾九成), news.gov.hk, May 7, 2007
• Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (English Language), March 2006 Assessment Report (PDF), Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
• 2006 nián jiàoshī yǔwén nénglì pínghé Pǔtōnghuà pínghé bàogào (2006 年教師語文能力評核普通話評核報告) (PDF), Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority