SBM ONLINE: SBM had conducted the Chinese language proficiency evaluation session for 15 non-Chinese speaking SBM students from four (4) programs in SBM; BBA (Hons.), BEnt (Hons.), BMar (Hons.) and BHRM (Hons.). These students were from the Malay-medium schools who have never attended any training or short courses in Chinese language.  They have also completed three (3) Mandarin courses in UUM namely Mandarin 1, Mandarin 2 and Mandarin 3.  The evaluation session was conducted to gauge the students’ proficiency in Chinese language after they have completed the UUM Mandarin courses.

The SBM evaluation committee was lead by Deputy Dean SBM, Dr Khairol Anuar Ishak and was a joint session by four (4) SBM senior lecturers; Assoc. Prof. Dr Hoe Chee Hee, Assoc. Prof. Dr Thi Lip Sam, Dr Jennie Soo Hooi Sin and Dr Choo Ling Suan with three (3) industrial members.  The industrial members selected were Mr Ooi Poh Piah from Great Eastern Assurance, Ms Law Min Chee from Pustaka Union and Ms Lim Meei Jiun from  Bio-Medical Business Consultant. Two (2) lecturers from SLCP; Mr Tan Pin Wooi (Mandarin Course Coordinator) and Ms Ang Wei Yin, who were invited as facilitators to help students to make the necessary preparation for this session.

According to Mr Tan Pin Wooi, the content of these Mandarin courses is aligned with HSK Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency that assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six (6) levels; namely HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK (level V), and HSK (level VI). Successful completion of the three (3) UUM Mandarin courses is equivalent in achieving HSK Level 2 Chinese language proficiency.

The evaluation consisted of a role play and interview session to gauge students’ listening, reading and speaking skills.    Three (3) role plays were presented by three (3) groups of students in front of the panel members where the students were able to impress the panel members with a basic level of Mandarin proficiency in these three skills. Aside from that, three (3) interview sessions were conducted to examine the student’s listening and speaking skills. The topics covered were students’ speaking about themselves, courses taken in the university/career and Malaysian festivals. Students were also requested to talk about their background followed by answering questions from the panel members. Given the fact that the students are non-Chinese natives speaking Chinese language, the panels were very satisfied and conclude that the students have proven that they have acquired basic knowledge and understanding when answering the questions.

Overall, the external panel members were satisfied with the students’ ability to listen and understand basic Chinese language, as well as speaking a basic Chinese language. There is also need for further improvement in students’ Chinese language proficiency to equip them for a better future career after graduation.