Mr. Yongbin Xia joined UCC in October 18th 2012 as the Co-Director of the Confucius Institute of UCC. He works with staff members of the School of Asian Studies and the College of  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science to promote Chinese Language and Chinese Culture in Ireland, particularly at UCC. His post is funded by HANBAN, Headquarters of the Confucius Institute in Beijing.

Mr Yongbin Xia is originally from Shanghai, he completed his undergraduate degree in Chinese Language and Literature at Shanghai Normal University in 1992 and after graduating joined the Shanghai University, where he obtained a masters degree in Information Utilization in 2004. During 2002 to 2003 he has been funded by CSC (Chinese Scholarship Council) to study English Language at the University of Sheffield in the UK.

After 1999 his job responsibility has been focusing on international students’ administration and enrollment in the College of International Exchange, Shanghai University. From now on, he will be endeavoring to promote Chinese Language and Chinese Culture in Ireland especially at UCC.

The UCC Confucius Institute was established in the Irish Institute of Chinese Studies (UCC) in November 2007. It is a collaboration between UCC and Shanghai University. Shanghai University has provided staff members and volunteers to work in the UCC Confucius Institute since 2008.

The Aim of UCC Confucius Institute is to strengthen educational cooperation between China and Ireland, support and promote the development of Chinese language education and increase mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Ireland, with a special focus on the cities of Shanghai and Cork.

Since its establishment in 2007 the UCC Confucius Institute has organised many cultural exchange activities between Ireland and China. It has contributed to Chinese language teaching and leaning at the National University of Ireland and at schools in the wider Munster region. UCC's Chinese language teaching and learning was recognised by winning the European Award for Languages in 2008 for its excellence, innovation and dedication.

爱尔兰科克大学孔子学院简介

      爱尔兰科克大学孔子学院成立于2007年11月, 由上海大学与爱尔兰科克大学合作共建而成，学院与科克大学中国研究院的密切合作下，形成了“两块牌子，一套班子”独具特色的运作模式。

      科 克大学孔子学院师资力量雄厚，现有教授1 名，副教授1 名，讲师8 名，志愿者教师10名，其中获博士学位和在读博士13名，其余均有硕士学位。他们不仅具有扎实的中国文史功底和语言文字基础，而且具有丰富的对外汉语教学 经验以及良好的英语教学能力，注意将中国传统文化与汉语前沿教学理念融汇贯通，使课堂生机勃勃。

      学 院的汉语教学活动已取得一定的成绩和赞誉，二年多来，已为超过1600名爱尔兰学生教授各类汉语课程；特别是自2009年9月以来，学院在科克地区24所 中小学大规模开设中国语言和文化课程，受到了当地中小学的欢迎和支持。2008年学院被欧盟文化和教育委员会授予“2008年欧洲语言教学成就 奖”；2009年，爱尔兰汉语教学学会、爱尔兰HSK考试中心相继在科克大学成立。

      科 克大学孔子学院在开展汉语教学和学术研究活动以外，两年来还成功举办了一系列中国文化推广活动，取得了很好的社会反响。学院连续两年与科克市政府合作，成 功举办“科克市春节联欢会”已成为科克市市民每年春节享受中国文化的盛宴。特别是2010年春节期间组织上海大学艺术团在爱尔兰各地举行中国文化巡演，反 响热烈，引起轰动。学院已连续两年成功举办了爱尔兰“汉语桥”中文比赛暨“汉语桥”世界大学生中文比赛爱尔兰地区选拔赛；今年将组织首届“汉语桥”世界中 学生中文比赛爱尔兰赛区的比赛。学院先后二次组织爱尔兰ICCG协会骨干成员开展友爱中国访华活动，取得了和好的社会效果，促进了中爱两国的民间交流，提 高孔子学院在爱尔兰的声誉和知名度。学院成功举办的“2009爱尔兰大学生中国夏令营”活动，在爱尔兰各高校引起较大反响并受到广泛好评；2009年10 月“中国文化活动周”活动激发起科克大学学生和当地市民对中国语言文化的浓厚兴趣。其中与爱尔兰科克市政府联合举办了“科克与上海—穿越历史”双城历史文 化图片实物展览，吸引了众多的当地民众，累计观众超过5000人次。2010年爱尔兰国庆节，学院组织近60名中国师生参加科克市国庆游行活动，为沿街近 7万名当地民众舞狮舞龙、表演中国武术、宣传上海世博会、赠送世博会纪念品等，吸引了当地爱尔兰民众的眼球。学院在推广汉语和中国文化时，注重与当地的学 校、社团和大型活动相结合，参与大中小学校的开放日、教育节和民间社团外语推广等活动，使中国文化在当地各阶层群众中得到很好的宣传和推广。据统计，学院 两年来累计组织各类中国文化推广活动40多场次，参与人数超过9万人次。

      学 院还积极推动和开展高水平学术研究交流和学者互访活动，召开各类学术研讨会、邀请著名专家学者访问。2009年组织参与召开“地缘政治与体育——08北京 奥运后的亚太地区”国际学术会议和“亚洲崛起与世界格局变化”2009年爱尔兰亚洲研究学会年会等两次关于中国议题的国际学术研讨会，得到欧美知名学者的 积极相应和参与；协助主办“爱尔兰第二届亚洲大使论坛”。这些高层次的活动提升了科克大学孔子学院在爱尔兰和欧洲地区的知名度及影响力。学院现已迅速成长 为爱尔兰中国及亚洲研究中心。

      科 克大学孔子学院开展的一系列工作得到了爱尔兰科克大学、科克市政府和中国驻爱尔兰大使馆的充分肯定和赞扬。2009年11月全国人大代表团一行在全国人大 常委会委员、全国人大教科文卫委员会副主任委员唐天标将军的带领下，专程来科克大学孔子学院视察调研，并听取孔子学院的工作汇报。代表团充分肯定了科克大 学孔子学院的办学目标和特色，特别指出科克大学孔子学院在很好的履行汉语教学和中国文化推广职责的同时，能够与科克大学中国研究院紧密配合，积极主动参与 科克大学中国研究专业的学科建设、参与高水平的学术研究及交流活动，为海外孔子学院向高水平、高层次发展提供了很好的榜样，也为孔子学院可持续发展提供了 参照与借鉴。

      通 过两年多来的创建和发展，科克大学孔子学院已经成为科克地区中爱两国之间文化和教育交流平台和窗口。学院将在稳步和谐发展的基础上，以创建示范孔子学院为 目标，争取把科克大学孔子学院建设成为爱尔兰汉语教学中心、爱尔兰汉语教师培训中心、爱尔兰汉语水平考试中心、爱尔兰中国研究中心和爱尔兰中国文化交流中 心。

China's Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, known as HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test is a standardized test at the state level designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers (foreigners, overseas Chinese and students of Chinese national minorities). HSK consists of the basic Chinese proficiency test (HSK Basic), the elementary and intermediate Chinese proficiency test (HSK Elementary-Intermediate) and the advanced Chinese proficiency test (HSK Advanced). HSK is held regularly in China and other countries each year. Certificates of HSK will be issued to those who have secured the required scores. The Chinese Ministry of Education has established China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)(CNCCPT). The Committee is the supervisor of HSK and the issuer of the Chinese proficiency certificates. CNCCPT has an office called Office of China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), which takes care of the HSK affairs together with the HSK Center of BLCU. UCC Confucius Institute became the Test Centre for the HSK since 2009.

Introduction on New HSK Test

In order to better satisfy the demand for adequate Chinese language tests in foreign countries, Hanban has consulted a large number of both foreign and national experts in language teaching, linguistics, educational evaluation and psychology to assess the standard of Chinese language testing abroad. Based on their investigations and some new understandings regarding the shortcomings of Chinese language testing today, Hanban has applied the latest research methodology in foreign-language testing to develop a new HSK test, which will be launched in November 2009. The test is designed for Chinese language learners who are based overseas.

Test Structure
The new HSK is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test, taking non-native speakers as its object, and directed at examining students’ capability in applying Chinese language in their studies, personal life and work. The new type of examination consists of two independent parts; a written test and an oral test. The written test is comprised of HSK-Level 1, HSK-Level 2, HSK- Level 3, HSK- Level 4, HSK- Level 5 and HSK- Level 6, while the oral test is comprised of HSK(Elementary), HSK (Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced). During the oral test, sound-recording devices are used.

Test Grades
The direct comparison between the new HSK test and Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and The Common European Framework Reference for Language CEF is as follows:

a. HSK- Level 1
Designed for learners who can understand and use some simple Chinese characters and sentences to communicate, and prepares them for continuing their Chinese studies;
b. HSK- Level 2
Designed for elementary learners who can use Chinese in a simple and direct manner, applying it in a basic fashion in their daily lives;
c. HSK- Level 3
Designed for elementary-intermediate learners who can use Chinese to serve the demands of their personal lives, studies and work, and are capable of completing most of the communicative tasks they experience during their Chinese tour;
d. HSK- Level 4
Designed for intermediate learners who can discuss a relatively wide range of topics in Chinese and are capable of communicating with Chinese speakers at a high standard;
e. HSK- Level 5
Designed for learners who can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, watch Chinese films and are capable of writing and delivering a lengthy speech in Chinese;
f. HSK- Level 6
Designed for learners who can easily understand any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form;

Test Principles
Following the principle of “combing testing and teaching”, the new test is designed in line with the present situation of international Chinese-language teaching and the teaching materials that are commonly available, with the aim of “promoting teaching and learning through examinations”.

The new HSK test stresses objectivity and accuracy, and also focuses on developing and testing an examinees’ ability to apply Chinese in practical, real-life situations.

The new HSK test also sets explicit study objectives, allowing examinees to more effectively improve their Chinese proficiency with defined study plans and goals.

Test Functions
Taking its orientation from the old HSK test, the new HSK test is aimed primarily at adult Chinese learners. The test scores meet the various demands of different organizations or groups of people as follows:
A. Offers a reference for educational institutions to recruit students, classify students, exempt students from some courses and grant credits;
B. Offers a reference for employers to employ, train and promote employees;
C. Offers a reference for Chinese learners to understand and improve their ability to apply Chinese;
D. Offers a reference for related Chinese teaching institutions or training organizations to evaluate teaching standards and the effectiveness of different training.

Test Score Report
Within three weeks after the test, examinees can access their test scores on the internet and have their ‘Score Report’ issued by Hanban.

You can find out the samples of exam paper at http://new.chinesetest.cn

Application Procedure

A complete application form. (attach a form please)

Candidates shall bring two recent 30 x 40 mm photos without headwear (only for taking HSK level 4 and above) and present a copy of a photo-bearing identification, such as a passport, drive license or residence permit and student ID.

Candidates have to pay the registration fee accordingly for the test and registration, make cheque payable to UCC Confucius Insitute.

Fees for the test and registration are non-refundable. And postage is included in the fees. When a candidate cannot take the test in time due to some insurmountable reasons and notifies 48 hours in advance the test centre at which he registered before the test date, with the approval of the centre (with the signature and stamp of the centre), one test opportunity will be retained for the candidate.

3. Candidates may apply by mail. Applications must be sent to the test centre by registered mail at least one week before the final application deadline and enclose a photocopy of an official piece of identification, and an application form, a correspondence address and two recent 30 x 40 photos without head wear. Meanwhile fees for the test and registration shall be remitted to the registration site by post, no telephone registration will be accepted. The admission ticket will be given to the candidate at the testing site, of which the candidates will be notified in advance by e-mail.

The application package should be sent to:

Rm3.35
UCC Confucius Institute
O’Rahilly Building
UCC
Cork

4. One month after the test, Candidates can obtain their results at new.chinesetest.cn by entering their examination number or ID number provided in their application forms.

Contact Details:

Mr. Yongbin Xia, Rm 3.35, O’Rahilly Building, UCC

Tel: 021 420 5153 E-mail: y.xia@ucc.ie

5. Student manual and sample test papers can be downloaded here:

PLEASE USE COMPUTER TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM:

HSK application form 2014

The Chinese Language Council International