OLD BRIDGE — Six Old Bridge High School students proved how well versed they are with the Chinese language.
Students enrolled in the Mandarin class passed the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) International Chinese Language Test, at Rutgers University Confucius Institute. This marked the first year that the high school participated in the challenging standardized exam.
HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test is an international standardized exam which tests and rates Chinese language proficiency, evaluating Chinese language abilities for non-native Chinese speakers in terms of using the Chinese language in their daily, academic, and professional lives.
Students Jared Aisenberg, Shane Gonzalez, Najuboon Rahim, Kayla Tom, Ruchit Palrecha, and Primit Shah competed with students across the globe to test their Chinese language skills on Nov. 11 in New Brunswick.
Primit, 17, a senior, who plans to go to college next year to study bio medical engineering and medicine, said he was curious about his ability of the Chinese language.
“The test was difficult; it measures listening and reading comprehension,” he said.
Shane Gonzalez, 17, a senior, who also went to China last year on an educational trip through Old Bridge High School, said he was pleasantly surprised with his results.
“It shows I achieved a level of understanding,” he said.
Shane said he will continue to study Chinese in college and plans to major in international politics.
Ruchit Palrecha, 17, a senior, who is planning to major in software engineering in college, said because China is growing at an exponential rate, it is useful to know the language.
“The economy and the country are growing rapidly,” he said.
Ruchit said he was relieved to know he passed the test.
“The listening was easy, but the reading comprehension was hard,” he said.
Primit, Shane and Ruchit have been enrolled in Chinese for five years, with one year in middle school.
The HSK test focuses on knowledge in written, spoken, and aural Mandarin skills. In preparation for the test, Mandarin teacher Min Chen administered several practice exams and held after school sessions to assist students in familiarizing themselves with the format and challenge of the test.
Old Bridge High School is part of the Confucius Classroom network of schools, which have demonstrated high standards and a commitment to teaching the Mandarin language and Chinese culture, and creating global awareness for the multicultural world. Old Bridge is one of only six schools in New Jersey to be granted a Confucius Classroom.
Anahita Keiller, director of Arts and Culture for Old Bridge Township Public Schools, said the high school and the World Language Department are very proud of the accomplishments of the students and wished the students continued success in their global endeavors.