Those who fail to reach Putonghua and English benchmark face remedial classes Polytechnic University will impose compulsory English and Putonghua tests on all new students from next year to gauge their language skills. The Graduating Students' Language Proficiency Assessment tests were developed by the university's Chinese Language Centre and English Language Centre. The Putonghua test is recognised by the State Language Commission in Beijing. Students may take the tests at any time during their course. The tests are also open to students from other institutions, as well as the public, university vice-president Philip Yeung Kwok-wing said. The results will not be posted on students' records, nor will students be required to reach a certain benchmark to graduate. However, anyone who fails to reach the prescribed standard in either language will be asked to attend remedial courses. 'We will provide assistance to students to help raise their standards, particularly in Putonghua since the Putonghua education in schools is not yet adequate,' said Professor Yeung. Counselling will be provided to those who turn down the remedial sessions, he added. 'We do not think university students should be forced to attend the extra lessons. We want them to understand that they are for their benefit.' Professor Yeung said it took the university years to develop the tests. He said the English examination was more reliable than the International English Language Testing System, which is backed by the University Grants Committee as a voluntary exit test for all university students. 'IELTS is designed to assess students' ability for university entrance. Its advantage is it is recognised internationally,' Professor Yeung said. In Hong Kong, the IELTS is used to test students who are already in university. Professor Yeung said the Polytechnic University test results would also provide a basis for the university to determine its deployment of resources for language training. Students who have taken IELTS will be exempt from the university's English test, he added. But the president of the university's student union, Lai Chun-kit, said he opposed the idea of exit tests. 'We have already proven our language standards through the A-Level examination. 'How would students have the time to take on extra remedial classes in their final year?'
