The Gap Between HSK Scores and Communicative Competence: A Case Study of First-Year Students at the University of Commerce

Abstract

This study examines the discrepancy between HSK scores and communicative competence among 110 freshmen at Thuongmai University. Despite 99.1% of the sample achieving intermediate-to-advanced HSK levels, their oral production remains limited. The findings indicate that, under the washback effect of the HSK examination, students develop "pragmatic learning strategies," characterized by "strategic neglect of speaking skills", with less than 15% of their self-study time devoted to oral practice. To address this imbalance, the paper proposes institutionalizing HSKK (Chinese Proficiency Speaking Test) certification into graduation requirements and increasing oral practice duration for first-year students to ensure a meaningful alignment between academic credentials and actual proficiency.