“The concept behind [the CCCC] is different [from that of the YCT]. YCT is more like a test for language knowledge while we [with the CCCC] tend to help children acquire the ability to use the language in their daily life,” Ho said.
In contrast to the text-based YCT, test-takers — aged between 7 and 12 — are given a large number of pictures in the CCCC to keep them interested in the target language, Ho said.
“If they lose interest at the very beginning they will not want to learn Mandarin anymore,” Ho said.
But with a rival like the YCT, which has been widely adopted worldwide, it is tough for the developers to persuade schools to give the CCCC a try, Chao said.
Developers of the CCCC have had difficulty expanding the test to schools overseas outside of those for Taiwanese expats, partly because of a lack of manpower and partly because of the YCT’s dominance, Chao said.
“Seeing China’s Hanban aggressively push [their tests and Mandarin teaching], I really hope our government can establish an agency specifically responsible for promoting [the CCCC and Taiwan’s Mandarin teaching],” said a committee official who wished to remain anonymous.
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