The official Hoklo (also known as Taiwanese) proficiency test saw its highest attendance yet, with a total of 10,850 people nationwide taking the test on Saturday.
The number of physically challenged test-takers — three — was also a new record, statistics showed, according to figures published by the Ministry of Education, while a total of 17 people aged 70 or older took the test.
The number of test-takers surpassed 10,000 both this year and last year, ministry statistics showed.
The ministry said the test, now in its sixth year, has no limitations on nationalities or ethnicity.
The test not only serves as a qualifying exam, but also provides a benchmark for Hoklo proficiency, it said.
As an official language proficiency test, it also motivates people to learn Hoklo and provides a reference for schools to vet Hoklo teachers, the ministry said.
The test, comprising speaking, listening, reading and writing sections, was improved last year with the deployment of guides who assist the visually impaired in completing the test.
In consideration of disadvantaged people, test-takers who suffer from mental or physical disabilities are exempt from some parts of the test, according to a new rule added this year.
The oldest test-taker this year was an 81-year-old man named Chen Yan-jung (陳炎榮) and the youngest was a seven-year-old girl, Shen Ming-chen (沈明臻).
Chen said that he used to be a mechanic at an auto repair shop and was not very well-read.
He said that although Hoklo is his first language, it was not until last year that he began studying it at New Taipei City’s Song Nien Community College, where teachers encouraged him to take the test.
Shen’s mother said that Shen developed an interest for the language in Hoklo classes taught at her school, adding that she is fond of Hoklo jokes.
Results of Saturday’s test are to be announced on Oct. 26.
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