Learning system
Master Mandarin with TOCFL 2.0 (2023)
Follow Taiwan's communication-focused vocabulary progression in Dot Languages
Taiwan’s communication-focused Mandarin system
TOCFL began as a Taiwanese research project in 2001, held its first tests in 2003, and has been developed by the Steering Committee for the Test Of Proficiency-Huayu since the committee was established in 2005. TOCFL 2.0 launched in 2023, drawing on Chinese-specific, real-world ability descriptions in the Taiwan Benchmarks for the Chinese Language while continuing to connect results with CEFR and ACTFL.
Dot Languages uses the official July 2023 Huayu 8000 reference list for its selectable TOCFL 2.0 (2023) system. Its seven exact app tiers total 7,517 entries. These are a learning progression, not the formal certificate structure: TOCFL reports four bands and eight certificate levels, including two Preparation levels below CEFR A1 and Levels 1–6 from A1 through C2.
Official candidate guidance uses rounded preparation milestones rather than exact list rows: approximately 400 words for Preparation, then 800, 1,200, 2,500, 5,000, and 8,000 through Levels 1–5, with Level 6 above 8,000. These figures are broad study guidance and should not be read as exact pass thresholds.
The full Taiwan Benchmarks for the Chinese Language (TBCL) resource is broader and maintained separately from Dot’s July 2023 Huayu 8000 list. Its totals should not be substituted for the seven selectable tiers shown here.
- Developed
in TaiwanSC-TOP develops TOCFL for people whose first language is not Chinese - Real
CommunicationThe reference list guides study, but memorising every entry does not guarantee a passing score - Taiwanese
MandarinOfficial resources foreground Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin, and Hanyu Pinyin - International
ConnectionsResults connect with TBCL, CEFR, and ACTFL while retaining Chinese-specific descriptors
TOCFL 2.0 Components
TOCFL is a proficiency suite rather than a test of one textbook. Listening, reading, speaking, and writing tasks become broader, longer, and more nuanced as learners progress through realistic personal, social, academic, and professional situations.
Listening
Understand speech from clear everyday exchanges to natural-speed discussion
- Progress through conversations, announcements, broadcasts, and presentations
- Identify important detail, viewpoints, relationships, and implied meaning
- Handle increasingly abstract, specialised, and unfamiliar subject matter
Reading
Read from signs and practical messages to demanding long-form texts
- Work with Traditional Chinese in Taiwan and available character-version options overseas
- Progress through everyday, literary, academic, and professional material
- Adapt reading strategy and speed to purpose, complexity, and text type
Writing
Communicate effectively from short personal messages to extended argument
- Write practical messages, organised correspondence, summaries, and commentary
- Present and support viewpoints with increasing clarity and precision
- Adapt language appropriately for personal, academic, and professional settings
Speaking
Complete realistic oral tasks from personal answers to complex discussion
- Describe people, experiences, plans, events, and viewpoints
- Present organised arguments and respond to follow-up questions
- Develop fluency, accuracy, register, and interaction across varied contexts
Master TOCFL 2.0 with Dot Languages
Learn the July 2023 vocabulary progression through contextual Mandarin practice
Master Listening
Train with native Mandarin audio as TOCFL develops from clear everyday communication to natural-speed, complex material.
- checkNative narration on every article with adjustable speed
- checkAudio-first vocabulary exercises for tone recognition
- checkComprehension questions after level-aligned articles
- checkAI adapts difficulty to target your weak areas
Master Reading
Build fluent reading with vocabulary aligned to Dot's TOCFL 2.0 (2023) system and support for Traditional Chinese.
- checkThousands of articles and dialogues matched to your level
- checkTap any word for an instant definition with pronunciation support
- checkSentence creation, recognition, and comprehension exercises
- checkFresh content added daily with adaptive difficulty
Master Writing
Strengthen Traditional-character recall and connected writing from short practical messages to organised expression.
- checkStroke-by-stroke character writing with guided feedback
- checkSentence writing exercises for vocabulary and structure
- checkVocabulary exercises reinforce character recall in context
- checkSpaced repetition strengthens long-term memory
Master Speaking
Build confidence from precise word-level pronunciation to flexible discussion of complex topics.
- checkWord-level speaking exercises for precise pronunciation
- checkSentence-level speaking practice for natural fluency
- checkSpaced repetition targets words you find hardest to say
- checkProgress from isolated sounds to connected speech
Complete TOCFL Learning Ecosystem
Progress Analytics
Track your progress through Dot's TOCFL vocabulary tiers with detailed metrics and insights.
Custom TOCFL Materials
Practise with your own textbooks and study materials using our AI exercises.
Tier-Aligned Exercises
Practise with exercises aligned to the July 2023 TOCFL reference vocabulary used by Dot.
TOCFL 2.0 (2023) Vocabulary Tiers
Choose a Dot vocabulary tier to explore its cumulative July 2023 reference-list entries and practical outcomes
Preparation 1: a small core of high-frequency personal words
What You Can Build Toward
- checkRecognise familiar words when pronunciation is slow and clear
- checkShare basic personal information with memorised words and phrases
- checkUnderstand simple numbers, people, objects, and everyday actions
Representative Vocabulary
Preparation 2: short phrases for immediate daily needs
What You Can Build Toward
- checkAnswer very simple questions about daily life
- checkUnderstand short phrases with clear context or visual support
- checkTalk briefly about family, time, food, places, and routine activities
Representative Vocabulary
Entry: simple exchanges and practical information about familiar life
What You Can Build Toward
- checkHandle basic shopping, transport, food, and appointment exchanges
- checkRead short notices and messages with familiar language
- checkDescribe people, places, and possessions in simple sentences
Representative Vocabulary
Foundation: connected communication about work, study, and experience
What You Can Build Toward
- checkFollow the main point of clear, short conversations
- checkDescribe personal background, routines, and recent experiences
- checkUnderstand practical texts written with common everyday vocabulary
Representative Vocabulary
Intermediate: paragraph-level understanding and expression
What You Can Build Toward
- checkFollow important details in clear speech about work, study, and leisure
- checkExplain experiences, plans, and opinions with supporting detail
- checkRead straightforward articles related to personal interests
Representative Vocabulary
Advanced: independent use of abstract and specialised material
What You Can Build Toward
- checkUnderstand extended discussion, including technical talk in a familiar field
- checkPresent and defend a viewpoint with organised supporting arguments
- checkAdapt reading strategy and speed across varied text types
Representative Vocabulary
Fluent: precise, flexible communication across complex subjects
What You Can Build Toward
- checkUnderstand long, demanding material and implied meaning
- checkSummarise, evaluate, and discuss diverse viewpoints fluently
- checkUse formal and informal language appropriately in academic or professional settings