If you are not sure if you have reached the intermediate level, you may refer to the following criteria:
1.Grasped 500 common Chinese characters and the corresponding grammar standard.
2.Completed 100 to 400 hours of regular modern Chinese learning, including those with the equivalent learning experiences.
3.Able to understand simple sentences and express simple ideas.
4.Capable of simple communication in daily life and study.
This section is emphasized on Chinese speaking skill improvement.
I personally think speaking is the hardest part in learning Chinese. You should understand what the speaker is saying, then give feedback using your own words in correct pronunciation and in correct use immediately. It is based on your skills in listening, reading and writing.
I have ever read a post delivered by an Australia girl who is learning Chinese in China. She emphasized the importance of tones in conversation with native speakers. She said it is often for her to continue the same words in countless times for the listener to understand what she is saying as she was not using the correct tones. We all know there are four tones in Chinese, many learners do not pay high attention to it and later it will really bring trouble.
For example,
你要睡觉吗? Do you want to sleep?
你要水饺吗? Do you want dumpling?
If you cannot use the different tones in these two words, many misunderstanding will be caused.
So the first step to make you understood by the others is to pronounce every character correctly.
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