The Certification of Italian as a foreign Language

CILS exams

Exams of the Università per Stranieri di Siena

The Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language (CILS) is the official title that denotes the degree of linguistic competency of Italian as a foreign language.

Enrolment

All foreigners and all Italians who live abroad can enrol for the CILS exam. There is no age limit or any other conditions. However, please note: deadline for enrolment is 50 days before the exam.

The exam takes place in the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Exam date:

June-December

7 June 2012/6 December 2012

The exam takes place in the National University of Ireland, Galway.  

Please click here for application form for the CILS exam. Application forms should be downloaded and completed by applicant and posted to Dr. Laura McLoughlin at Italian Studies, NUI, Galway. Cheques/drafts for the appropriate level should be made payable to National University of Ireland and enclosed with the printed application.   

Please contact Dott. Jennifer Lertola jennifer.lertolanuigalway.ie

or Dr. Laura McLoughlin  laura.mcloughlin nuigalway.ie  or phone 091 492240

The following are the different levels established by the Common European Framework for Languages and the corresponding level of the CILS certificate:

Level A1 and A2

Level A1 and A2 Levels A1 & A2 are for those, who are at the initial stages of learning the Italian language. Level A1 testifies the initial process of learning the language. Level A2 testifies an initial, but still not autonomous ability to communicate. Exams A1 and A2 have a modular structure

Level UNO- B1

Level UNO- B1 determines basic skills. This level testifies the ability to communicate appropriately and autonomously during the most frequent situations in everyday life.

Level DUE- B2

Level DUE- B2 is the medium level of the linguistic and communicative ability. This level testifies a higher ability of the fundamental use of the language.

Level TRE- C1

Level TRE- C1 testifies a higher linguistic and communicative ability. This level enables the extension of linguistic and communicative abilities, which allows the student to communicate not only in everyday life but also to speak correctly in formal and professional situations.

Level QUATTRO- C2

Level QUATTRO- C2 is the advanced level of linguistic and communicative skills. This level is an extension of previously acquired linguistic and communicative skills, which allows the student to communicate perfectly both in personal and professional situations.

Exam and valuation

In order to obtain a certificate of one of the six levels it is necessary to pass the exam. The exam consists of five individual tests. The duration of the tests depends on the corresponding level of the exam.

The five individual tests are as follows:

Listening comprehension

Reading Comprehension

Grammar test

Written

Oral

Candidates must obtain at least the minimum score in each section to be awarded the CILS. If a candidate obtains the minimum score in only some sections, it is not necessary to repeat the whole exam, but only the part of the exam that the student did not pass. The section, which a student does not pass have to be repeated within one year.

The duration of the tests

The candidates, who have already taken the exam and have only passed parts of the exam, only have to pay the corresponding amount of the fee.

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