CILS

General

CILS is the abbreviation for "Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera" dt certificate for Italian as a foreign language. CILS are official language certificates for proof of Italian language proficiency, for Italian as a Foreign Language, awarded by the University of Siena and recognized by the Italian State.

competence

The University for Foreigners in Siena (University of Stranieri di Siena) is responsible for the organization, coordination and preparation of the exams,

The CILS is divided into three categories with a total of six levels, which correspond to the six levels of competence (A1 - C2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and are each dependent on the language level.

The special CILS expertise consists of competence and experience:

• the CILS test office in the field of linguistics and didactics
• the CILS validation center in psychometric analysis and quality assurance
• of the CILS service team audit processing with its customer focus and its implementation standards
• the CILS Evaluation Center, which guarantees a safe and efficient result assessment

quality features

CILS language exams are developed using the latest test methodology and the highest scientific standards. A constant check on the validity, reliability and objectivity of the tests ensures the highest level of quality.

CILS exam formats are based on the ALTE quality criteria and are regularly reviewed externally. They are based on a comprehensive needs analysis and thus represent the actual linguistic challenges of everyday life.

Special quality features are:

• the transparency of the requirements and thus fairness towards the participants
• the professional standardization of the test format
• the qualified licensing of the examiners
• the constant statistical assurance of a constant difficulty, selectivity and rater reliability

recognition

The recognition is international and applies equally to academic and professional life. In Italy, the certificates are recognized by universities as well as public and private institutions as official qualifications.

The exams can be taken in more than 700 institutions in more than 100 countries worldwide. The validity of CILS language certificates is unlimited.

CILS A2 exam

CILS A2 is a general language test that you can usually take after 250 - 300 hours of lessons.

At level A2, you can easily communicate in typical everyday situations. In familiar situations, you can have short conversations. You can use simple grammatical structures correctly.

The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 80 minutes. Before the oral exam you have 15 minutes preparation time. The oral test may take place on the day of the written test or on another day.

audit process

CILS B1 exam

CILS B1 is a general language exam that you can usually take after completing 350-400 lessons.

At level B1, you can communicate in a simple and coherent way in everyday life, traveling and in your own area of interest. They can report on experiences, describe goals and justify views. You can generally use the most important grammatical structures correctly.

The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Before the oral exam you have 20 minutes preparation time. The oral test may take place on the day of the written test or on another day

audit process

CILS B2 exam

CILS B2 is a general language exam that you can usually take after 450-500 hours of lessons and examines general language French language skills at an advanced level.

At level B2 you can express yourself clearly and in detail as well as successfully argue and negotiate. You have a large vocabulary in your own area of expertise and for most general topics. You master the grammar quite well.

The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes. Before the oral exam you have 20 minutes preparation time. The oral test may take place on the day of the written test or on another day.

audit process