Certification of Italian as a foreign Language (cils)

Accademia Lingua Italiana Assisi is center of exams for Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language (CILS), recognized as an official title of linguistic achievement by Law 204 of 17 February 1992.

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. The CILS is recognized by the Italian State on the basis of an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is based on the parameters set out by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: teaching, learning and assessment. (CUP 2001 or downloadable in its 1997 version from the website http://culture.coe.fr/lang)
The levels are as follows:

European Framework CILS Levels
Basic User A1 Pre-CILS A1
A2 Pre-CILS A2
Independent User B1 CILS UNO
B2 CILS DUE
Competent User C1 CILS TRE
C2 CILS QUATTRO

CILS levels
The CILS covers four levels: ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR. Each of these represents a progressively higher level of linguistic and communicative ability. Each CILS level is autonomous and complete: the certification for each level represents a degree of communicative ability which is adequate for specific social, professional and scholastic contexts.
To obtain the Certificate in one of the four levels, it is necessary to pass an exam composed of five sections with tests in listening comprehension, reading comprehension, analyses of the structures of communication, writing skills and speaking skills.

Pre CILS levels
From 2001 two levels have been introduced for those who are at the beginning of the learning process, Pre CILS A1 and Pre CILS A2 corresponding to the European Framework levels A1 and A2. They certify an initial competence but not yet completely autonomous in terms of communicative competence. They have a modular structure, differentiated according to the candidates. At present modules have been set up for adult residents in Italy and for learners from language groups which are far removed from Italian (Japanese, Chines etc). From 2002 modules for adolescents and children of Italians who have emigrated from Italy and for immigrant children in Italy will be activated.

Applicants. All foreign citizens, Italian citizens residing abroad (descendants of Italian emigrants) and foreign immigrants in Italy may request to take the CILS exam. There are no age limits and applicants are not obliged to possess educational certificates or degrees, nor is it necessary to have obtained lower levels of the CILS in order to attempt the attainment of a higher level. The CILS exams are not bound to the study of specific methods or forms of Italian language courses. Each candidate can prepare for the CILS exams in the ways deemed most appropriate and suitable in accordance with the demands of the level.
The CILS is useful to those who study Italian, who work and study within an Italian context, and to those who wish to measure their capacity in Italian. Each CILS level denotes an ability to communicate which may be used in different contexts and situations. The ability of each level of certification for foreigners who wish to undertake activities in relation with Italian institutions for professional or scholastic purposes is established in the document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled "Coordinated system of Certificates of Italian for Foreigners", Rome 1998.
Many Italian companies that work abroad or that wish to hire foreigners, or foreign companies that do business with Italy, require that their employees possess a CILS certificate, in accordance with the work they are required to perform. For example, Level TWO is accepted as the minimum level of competence required by the Italian Railway Company for employees involved in security.

Exams and scores. All exams are produced and evaluated by the Certification Centre of the University of Siena for Foreigners on the basis of European standards set by the Council of Europe. 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, then the candidate may take subsequent exams in those sections in which he or she had not obtained the minimum score. The sections of the exam that have been passed are valid for one year from the date of the first exam.

The CILS exams are scheduled twice a year, at the beginning of June and December, on the same day for all test sites. A fee is charged for sitting the exam.