CILS (Qualification)
Encyclopedia
The Certificazione di Italiano come lingua straniera, (Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language) or CILS is a qualification
offered by the Foreigners University of Siena
for foreign speakers of the Italian language
, recognizing various levels of language proficiency. The qualification is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is often used to grant acceptance in any Italian university
or higher education
institution in Italy
.
students. Subsequent movements for the dissemination of the Italian language
and the Italian culture have also been established and promoted during history. The Foreigners University of Siena
embodies the role nowadays for the official creation, distribution and awarding of the CILS qualification.
of the European Council
. Therefore six levels of increasing difficulty represent the examinations involved to obtain the certificate. The beginner level examination starts at level A1 whilst the most advanced level is C2. As such the qualification resembles the DELF/DALF used for recognizing French language
ability. This said, however, the qualification is often seen as comprising four levels (from CILS Uno to CILS Quattro, B1 to C2 according to the European Framework) as the Italian required becomes more advanced. All examinations cover what are viewed as the most important elements in language acquisition: speaking, reading, written composition, analysis of structures of communication and listening.
The first (B1) of the more advanced levels requires the passing of a three hour-long examination, testing an applicant's knowledge of basic Italian.
CILS Due
The second level (B2) features a four hour-long examination with an advancement of difficulty. This level is considered as recognizing an applicant's sustained ability to adequately converse in Italian and is the level from which one may apply for entrance to an Italian university
without sitting the normally obligatory language assessment.
CILS Tre
The third level (C1) is again another advancement in difficulty and represents a high competence in speaking Italian. An applicant must pass a five hour-long examination to receive this level of qualification.
CILS Quattro
The fourth level (C2) is the highest level of the CILS qualifications. Upon successful completion of the five and a half-hour long examination of this level an applicant is regarded as having reached a point of language mastery, almost akin to that of a native.
, awarding the appropriate level of qualification when an applicant scores the minimum pass mark required or above. The examinations traditionally take place on the June and December of every year.
Many centres around the world, including the University for Foreigners of Siena, organize preparatory lessons and guides to best confront the rigours of the exams.
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
offered by the Foreigners University of Siena
Foreigners University of Siena
The University for Foreigners Siena is a university located in Siena, Italy. It is one of the two Italian universities oriented towards study by foreign students . The university has one Faculty and one Department .- External links :*...
for foreign speakers of the Italian language
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, recognizing various levels of language proficiency. The qualification is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is often used to grant acceptance in any Italian university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
or higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
institution in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Origins
The origins of the modern CILS qualification are said to date back to 1588 when the Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinand I created a school for learning of the then Tuscan Italian language for GermanGerman language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
students. Subsequent movements for the dissemination of the Italian language
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
and the Italian culture have also been established and promoted during history. The Foreigners University of Siena
Foreigners University of Siena
The University for Foreigners Siena is a university located in Siena, Italy. It is one of the two Italian universities oriented towards study by foreign students . The university has one Faculty and one Department .- External links :*...
embodies the role nowadays for the official creation, distribution and awarding of the CILS qualification.
Structure of the Qualification
The qualification is officially issued on successful completion of a particular level as conforming with the Common European Framework of Reference for LanguagesCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, abbreviated as CEFR, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries...
of the European Council
European Council
The European Council is an institution of the European Union. It comprises the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council, currently Herman Van Rompuy...
. Therefore six levels of increasing difficulty represent the examinations involved to obtain the certificate. The beginner level examination starts at level A1 whilst the most advanced level is C2. As such the qualification resembles the DELF/DALF used for recognizing French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
ability. This said, however, the qualification is often seen as comprising four levels (from CILS Uno to CILS Quattro, B1 to C2 according to the European Framework) as the Italian required becomes more advanced. All examinations cover what are viewed as the most important elements in language acquisition: speaking, reading, written composition, analysis of structures of communication and listening.
Qualification Levels
CILS UnoThe first (B1) of the more advanced levels requires the passing of a three hour-long examination, testing an applicant's knowledge of basic Italian.
CILS Due
The second level (B2) features a four hour-long examination with an advancement of difficulty. This level is considered as recognizing an applicant's sustained ability to adequately converse in Italian and is the level from which one may apply for entrance to an Italian university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
without sitting the normally obligatory language assessment.
CILS Tre
The third level (C1) is again another advancement in difficulty and represents a high competence in speaking Italian. An applicant must pass a five hour-long examination to receive this level of qualification.
CILS Quattro
The fourth level (C2) is the highest level of the CILS qualifications. Upon successful completion of the five and a half-hour long examination of this level an applicant is regarded as having reached a point of language mastery, almost akin to that of a native.
Qualification Eligibility
Eligibility for the CILS qualification is open to all (Italian residents abroad and non-Italian speakers) wishing to validate their skills in Italian. Applicants of any age are eligible to apply with the preparation for the examination highly encouraged.Procedure
To sit the examination, applicants must pay for registration (prices varying between countries) and then sit it at any certified examination centre. When an exam has been completed, the University for Foreigners of Siena evaluates, following the guidelines of the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, awarding the appropriate level of qualification when an applicant scores the minimum pass mark required or above. The examinations traditionally take place on the June and December of every year.
Many centres around the world, including the University for Foreigners of Siena, organize preparatory lessons and guides to best confront the rigours of the exams.