Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language (CILS)

CILS certification (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is an official qualification issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena that certifies the level of competence in Italian as a foreign language.

CILS certification (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera)

It is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is useful for those who study or work in Italian-speaking environments, or who need to prove their Italian language proficiency for various purposes, including university admission or citizenship applications.

The CILS certification follows the six levels established by the

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),

from A1 (basic user) to C2 (proficient user).

Each level assesses linguistic and communicative competence in different contexts and situations, testing skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

There are also specific CILS exams tailored for particular needs, such as the B1 Citizenship level for those applying for Italian citizenship and the A2 Integration level for long-term residence permits.

In general, the exam is composed of five main tests:

Listening Test: This section evaluates your ability to understand spoken Italian in different contexts. You will listen to audio recordings (dialogues, short monologues, announcements, etc.) and will have to answer questions or complete exercises based on what you have heard.

Reading Comprehension Test: This part tests your ability to understand written texts of various types (newspaper articles, emails, instructions, literary texts, etc.). You will have to read the texts and answer questions, choose the correct option or do other tasks to demonstrate your understanding.

Communication Structure Analysis Test: This section focuses on your knowledge of Italian grammar and vocabulary and your ability to manipulate language structures appropriately. It may include exercises such as completing sentences, transforming sentences, identifying grammatical or lexical errors, matching elements, etc.

Writing Production Test: In this test, you will have to demonstrate your ability to express yourself in Italian in written form. You will be given one or two writing tasks, such as writing a letter, an email, a short essay, describing a picture or expressing your opinion on a topic. The assessment will take into account grammatical accuracy, appropriate vocabulary, coherence and the ability to communicate your message effectively.

Speaking Test: This is an individual test in which you will have to interact orally with an examiner. It is usually divided into two parts: a first part in which you may have to talk about yourself, your interests or answer personal questions, and a second part in which you may have to simulate a conversation with the examiner on a specific topic or describe and comment on images. The assessment is based on your fluency, pronunciation, grammatical accuracy, vocabulary and ability to communicate effectively.

To pass the CILS exam and obtain certification, you must achieve a minimum score in each of the five tests.

Each CILS level has a total exam duration and a specific duration for each individual test.

The exam results are published online by the CILS Center within a certain period of time from the exam date.

The CILS certificate is issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena and is usually sent to the exam centers, where you can collect it.

I recommend that you consult the official website of the CILS Center of the University for Foreigners of Siena:

University for Foreigners of Siena

for detailed information on the specific structure of the exam for the level you are interested in, the length of the tests, the evaluation criteria and to find examples of past tests that can help you prepare.

In short

The CILS exam serves to:

Officially certify your Italian language skills.

Gain professional and academic recognition in Italy and abroad

Facilitate enrollment at Italian universities for foreign students (depending on the required level of the respective universities).

Demonstrate language skills for various purposes (e.g., Italian citizenship, in some cases for personal reasons).

The exam is divided into six levels, corresponding to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR):

Levels A1 and A2: Elementary levels, which certify initial language skills.

Level One – B1: Intermediate level, certifies the ability to understand and write simple texts on familiar topics.

Level Two – B2: Upper Intermediate, certifies the ability to understand and compose complex texts on a wide range of topics.

Level Three – C1: Advanced, certifies good language skills in complex contexts.

Level Four – C2: Master level, certifies a very high level of language proficiency, comparable to that of an educated native speaker.

The following five language skills are tested for each level:

Listening

Reading

Analysis of communication structures (grammar and vocabulary)

Written production

Oral production

The exams take place annually in various sessions at authorized CILS locations in Italy and around the world. With the CILS certification, you can concretely demonstrate your knowledge of the Italian language and open up a wide range of opportunities.

Book a free trial lesson with me now: I will provide you with all the support you need to pass the CILS exam and achieve your language goals. I look forward to hearing from you!