Polyglot blog

If French is not your first language, it is highly likely that you will have to take a French language test or obtain a French language diploma as proof of your French skills if you want to work or study in a French-speaking country. The following is an overview of the most well known French language tests and diplomas:
 
 
French Ministry of Education

DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française – Diploma in French language studies) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française – Higher diploma in French language studies) are official qualifications awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify the competency of candidates from outside France in the French language. DELF and DALF are composed of 6 independent diplomas that correspond to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (DELF A1, DELF A2, DELF B1, DELF B2, DALF C1 and DALF C2).
DELF junior is a special version of the DELF diploma designed for teenagers. The available levels are: DELF junior A1, DELF junior A2, DELF junior B1 and DELF junior B2.
The 6 diplomas that make up DELF and DALF are completely independent, which means that candidates can register for the examination of their choice, according to their level. At each level, 4 skills are evaluated: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

DILF (Diplôme Initial de Langue Française – Initial diploma in French language) is a qualification in French as a foreign language that assesses basic users (level A1.1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). It is an initial step towards the DELF and DALF.

Read the rest of this entry »

If Spanish is not your first language, it is highly likely that you will have to take a Spanish language test or obtain a Spanish language diploma as proof of your Spanish skills if you want to work or study in a Spanish-speaking country. The following is an overview of the most well known Spanish language tests and diplomas:
 
 
Instituto Cervantes
Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE)

The Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) (Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language), issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry for Education, in collaboration with the University of Salamanca, are official qualifications accrediting levels of competence and command of the Spanish language.

There are four different levels:
- Diploma de Español Nivel A1 (Starter level)
- Diploma de Español Nivel B1 (Inicial / Beginner level)
- Diploma de Español Nivel B2 (Intermedio / Intermediate level)
- Diploma de Español Nivel C2 (Superior / Proficiency level)

The examinations consist of five parts: reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, speaking.

The DELE diplomas are the only officially accredited qualifications issued by the Ministry for Education of the Kingdom of Spain that are administered internationally. They are recognized worldwide by private companies, chambers of commerce and public and private educational systems.

The exams are administered in more than 100 countries around the world.

More information on the Instituto Cervantes’ website.

Read the rest of this entry »

If English is not your first language, it is highly likely that you will have to take an English language test or obtain an English language diploma as proof of your English skills if you want to work or study in an English-speaking country. The following is an overview of the most well known English language tests and diplomas:
 
 
University of Cambridge ESOL examinations

The University of Cambridge, in the UK, offers a wide range of English language examinations for speakers of other languages, from beginner to advanced level, as well as academic English and professional English examinations and English teacher qualifications. The exams can be taken in many locations around the world and are widely recognized.

General English exams:

• Key English Test (KET) – basic English, level A2.
  This test consists of 3 parts: reading and writing, speaking and listening.
• Preliminary English Test (PET) – intermediate English, level B1.
  This test consists of 3 parts: reading and writing, speaking and listening.
• First Certificate in English (FCE) – upper-intermediate English, level B2.
  This test consists of 5 parts: reading, writing, use of English, speaking and listening.
  There are two set texts with one specific question on each. From December 2008 until December 2009 the set texts are:
  - Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
  - The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – advanced English, level C1.
  This test consists of 5 parts: reading, writing, use of English, speaking and listening.
  Two set texts are included in the writing paper with one text specific question on each. From December 2008 until December 2009 the set texts are:
  - Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
  - The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
• Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – highest level, C2.
  This test consists of 5 parts: reading, writing, use of English, speaking and listening.
  For 2009, one or both of the following texts may be read as background preparation for the two optional set text tasks:
  - Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
  - The Way I Found Her by Rose Tremain

Professional English exams:

• Business English Certificates (BEC), available in 3 levels:
  - BEC Preliminary (level B1)
  - BEC Vantage (level B2)
  - BEC Higher (level C1)
• International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) – levels B2 and C1
  The exam consists of four separate papers testing reading, writing, listening and speaking. Cambridge ILEC is based on realistic tasks and topics that legal practitioners might expect to encounter in their daily working lives.
  See also www.legalenglishtest.org for more information.
• International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE) – level B2 and C1
  Cambridge ICFE is comprised of four separate tests, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, and the exam lasts around 3.5 hours. The tasks are based on tasks and topics that finance professionals would expect to encounter in their daily lives.

You can find more detailed information on all Cambridge ESOL examinations on the University of Cambridge’s website.

Read the rest of this entry »