Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, temporary suspension of face-to-face assessment at Durham, and the obligations we have in our core role as a University, we are unable to offer CILS examinations in 2021.
We are currently planning to hold our next CILS examination session in late May / early June 2022. Further details will be released in due course. If you would like to be added to a contact list to receive updates on this, please contact languages.forall@durham.ac.uk
Please note that you may still be able to sit an examination this year at another centre. We cannot however provide any advice as to possible alternatives due to the present situation nationally and internationally.
The CILS Exam (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera, Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) is a proficiency examination to prove competence in the Italian language. The CILS certificates are official recognitions of the attained level of linguistic competence of Italian as a foreign language. As a certificate of proficiency, the exam can be taken at every level of competence, from Beginners to Advanced.
The Università per Stranieri di Siena is responsible for the exam papers, has established the competences standards in accordance to the European Framework for languages, and sets the dates of examination.
Students or staff at Durham University are asked to register with their university email address.
For any questions, please contact Mark Critchley.
Mark Critchley - Director, Centre for Foreign Language Study, School of Modern Languages & Cultures, Elvet Riverside, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3JT, UK.
For each level the CILS exams consist of five parts:
Each CILS level denotes an ability to communicate which may be used in different contexts and situations.
The Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera covers six levels: Level A1, Level A2, Level ONE-B1, Level TWO-B2, Level THREE-C1 and Level FOUR-C2. Each of these represents a progressively higher level of linguistic - grammar, syntax, vocabulary - and communicative ability.
The examinations are aligned to the common reference levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
For further info visit Siena University for Foreigners (CILS).
All learners of Italian as a foreign language, Italian citizens residing abroad (descendants of Italian emigrants), foreign citizens, and foreign immigrants in Italy may request to take the CILS exam. There are no age limits. Applicants are not obliged to possess previous educational certificates or degrees.
For Intermediate and above students it is not necessary to have passed lower levels of the CILS exams in order to attempt the attainment of higher levels. Candidate can prepare individually to sit the CILS exams, and we do not offer CILS preparation courses at Durham.