Not only IELTS and TOEFL: international language certificates

Certificate of language proficiency is a mandatory item in the list of documents for studying abroad.Moreover, this is not always the usual certificate in English, TOEFL or IELTS.If you enter a university where training takes place in another foreign language (Spanish, German, etc.), then you will be required to have an appropriate certificate.A language certificate may also be required when applying for a job, internship or when applying for a foreign residence permit.We figure out what certificates you need to take in order to confirm your knowledge of the main European and Asian languages.

German: telc, Goethe and TestDaF certificates

Let's just say that the first two certificates are similar.Both are recognized all over the world, both are divided into oral and written part, both are submitted in paper form, not electronic.Both telc and Goethe cover levels A1 to C2 and can be used for work, study or paperwork.

The differences between them are organizational.The telc exam is conducted in 10 languages, while the Goethe exam focuses only on German.The organizations that conduct them are also different.Telc is administered by an educational institution in Frankfurt and the Goethe exam is administered by the Goethe-Institut.

If the choice is only between telf and the Goethe certificate, then we suggest focusing first of all on which testing center is closer to you.The telc centers are listedhereand the Goethe centershere .

The TestDaF certificate is another story.It includes only levels from B2 to C1 and is intended primarily for those who want to pursue higher education in Germany.If your level is below B2, then as a result you will simply receive a message that you have not yet reached the desired level.Registration for the TestDaF exam is carried out online through its official website, and onexam you come to one ofauthorized centers .

Examples of tasks:telc ,Goethe certificate ,TestDaF

French: DELF DALF

The DELF DALF French exam covers levels A1 to C2.In this exam, unlike IELTS, for example, there is no final score.For successful delivery, you just need to collect a certain minimum.

DELF DALF is created in the format defined by the French Ministry of Education and is recognized worldwide.

The exam is offered in different formats, the format depends on the age and the purpose of taking:

1. DELF tout public: for adults, covers levels A1 - B2
2. DELF Prim: for children from 7 to 12 who are learning French in elementary school.Covers levels A1.1, A1, A2
3. DELF junior: for young people from 12 to 17 years old, includes levels from A1 to B2
4. DELF scolaire: for schoolchildrenfrom 12 to 17 years old, offers levels from A1 to B2
5. DELF Pro: for those who want to enter the labor market in France or advance within a French company.Covers levels A1 to B2
6. DALF: for adults, includes levels C1 to C2

all over the world, their complete list is availablehere .

Examplesassignments

Italian: CILS and CELI certificates

There are two main language certificates in Italy - CILS and CELI.Both are organized by universities.The first one takes place thanks to the Università per Stranieri di Siena, and the second one is due to the Università per Stranieri di Perugia.These exams differ in orientation.

CILS is a general examination required for admission to study, work or teaching Italian.You can take it at the Institute of Italian Culture, which are located throughoutthe world .A complete guide to the exam is published on the university website (in Italian), you can read ithere .Like the French exam, CILS only has a passing score - to pass the exam, you need to score 55 points out of 100.

CELI is designed for two specific groups of people - immigrants and young peoplefrom 13 to 17 years old.The first type of exam includes levels A1 - B1, and the second one - A1 - B2.

Job examples:CILS ,CELI

Spanish: DELE

In Spanish, everything is a little simpler than in Italian - there is only one main certificate, it is called DELE.DELE is issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and is required for both study and work.The centers are traditionally located all over the world, their full list is availablehere .

ExamplesAssignments

Chinese: HSK

HSK Certificate- This is a government-issued document of the Ministry of Education of the PRC and the only existing certificate of knowledge of the Chinese language.It is held by the Confucius Institute around the world, the dates and venue can be viewedhere .

ExamplesAssignments

Japanese: JLPT

Certificate forknowledge of the Japanese language has three interesting distinctive features: price, oral part and time of delivery.

As for the price - it costs much less than most of the exams listed above.The cost varies depending on the level and averages $ 30.

And the oral part, it simply does not exist.That is, in order to receive a certificate in Japanese language proficiency, you must score a certain number of points in a written exam.

Unlike most of the exams on the list, JLPT is taken only twice a year, in winter and summer, so we suggest keeping a close eye on the official exam website andtesting centers>.

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