The Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (CILS) exams are one of the two types of Italian language exam available in Italy and internationally:
- CILS exams are organised by the University of Siena for Foreigners and are recognised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- CILS exams are offered at six different levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2), each consisting of tests of listening, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar/vocabulary.
- If you pass each section of the exam you’ll be awarded the certificate. If you fail any section, you can retake it in the future, paying only for that section.
Why you should include a CILS exam in your study plan
Studying for an exam will give you a clear goal, ensure that you organise your studies effectively, and motivate you by demonstrating the progress that you have made with your Italian.
The qualification will be a valuable addition to your resume/CV and can help you demonstrate to a potential employer your level of proficiency in Italian.
For Italian teachers they are an essential proof of your knowledge of the language that you teach.
And for students who wish to study at Italian universities, CILS certificates are acceptable to show that your Italian language skills meet the minimum requirements.
Would a course help you prepare for your exam?
Our teachers are experts, and our study centre contains exam practice material for the CILS exams to aid you in your preparation. There’s also our “afternoon tutor”, who is available FREE each day from 14.00 to 16.00.
