The CILS certification is an officially recognized qualification and is an important tool for work and also in education and academia.

The numerous certificates of proficiency in the Italian language are issued by institutions or universities (Università per Stranieri di Siena, Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Università di Venice, Università di Roma Tre) or by cultural institutions of various kinds (Accademia Italiana di Lingua, Società Dante Alighieri).

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci is an recognized center, approved by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, for CILS certification exams.

CILS (Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language)

The CILS certification is standardized by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​and is divided into various competence levels that this document (CEFR) introduces. The CILS certification levels are as follows: A1-A2 (basic learner), B1-B2 (independent learner, central), C1-C2 (competent learner). In each level linguistic competence is evaluated - communication and the four fundamental skills. For this reason, the exam is divided into the following sections: written comprehension, oral reading comprehension, writing skills, more specifically morphosyntactic and lexical and oral production. The tests shall be either multiple choice, or semistructured (revision of texts from data elements), or open (free development on a theme). Each of the sections are evaluated and scored independently. To pass the exam and receive the certification, you must obtain a sufficient score in each section. If you have reached a sufficient score in only some of the sections, it is still possible to capitalize on your positive results and, within a calendar year, you may repeat the test only for the sections in which you had not previously reached the minimum score required to pass.

The CILS is the first certification of Italian to have achieved these specific modules for foreign workers in Italy. It is important to remember that the CILS A2 module integration is recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ‘Fluency in Italian’ – this is helpful for obtaining the residence permit for long period stays.

Course Preparation for the CILS

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci organizes specific courses aimed toward those who want to obtain the CILS certification. Those courses are held during the weeks immediately prior to the exam dates established by the Università per Stranieri di Siena and aim to provide thorough preparation with regard to the different skills required. The preparation, on one end, analyzes and tests the evidence of previous examinations, while also carrying out specific problems that the teacher may identify.

Analysis and testing of the examination. First, the student is given a comprehensive overview of the various sections that make up the exam. The teacher then introduces the individual tests illustrating their nature, main characteristics and assessment criteria used at the time of correction. It then goes on to the practice during which students face the tests, first without the time constraints imposed by the true examination, then trying to stay within those limits.

Insight. Thanks to test corrections, there are continuously assessed aspects that the student should complie and utilize in proposed reinforcement activities . The teacher identifies, from time to time, critical points and specific difficulties,  and program revisions targeted through certain topics through theoretical explanations and educational activities.