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Language learning |
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| HOME | DOWNLOAD | REGISTER | WHAT'S
NEW | LANGUAGE DATABASE | |
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If you need to certificate your command of a foreign language, consider
taking internationally recognized examinations.
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In order to make it easier for you to compare
certificates for different languages, we will adopt the following
framework of proficiency levels proposed by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), indicating its approximate
correspondence with the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (CEFR) set by the Council
of Europe.
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ALTE |
CEFR |
Description |
Example context |
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
A1/A2 |
Basic lingo, "traveller's guide" style. |
Holidays. |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
B1 |
Knowledge of basic rules, smalltalk. |
Working as a waiter or as a taxi driver. |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
B2 |
Recognition of context and style. |
Working at a tourism office. |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
(B2) |
Use of different styles. |
First university studies in the foreign language. |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
C1 |
Recognition of culture-specific points. |
High-level academic work. |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User* |
C2 |
Use of culture-specific points. |
High-level academic work in arts. |
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*Level 6 was introduced by us and is not an official ALTE level.
To know which precise skills are required for each level, refer to the ALTE website or to the CEFR website, or to the explanation of CEFR levels in German provided
by the Goethe-Institut.
The ALTE was founded in 1990. Among its members are prestigious institutions
such as Cambridge University (UK) and the Goethe-Institut (Germany). Currently, it covers 24 languages. Anyway, on this page
we will try to apply these standards to certificates for other languages.
Alternative certification systems:
- A similar framework was developed by the ACTFL (American Council for
the Teaching of Foreign Languages), but levels are skill-specific. Standard tests are also available for specific
purposes, e.g. for business, professional, or academic use.
- UNIcert® is an interuniversity language certificate developed in aegis of the AKS
(Arbeitskreis der Sprachenzentren, Sprachlehrinstitute und Fremdspracheninstitute) of the University of Bochum,
Germany. The AKS is an association of some 100 language centers of various German-speaking universities.
More links:
http://www.language-learning.net/US/certs.htm
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Certificates are conferred by Eusko Jaurlaritza / Basque Regional
Government (Basque Country, Spain). |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Department of Language Learning
(DLL) of the University of Sofia "St Kliment Ohridski".
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Standard Test of Bulgarian as a Foreign Language (STBFL) Basic |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Standard Test of Bulgarian as a Foreign Language (STBFL) Intermediate |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Standard Test of Bulgarian as a Foreign Language (STBFL) Advanced |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Direcció General de Política Lingüística of the Generalitat de Catalunya / Catalan
Regional Government (Catalonia, Spain).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Certificat de nivell bàsic de català (A bàsic) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Certificat de nivell elemental de català (A elemental) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Certificat de nivell intermedi de català (B) |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Certificat de nivell de suficiència de català (C) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Certificat de nivell superior de català (D) |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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Note: These diplomas supersede the old Certificat Internacional
de Català (Bàsic, Llindar, Avançat) conferred by the same institution and the Certificat de
Coneixements (A, B, C, and D) conferred by the Junta Permanent de Català.
In addition to these diplomas, there are others related to specific fields: public administration (labeled G),
law (J), business (M) and proofreading (K). For more information, see the website of the Catalan Regional Government.
Remember that Catalan and Valencian are usually regarded to be the same language. Apart from existing political
status and controversy, diplomas for both "languages" are usually recognized as interchangeable. The
following certifications are conferred by the Junta
Qualificadora de Coneixements del Valencià, a department of the Valencian
Regional Government (Spain).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Certificat grau elemental |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Certificat grau mitjà |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Certificat grau superior |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the State Commission of the Chinese Proficiency Test.
(Information also from Beijing
Language and Culture University.)
These are included in the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) / Chinese Proficiency Test.
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Basic |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Elementary-Intermediate |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Advanced |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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Hong Kong University (Hong Kong, P.R.China) also offers the Certificate in Chinese Language (CertChinLang)
and the Diploma [...] (DiplChinLang). |
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The Akademie J.A. Komenského
(Czech Republic) is affiliated to The
European Language Certificates promoted by the German adult education
centers (Volkshochschulen). |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Danish Language Testing Consortium (Denmark).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Test 1 |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Test 2 |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Danskprøve 2 |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT) of the Université Catholique de Louvain
(Belgium) and the Instituut
voor Toetsontwikkeling (CITOgroep) (Netherlands).
These levels are included in the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Examen Elementaire Kennis (CNaVT) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Staatsexamen Nederlands als Tweede Taal, Examen I (NT2-I)
Examen Basiskennis (CNaVT) |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Staatsexamen Nederlands als Tweede Taal, Examen II (NT2-II)
Examen Uitgebreide Kennis (CNaVT) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES)
(United Kingdom):
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Key English Test (KET) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Preliminary English Test (KET) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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First Certificate in English (FCE) |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The University of Cambridge and British Council also offer the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS test is required prior to enroling in a British, Australian, or New Zealand university.
It is also recognized by a number of North American universities, by European universities for so-called international
studies, and by professional bodies and immigration services in other countries.
Unlike the certifications mentioned above, the IELTS test is an all-in-one test with no levels.
Passing the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL)
is required prior to enroling in a North American (USA / Canada) college or
university. The TOEFL is an all-in-one test with no levels: the score you get is what counts.
GRE (Graduate
Record Examination) is meant for college graduates and tests proficiency
in the jargon of 16 different subjects. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) tests overall
verbal, mathematical, and analytical skills of people pursuing postgraduate studies in management.
There are various other diplomas on the market. For example, the Test of English for International Communication
(TOEIC),
supervised by a for-profit company and focusing on English "for the workplace". Moreover, the University
of Cambridge offers the International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) and the International Certificate in Financial
English (ICFE). |
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Say what? xD |
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Certificates are conferred by the Ministry of Education (Estonia). |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Jyväskylän yliopisto / University
of Jyväskylä (Finland).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Suomen kieli, perustaso 1 |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Suomen kieli, perustaso 2-3 / keskitaso 3 |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Suomen kieli, keskitaso 4-5 / ylin taso 5 |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Suomen kieli, ylin taso 6 |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Suomen kieli, ylin taso 7-8 |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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See Dutch. |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Alliance Française (France).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Certificat d'Études de Français Pratique 1 (CEFP1) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Certificat d'Études de Français Pratique 2 (CEFP2) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Diplôme de Langue Française (DL)
[DELF / DALF] |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Diplôme Supérieur d'Études Françaises Modernes
(DS) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Diplôme de Hautes Études Françaises (DHEF) |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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See Irish Gaelic. |
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Certificates are conferred by the Xunta de Galicia (Galicia, Spain).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Certificado de Lingua Galega (CELGA) 1 |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Certificado de Lingua Galega (CELGA) 2 |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Certificado de Lingua Galega (CELGA) 3 |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Certificado de Lingua Galega (CELGA) 4 |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Certificado de Lingua Galega (CELGA) 5 |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband or the Goethe Institut
(Germany).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Start Deutsch 2
Grundbaustein Deutsch als Fremdsprache (GBS DaF) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD)
[formerly known as Z. D. als Fremdsprache (ZDaF)] |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP)
Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) |
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Similar certifications are provided by the Austrian ÖSD consortium.
For more information on university access and business-oriented diplomas, see Deutsche Kultur International. |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Eqniko kai kahodistriako Panehisthmio Aqhnwn
/ University of Athens (Greece).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Veveosi Elinomathias |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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Certificates are conferred by the Idegennyelvi Továbbképzö Központ (ITK) (Hungary). |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann (ITÉ) (Ireland).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Réamhtheastas Gaeilge (RTG) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Bunteastas Gaeilge (BTG) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Università per Stranieri, Perugia
(Italy).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 1
(CELI 1) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 2
(CELI 2) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 3
(CELI 3) |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 4
(CELI 4) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 5
(CELI 5) |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is a yearly test for non-native students,
administered by the Japan
Foundation. JLPT certification is required by all major Japanese
universities.
Note: The following classification into ALTE levels is tentative.
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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JLPT 4 |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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JLPT 3 |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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JLPT 2 |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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JLPT 1 |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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Certificates are conferred by the Naturalisation Board of Latvia. |
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Certificates are conferred by Vilnius University (Lithuania). |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Centre de Langues Luxembourg (CLL).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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Zertifikat Lètzebuergesch als Friemsprooch (ZLaF) |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Éischten Diplom Lètzebuergesch als Friemsprooch (1DLaF) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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Zweten Diplom Lètzebuergesch als Friemsprooch (2DLaF) |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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Ieweschten Diplom Lètzebuergesch (IDL) |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Universitetet i Bergen and the Folkeuniversitetet (Norway).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Språkprøven i norsk for voksne innvandrere |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Test i norsk for fremmedspråklige Høyere nivå |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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Certificates are conferred by Jagiellonian University - Instytut Polonijny
(Poland). |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal).
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LEVEL 1
Waystage User |
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LEVEL 2
Threshold User |
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Certificado de Língua Portuguesa (CELP) |
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LEVEL 3
Independent User |
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LEVEL 4
Competent User |
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Diploma de Língua Portuguesa (DILP) |
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LEVEL 5
Good User |
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LEVEL 6*
Excellent User |
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The following certifications are conferred by the Head Russian Language
Testing Consortium of the Ministry for Compulsory and Professional Education of the Russian Federation. (For more
information, see the Regional
Russian Language Testing Center for Foreigners of the St. Petersburg
State University.)
These levels are included in the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL).
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