Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 2 (CELI 2)

This is an examination based on the Council of Europe's Threshold specification. It tests the language skills needed to interact in basic social situations in an Italian-speaking environment.

There are four components:

Reading

Candidates must be able to understand a variety of short written texts. They are expected to understand both the gist and specific details, in addition to scanning for factual information. Candidates must also be able to show an understanding of the grammatical function of words by filling gaps in simple phrases and texts. Texts are taken from public notices, advertisements, stories, cartoons, questionnaires, news items, etc. Such texts are not linguistically complex and have a clear underlying internal structure.

There are usually approximately fifteen short texts with thirty-seven items of the following task types: gap-filling, multiple-choice gap-filling, two- three- four-option multiple-choice.

Writing

Candidates must be able to write about daily routine, everyday events, personal preferences and other topics based on personal experience. They must be able to produce short written texts such as letters, postcards and messages, and also complete forms, questionnaires, etc., taking into account the specified audience and purpose.

There are three tasks. The first requires the candidate to fill in a form. The second and third involve writing two short, informal letters, a total of about 150 words, on different topics.

Listening

Candidates are expected to understand the gist and relevant details of a large number of short texts. They must be able to understand aspects of context such as time, place, characteristics of the speakers, etc. Texts take the form of announcements, radio news items, advertisements, telephone conversations, etc.

There are usually twelve short texts lasting twenty minutes, with thirty-three items of the following task types: three-option multiple-choice, matching.

Speaking

Candidates are tested individually. They must be able to handle a variety of basic communicative tasks and social situations.

The test begins with a general conversation in which candidates introduce themselves and respond to questions about themselves, their family, town, job and leisure-time activities. They then interact with the Examiner in a number of everyday communicative situations. The final task involves describing and commenting on a visual prompt (photograph, cartoon, etc.).

Weighting of components

Each component is equally weighted and is given 25% of the total marks.

Results

There are three pass grades (A, B and C), and all successful candidates are awarded certificates.