Lithuanian Proficiency Examination - Level B1

The aim of the examination is to determine whether the candidate‘s level of proficiency meets the requirements for Lithuanian as a state language Category II, i.e. Level B 1 (Threshold). Candidates are expected to be able to understand simple spoken and written texts on specific (concrete) topics and communicate in familiar and unfamiliar situations. Candidates are expected to be able to overcome sociolinguistic and linguistic challenges, candidates‘language may be inaccurate with L1 features, but this does not hinder communication. The examination covers the four language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking – and the use of Lithuanian.

Reading

Candidates are expected to show understanding of gist and detail of well-structured texts which occur in everyday life and work situations. Texts in the Reading paper are authentic newspaper and magazine articles, advertisements, interviews etc.

Use of Lithuanian

Candidates are expected to show knowledge and control of language structures which are used to express various language functions at the Threshold level. The Use of Lithuanian Paper covers basic grammar patterns (verb tenses, nouns, pronouns, word formation, prefixes etc).

Writing

Candidates are expected to be able to write semi-formal and formal letters (e.g. letter of application, letter of authorisation) and to complete various standard forms. The Writing Paper tests the candidate's ability to give information in writing, to use appropriate language structures, vocabulary and discourse markers, and to spell and punctuate correctly.

Listening

Candidates are expected to be able to understand factual information in spoken texts (monologs and dialogs) of formal and semi-formal register by doing such tasks as note-taking, it down, matching and marking true/false answers.

Speaking

Candidates are expected to show their ability to communicate orally in familiar and unfamiliar situations and to produce coherent spoken texts in situations of the Threshold level. Candidates are expected to describe, narrate, explain, compare, and give opinion and arguments.

Timing and Weighting

The Reading , Use of Lithuanian and Writing paper makes 60%, the Listening paper – 20%, and the Speaking paper – 20%of the total.

A short specification

Paper 1 - Reading , Use of Lithuanian and Writing (2 hours)

Number of Parts	Number of Questions/Marks	Weighting
Reading – 3	20 questions/marks
Use of Lithuanian – 4	40:2=20 marks	60 marks – 60% of the total
Writing – 2	20 marks

Paper 2 – Listening (30 minutes)

Number of Parts	Number of Questions/Marks	Weighting
Listening – 3	20 questions/marks	20 % of the total

Paper 3 – Speaking (13–17 minutes)

Number of Parts	Number of Questions/Marks	Weighting
Speaking – 3	20 questions/marks	20 % of the total

To pass the examination it is necessary to score 60 % of the total.