Zertifikat Lëtzebuergesch als Friemsprooch (ZLaF)

This is an examination based on the Council of Europes Waystage specification.

There are three components:

Reading

After reading a simple text of between sixty and 100 words in length, candidates are expected to demonstrate orally that they have a global understanding of the purpose and the content of the text. They may be asked questions about relevant details.

Candidates have to demonstrate general understanding of a short note, a short, simple text or an advertisement, identifying the main points of the text or scanning for information in order to perform simple tasks related to it.

Writing

Candidates must be able to write a short note or message. At this level spelling is not taken into consideration for purposes of evaluation, provided it does not seriously interfere with the intelligibility of the text.

Listening / Speaking

Candidates are tested individually by two examiners. The test consists of three parts: oral interaction, listening comprehension and oral expression. They have a short conversation with one of the examiners on everyday topics or personal experiences. As a comprehension test they have to identify the main points of a short everyday message, which is recorded. As a test of oral expression they have to describe a picture.

Candidates must be able to communicate at an elementary level. They have to exchange simple information in a limited number of predictable everyday situations and describe briefly an object, person or event.

Weighting of components

Each component is individually assessed and certificated. In the case of the Listening/Speaking component, interaction, comprehension and oral expression are each assessed, and are given equal weighting, at 33.3% of the total.

Results

There are two grades: Pass and Fail. Each individual component is graded. Certificates are awarded to all successful candidates.