Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira (CIPLE)

The CIPLE corresponds to level A2 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe.

The A2 Reference Level description presents social contexts of communication, communicative situations, types of written and oral texts, communicative strategies, speech acts, topics and both specific and general concepts expected to be necessary for the use of the language in the communicative activities described below.

The CIPLE tests general basic capacity to deal with a limited number of predictable everyday communicative situations. Whether in the workplace or studying, holders of the CIPLE are expected to deal with communicative situations requiring very limited use of Portuguese which is no different from the general use of the language.

This examination consists of three components: Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking.

READING AND WRITING

Language users can

understand simple information/instructions on display on street and road signs as well as in public places, like shops, supermarkets, banks, post offices, hospitals, etc.;
understand timetables, e. g. train timetables, opening and closing hours of public services, etc.;
understand simple information related to directions and getting around;
understand basic information/instructions related to accommodation;
identify the main parts of a menu;
understand simple instructions for the use of medicines, namely what kind of ailment they cure (headache, sore throat) and how and when they should be taken (after meals);
understand information about goods on display;
understand messages on postcards, notes and memos;
identify the main sections of a newspaper/magazine, like sport, adverts, etc.;
get the general meaning of newspaper/magazine news, adverts and very simple articles;
fill in forms and personal questionnaires, e. g. to register at a hotel, open a bank account or to register with an institution;
write a postcard or letter containing simple personal information,
write a brief note or a request to a colleague on routine subject matters.

Format of the component:

Part I:
Reading public notices and brief texts.
The following task types are used: multiple choice, true/false, matching.
Part II:
Writing a brief note/postcard to a friend.
Writing a letter.
Duration:1 hr 15 mins
Weight: This component accounts for 45% of the total marks. Both parts are weighted equally.

LISTENING

Language users can:

understand simple communicative interactions with social context, like greeting, giving thanks, asking for/giving information about someone, congratulating , giving opinion, etc.,
understand general information related to personal identification and description (family relations, occupation, studies, spending leisure time)
understand routine instructions/questions asked at Immigration,
understand simple instructions about directions and getting around,
understand simple instructions about timetables and dates,
understand simple standard information about a tourist destination,
understand simple instructions about house/room rental (price, general conditions) and the functioning of a house (mealtimes, use of the kitchen, etc.),
understand simple information related to food,
understand information related to prices in shops and method of payment,
understand questions and simple instructions related to health,
understand information/instructions in banks and post offices,
understand very simple invitations,
understand simple information and opinions on current affairs,
understand simple phone messages.

Format of the component:

Listening to brief informal dialogues used in public, professional or educational communicatiive situations.
The following task types are used: multiple choice, true/false, matching.
Duration:30 mins
Weight: This component accounts for 30% of the total marks. Both parts are weighted equally.

SPEAKING

Language users can:

participate in simple communicative interactions with social context, like greeting, giving thanks, asking for/giving information about someone, answering questions, congratulating, toasting, giving opinion, etc.;
give information related to personal identification and description: family relations, occupation, studies, spending leisure time, interests;
answer routine instructions/questions asked at Immigration, giving the requested information;
ask for information/instructions about directions and getting around (on foot or by public transport);
book a hotel room (face to face) or another kind of accommodation, ask simple factual questions about accommodation as well as make remarks/complaints about customer service;
ask for goods in shops where goods are on display and ask for information about them;
call a waiter appropriately, order a meal in a restaurant as long as the dishes are either displayed or illustrated on the menu and ask simple questions about the menu;
make simple remarks/complaints about food, accommodation, etc.;
ask for information and make simple requests in post offices and banks;
give basic information about a health problem;
ask for help in emergency cases;
as tourist, ask for basic information related to a location, a monument, etc.,
participate in a simple informal conversation (e. g. on personal experiences, interests, current affairs, etc.,) expressing opinions and feelings.

Format of the component:

If possible, this component should be examined with two candidates at the same time.
Part I: Interaction with an examiner during which candidates are able to answer questions about themselves.
Part II: Role playing focused on transactional subject matters.
Part III: Interaction between the examiner and the candidates on current affairs.
Duration: 10 to 15 minutes with every pair of candidates.
Weight: This component accounts for 25% of the total marks.

FINAL GRADING

The grade of Muito Bom (Very Good) is awarded to candidates who achieved 85 to 100%.
The grade of Bom (Good) is awarded to candidates who achieved 70 to 84%.
The grade of Suficiente (Pass) is awarded to candidates who achieved 55 to 69%.

SCHEDULE

Component and Duration	Time
Reading and Writing (1 hr 15 mins)	15.00
Listening (30 mins)	16.30
Speaking (10 to 15 mins)	Please contact your Examination Centre