the European Language Certificates
the European Language Certificates, or telc - language tests, are international standardised tests of ten different languages. It is managed by telc GmbH, which is a subsidiary of the German Adult Education Association (DVV). telc - language tests can be taken in English, German, Turkish, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Czech, and Arabic.
telc characteristics
telc - language tests incorporates the following features:[1]
- telc tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in ten languages.
- telc examinations are geared to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching and assessment.
- In Germany the telc GmbH is the exclusive partner of the federal government for the language test taken at the end of the integration courses for migrants.
- In Germany telc certificates are recognized as the official proof of German language competence in order to receive citizenship.
- In Poland the telc certificate is recognized as the proof of language competence for civil service applicants.
- In Hungary students must prove language competence at B2 level in order to obtain their university degree. telc examinations are state-approved in Hungary.
- In Switzerland telc certificates are accepted as pre-requisites to obtain Swiss citizenship.
telc structure
All candidates must complete four modules (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to obtain a score.
Written Examination
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension covers three types of tasks: reading for gist, reading for detail, and selective reading.
Language elements
The Language Elements part covers two tasks. In the first task the candidates are required to accomplish a multiple choice test choosing from three different alternatives. In the second task the candidates are required to complete a text with ten words choosing from 15 words. The Language Elements tests grammatical accuracy and vocabulary as well.
Listening
The listening task comprises three types of tasks: Listening for gist, listening for detail, and selective listening.
Writing
The writing task consists of only one part. The candidate can choose from two situations and has to write a formal letter (letter of application, letter of complaint or letter of enquiry).
Oral Examination
Each oral examination for telc English (B2) normally takes place with two candidates. For each examination there are two examiners. In exceptional cases, e.g. when there is an odd number of candidates at the examination centre, the candidates may be tested in three. The examination is intended to have the character of a conversation, not an interrogation. The main task of the examiners is to supervise the conversation. They are instructed to say as little as possible. For the purpose of the examination, it is more important for the candidate to have an active conversation with his/her partner. The candidate should respond to what his/her partner says without trying to dominate the conversation. Both candidates are expected to involve themselves in the conversation so as to produce an interesting dialogue on a variety of topics. It will have a positive effect on the candidate's mark if he/she tries to help his/her partner, should he/she at any time have problems trying to express what he/she would like to say. The oral examination lasts about 15 minutes with two candidates, 25 minutes with three candidates. Before the examination starts, the candidate has twenty minutes to prepare for the examination with the help of candidate sheets giving details of the tasks the candidate will have to complete. During this preparation time, the candidate is not allowed to communicate with his/her partner.
Presentation
In this part of the examination the candidates should present something briefly to their partner. They can choose from two topics. The presentation should not be longer than 90 seconds. It should only be interrupted if something is really not understood. After the presentation, the candidate has to answer the questions his/her partner asks. The same procedure applies to all candidates: presentation, questions and answers.
Discussion
In this part of the examination the candidates will have a discussion on a controversial topic. First, the candidates should say something about the text they have read during the preparation. The candidates have to present the arguments or points they think are interesting. In the discussion which follows, they will be expected to give their own opinion on the topic concerned. They have to make sure they have a discussion in which they express their points of view, they have to exchange arguments and respond to what their partner says.
Task
In this part of the examination the candidates will be given a task to carry out. The candidates will be given only the situation and will have to think of the details themselves. The candidates should think about all the points they wish to make, express their opinions, make suggestions and respond to what their partner says.
Duration
| Sub-Test | Duration |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension and Language Elements | 90 minutes |
| Writing | 30 minutes |
| Listening | 25–30 minutes |
| Speaking | 15–20 minutes |
Points
| Sub-Test | Maximum Number of Points |
|---|---|
| WRITTEN EXAMINATION | 225 |
| Reading Comprehension | 75 |
| Part 1 | 25 |
| Part 2 | 25 |
| Part 3 | 25 |
| Language Elements | 30 |
| Part 1 | 15 |
| Part 2 | 15 |
| Listening Comprehension | 75 |
| Part 1 | 25 |
| Part 2 | 25 |
| Part 3 | 25 |
| Writing | 45 |
| ORAL EXAMINATION | 75 |
| Presentation | 25 |
| Discussion | 25 |
| Task | 25 |
| TOTAL POINTS | 300 |
Languages
| Language | CEFR levels | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | |
| Arabic | - | - | B1 | - | - | - |
| Czech | - | - | B1 | - | - | - |
| English | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
| French | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | - | - |
| German | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
| Italian | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | - | - |
| Portuguese | - | - | B1 | - | - | - |
| Russian | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | - | - |
| Spanish | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | - | - |
| Turkish | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | - |
Arabic
telc - language tests offers Arabic language exam at B1 CEFR level for learners with basic skills who can already communicate fairly well in everyday situations.
Czech
In Czech telc offers a language exam at B1 level for learners with basic skills who can already communicate fairly well in everyday situations.
English
telc - language tests offers English language exams at all CEFR levels. In addition, at A2, A2-B1, B1 and B2 CEFR levels candidates can take a 'School' exam which is specially designed for pupils aged about 12 to 16. At A2-B2, B1, B1-B2, B2 and B2-C1 CEFR levels candidates can take 'Business' exams which is designed specially for learners who wish to prove their language competence in various everyday business situations. At B1 CEFR level candidates can take 'Hotel and restaurant' exam which is designed for learners who wish to prove their language competence in the hotel and restaurant fields. At B2 CEFR level candidates can take 'Technical' exam which is designed for advanced learners in technical professions.
French
There are four levels in French (A1, A2, B1 and B2). In addition, at A2 CEFR level candidates can choose from TELC Français A2 (for learners after completing an average of 250 – 300 teaching units) or TELC Français A2 Ecole which is designed for school pupils aged about 12 to 16 (in classes 7 to 10). At B1 level telc Français B1 there are two options for learners with basic skills who can already communicate fairly well in everyday situations or TELC Français B1 Ecole which is designed for school pupils aged about 14 to 17 (in classes 9 to 11).
German
telc - language tests can be taken at six different CEFR levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2). In Hungary the telc certificate in German language is accredited.
Italian
telc offers Italian language CEFR language exams at four levels (A1, A2, B1, and B2).
Portuguese
In Portuguese telc - language tests offers language exam at B1 level.
Russian
In Russian telc - language tests can be taken at four different levels (A1, A2, B1 and B2).
Spanish
telc - language tests offers Spanish language exam at four CEFR levels (A1, A2, B1 and B2). At A2 level candidates can choose from TELC Español A2 (for learners after completing an average of 250 – 300 teaching units) or telc Español A2 Escuela which is designed for school pupils aged about 12 to 16 (in classes 7 to 10). At B1 level there are two options i.e. telc Español B1 (for learners with basic skills who can already communicate fairly well in everyday situations) or telc Español B1 Escuela which is designed for school pupils aged about 14 to 17 (in classes 9 to 11). At B2 level candidates can take telc Español B2 (for advanced learners who can clearly and explicitly express themselves) or Ttelc Español B2 Escuela which is designed for advanced school pupils aged about 17 to 19 (in classes 12 to 13).
Turkish
In Turkish language telc - language tests offers exams at five different levels (A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1). In addition, at A2 CEFR level candidates can choose from telc Türkçe A2 which is designed for learners after completing an average of 250 – 300 teaching units or telc Türkçe A2 Okul which is designed for school pupils who can communicate simply in everyday situations. At B1 level candidates can choose from telcTürkçe B1 (for learners with basic skills who can already communicate fairly well in everyday situations) or from telc Türkçe B1 Okul which is designed for school pupils aged about 12 to 15 (classes 7 to 10). At B2 level there are two options i.e. telc Türkçe B2 (for advanced learners who can clearly and explicitly express themselves) or telc Türkçe B2 Okul which is designed for more advanced school pupils aged about 15 to 19 (in classes 10 to 13).
Location and test dates
telc - language tests are taken every year in 17 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey).
Austria
In Austria telc - language tests can be taken in Eisenstadt, Götzis, Innsbruck, Korneuburg, Krems, Neumarkt am Wallersee, Oberwart, Linz, Salzburg, Stockerau, Vienna, and Wiener Neustadt.[2]
China
telc - language tests can be taken in Beijing, China.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic telc - language tests can be taken in Plzeň and Prague.
Hungary
In Hungary telc - language tests can be taken at more than 100 locations across the whole country. There are eight dates for the examinations.[3]
Italy
In Italy telc - language tests can be taken in Bolzano, Milan, and Rome.
Poland
In Poland telc - language tests can be taken in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Jelenia Góra, Katowice, Kielce, Kraków, Lublin, Olkusz, Rzeszów, Tarnów, Warsaw, Wrocław, and Zamość at more than 100 locations across the whole country.[4]
South Korea
In South Korea telc - language tests can be taken in Seoul.
Turkey
In Turkey telc - language tests can be taken in Adana, Aksaray, Bursa, Düzce, Erzincan, Gazientep, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Kayseri, Konya, Mersin,Samsun Province and Trabzon.
See also
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- Language assessment
- List of language proficiency tests
References
- ↑ "Who we are". telc.net. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ↑ "TELC Examination Centres". telc.hu. 23 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "TELC vizsgaidőpontok". telc.hu. 23 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "CENTRA I OŚRODKI". telc.net.pl. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
External links
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