There are different levels of language certifications for Italian speakers. One can choose between beginner (A1), advanced beginner (A2), lower-intermediate (B1), intermediate (B2), advanced (C1), or mastery level (C2).
The most well-known certifications for Italian are the CILS (issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena), the CELI(issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugia), and the PLIDA (issued by the Dante Alighieri Society).
In this post, I’ll delve into the structure of the CILS A1 exam and share some tips and tricks to help you succeed.
Why Take the A1 Exam?
Not sure if taking a beginner Italian certification is right for you? Let me explain why you should consider it.
Language certifications for beginners are an excellent way for adult learners to set concrete goals in their Italian study journey. As an adult, you probably know that learning happens differently compared to your school days, especially if you’ve studied or dabbled in a foreign language independently. Outside of traditional classroom settings, it can sometimes be challenging to evaluate your own progress. Taking a beginner-level certification in Italian provides a straightforward way to determine where you stand in your language journey and adds structure to your learning process.
Preparing for a language exam involves mastering all four major language competencies: reading, listening, writing, and speaking in Italian. These skills are often overlooked in conventional language learning settings, where speaking tends to take center stage.
Taking an Italian language certification as a beginner isn’t for everyone, but it can be a fantastic way to boost motivation, set tangible goals, and thoroughly engage with the language.
What is the CILS A1 Exam?
The CILS A1 is a language certification designed to assess your basic competency in beginner-level Italian.
You can obtain the CILS A1 certification by passing the exam in Italy or abroad at various institutions, including universities or centers recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education.
What Does “A1” Mean?
The CILS A1 represents the first level of the CILS certification. The term “A1” refers to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and indicates that the candidate has basic proficiency in Italian. At this level, you are expected to use simple vocabulary and grammar to handle everyday situations, introduce yourself, talk about your family, friends, and hobbies, and ask simple personal questions.
At an A1 level, you can interact in a basic manner, provided the person you’re speaking with talks clearly and slowly.
How to Prepare for the CILS A1 Exam
To reach an A1 level of Italian, you should focus on learning and mastering the fundamentals of Italian grammar and vocabulary required at this level. This can be achieved by enrolling in language classes or hiring a private tutor. In either case, it’s essential to follow a structured plan that covers the grammar and vocabulary fundamentals specific to the A1 Italian level.
Additionally, you should ensure that you train all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Mastering all of these aspects is crucial for passing the exam. To clarify, using an app that teaches a few conversational topics and the most common Italian verbs won’t be sufficient on its own.
I recommend using the following tools and textbooks for those working toward the A1 level, as well as for complete beginners or those just starting out.
The New Italian Espresso series for beginners and pre-intermediate learners (Student Book + Workbook) is a gold mine for those looking for a learning itinerary combining grammar, listening, reading and vocabulary all in one. This one of the best methods available for English native speakers too. It works best when used in conjunction with a teacher, but will be useful for independent learners as well.
Rocket Language Italian: great self-paced learning method, good for total beginners. Find my review of the course here.
Italian sentences builder is a great drill book for those who are just starting out Italian.
Use Easy readers for beginners to improve your vocabulary, listening and sentence building ability (not for total beginners)
Use Preply to find an Italian tutor who can hold you accountable, provide feedback, and monitor your A1 progress.
Use a solid grammar book to build a nice framework to your Italian fluency. Basic Italian Grammar is a great one.
Test Your Italian
Not sure what your Italian level is? I’ve created a free online Italian test to help you determine it.How Long Does It Take to Learn Italian to an A1 Level?
Because time is relative, the quality of the time you dedicate to learning a language, rather than the quantity, will determine your success as a student. If Italian is your first foreign language and your native language is not a Romance language (e.g., Spanish or French), I estimate it will take you between 5 and 7 months to achieve an A1 level in Italian.
A1 Grammar Italian Topics:
| The verb “to be” and “to have” |
| Definite and indefinite articles |
| Conjugation of present tense (regular) |
| Conjugation of present tense (irregular) |
| Modal verbs |
| Simple and articulated prepositions |
| Passato prossimo |
| Impersonal forms |
| Direct object pronouns |
A1 Vocabulary Italian Topics:
| Introducing yourself |
| Talk about free time |
| Describe your city or home |
| Talking about family or friends |
How is the Cils A1 structured?
The exam is split into 5 sections and will last around 2 hours.
| Section | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Test di Ascolto | Listening Comprehension. Divided into two parts: listening to two short texts – Multiple choice exercises – Audio tracks repeated twice. | 30 minutes |
| Test di Comprensione della Lettura | Reading Comprehension. Divided into three parts – Requires reading basic text messages – Multiple choice questions or matching exercises. | 30 minutes |
| Test di Analisi delle Strutture di Comunicazione | Grammar and Vocabulary. It consists of three fill-in-the-blank texts – Assess basic grammar and vocabulary capability – Supply correct article or verb | 30 minutes |
| Test di Scrittura | Writing Production. It consists of two short writing prompts – Texts should not exceed 40 words each | 30 minutes |
| Produzione Orale | Speaking Part. Divided into two parts. Administered individually – Examiner may assist a candidate having trouble speaking – Overall duration around 3/4 minutes. First part: Face-to-face conversation on a specific situation Second part: Examiner asks the candidate to choose one of the topics and speak on their own – Examples of potential topics: – What you do on national holidays – Your job – Your favorite sport – Your family – Describe an image | 3/4 minutes |
How to find Cils A1 exam Samples
It’s critical that you set aside time and resources to familiarize yourself with the exam structure before taking it. This is a copy of a previous CILS A1, which can be found on the CILS website. If you want to get more practice, I recommend getting the Quaderni, which is a collection of mock tests from previous years’ A1-A1 CILS exams.
CILS A1 Integrazione (CILS A1 for Integration)
The CILS A1 Integrazione is a nationally recognized Italian language test that certifies foreigners living in Italy have achieved an A1 level of proficiency in the language. This exam is exclusively available to individuals already residing in Italy.
The structure of the CILS A1 Integrazione is very similar to the standard CILS A1 exam, but the assignments are tailored to students living in Italy. The vocabulary and scenarios focus on situations that candidates may have already encountered or are likely to encounter during their stay in Italy. Examples include handling groceries, obtaining a driver’s license, enrolling in Italian lessons, or asking for information.
Exam samples for the Cils A1 integrazione can be found on this page.
Dates and Exam Centers
The Cils exams are offered at accredited language institutions in Italy and abroad.
Visit this link to find a location near you and learn when the exam for your level will be held.
