Exam preparation courses
Do you want or need to certify your level of Italian with one of the official certifications in Italy?
Our school offers preparation courses for the 3 certifications of Italian for foreigners.
Do you want or need to certify your level of Italian with one of the official certifications in Italy?
Our school offers preparation courses for the 3 certifications of Italian for foreigners:
What is an Italian Language Certification?
An Italian Language Certification is an official document, recognized by the Italian state and also abroad, attesting to the level of knowledge of Italian. The difference with a Certificate of Participation in a course, the certification is a legally recognized official document.
What can I use a Certificate of Italian as a Foreign/Second Language for?
In addition to certifying your level of proficiency in Italian, a certification can serve several other purposes:
- when enrolling at a university in Italy a minimum B1/B2 level of proficiency is normally required, depending on the university and faculty
- for teaching in primary and secondary schools in Italy a C2 level of proficiency is normally required
- when applying for a residence permit (A2 level)
- to be included in the European Language Portfolio, the European document that accompanies you in the study of a foreign language and in your learning journey
- to be included on your Curriculum Vitae, both for educational and professional purposes
- to have a document that is legally recognized internationally and easily comparable with certifications of other foreign languages through the ALTE Framework
How is the preparation course for the Certification of Italian as a Foreign/Second Language structured?
Our Italian as a Foreign/Second Language Certification preparation course has the same structure and price as our combo course.
EXAM PREPARATION COURSE
3 hours in a group + 1 private lesson per day, Monday to Friday
The group course is divided into 3 sessions
- ‘Communicative activities’ session, from 09:00 to 10:30
- “Language analysis” session, from 11:00 to 12:30
- 1-hour exam preparation private lesson per day. Private lessons are either held from 08:00 to 08:55 or from 13:00 to 13:55 or from 14:00 to 14:55, depending on the organizational requirements of the school.
In the afternoons, you can still participate in the weekly program of social and cultural activities organized by the school or devote the afternoon to whatever you like to do most!
All language levels are available, from A0 (absolute beginner) to C2 (advanced).
All our classes are multi-age and multi-cultural.
Prices
From week 9 onwards, each extra week costs € 350
When you register for the course, you must indicate that you want to devote your private lesson to certification preparation and let us know which certification you want to prepare for (CILS, CELI or PLIDA) and what level.
DATES
Group courses start every Monday morning for all levels except for absolute beginners (A0 level).
In 2026, the course start dates for beginners are:
-
January 5 + January 19
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February 2 + February 16
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March 2 + March 16 + March 30
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March 30 + April 13 + April 27
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May 4 + May 18
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June 8 + June 22
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July 6 + July 20
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August 3 + August 24
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September 7 + September 21
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October 5 + October 19
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November 3 + November 16 + November 30
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November 30 + December 7
| 1 week | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| € 465 | € 930 | € 1395 | € 1860 | 5 week | 6 weeks | 7 weeks | 8 weeks |
| € 2290 | € 2720 | € 3150 | € 3580 |
What are the certification exam dates?
Each certification has specific exam dates. Here you will find the:
What do the various levels of competency certify?
These are the competencies certified according to the CEFR- Common Europen Framework for Languages
Writing
| LEVEL A1 |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Oral Comprehension I recognize basic words and expressions that are used regularly related to myself, my family, and my immediate surroundings when I speak slowly and clearly. |
| Reading Comprehension I can understand familiar words and names and very simple sentences, such as those on signs, posters, and catalogs. |
| Oral |
| Oral Interaction I can participate in a conversation in a simple way as long as the other person is willing to repeat what they said or say it in other words and at a slower speed and help me formulate what I am trying to say. I ask and answer simple questions on topics of immediate need or very common issues. |
| Oral Expression I use simple expressions and phrases to describe where I live and the people I know. |
| Writing |
| Written Expression I can write short and simple postcards, e.g., to send congratulations. I can fill out forms with personal information, e.g., my name, nationality, and address on a hotel registration form. |
Writing
| LEVEL A2 |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Oral Comprehension I understand sentences and the most common vocabulary on topics of personal interest (basic personal and family information, shopping, place of residence, work). I can get the main idea from short, clear and simple messages and notices. |
| Reading Comprehension I can read very short and simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple, everyday writing such as advertisements, brochures, menus, and schedules, and I can understand short, simple personal letters. |
| Oral |
| Oral Interaction I can communicate in simple and common activities that require a simple and direct exchange of information about everyday activities and affairs. I am capable of very brief social exchanges, although I usually cannot understand enough to keep the conversation going. |
| Oral Expression I use a variety of expressions and phrases to describe in simple terms my family and other people, my living conditions, my education, and my current or last job. |
| Writing |
| Written Expression I can write short and simple notes/messages regarding my immediate needs. I can write very simple personal letters, such as thanking someone for something. |
Writing
| LEVEL B1 |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Oral Comprehension I understand the main ideas when the speech is clear and normal and everyday issues taking place at work, school, leisure, etc. are discussed. I understand the main idea of many radio or television programs dealing with current issues or matters of personal or professional interest when the articulation is relatively slow and clear. |
| Reading Comprehension I can understand written texts in everyday or work-related language. I understand descriptions of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters. |
| Oral |
| Oral Interaction I know how to handle almost any situation that arises when I travel where that language is spoken. I can spontaneously participate in a conversation that deals with everyday topics of personal interest or that are relevant to daily life (e.g., family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events). |
| Oral Expression I can connect sentences in a simple way to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly explain and justify my opinions and plans. I can tell a story, the plot of a book or movie, and I can describe my reactions. |
| Writing |
| Written Expression I can write simple, well-connected texts on topics that are familiar or of interest to me. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions. |
Writing
| LEVEL B2 |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Oral Comprehension I am able to follow long speeches and lectures and even follow complex plots as long as the topic is relatively well known. I understand almost all television news and current affairs programs. I understand most movies using a standard language level. |
| Reading Comprehension I can read articles and reports on contemporary issues in which authors take specific positions or points of view. I understand contemporary literary prose. |
| Oral |
| Oral Interaction I can participate in conversation with a certain fluency and spontaneity, which makes normal communication with native speakers possible. I can actively participate in discussions in everyday situations, even explaining my points of view. |
| Oral Expression I present clear and detailed descriptions of a wide range of topics related to my specialties. I can address a topic by identifying its advantages and disadvantages. |
| Writing |
| Written Expression I can write clear and detailed texts on a wide range of topics related to my interests. I can write essays (argumentative texts) or reports conveying information or proposing reasons that support or refute a specific point of view. I can write letters highlighting the importance of specific events and experiences. |
Writing
| LEVEL C1 |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Oral Comprehension I understand long speeches even when they are not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not explicitly stated. I can easily understand TV programs and movies. |
| Reading Comprehension I can understand long, complex texts of a literary or fact-based nature, appreciating distinctions of style. I understand specialized articles and lengthy technical instructions, even if they do not relate to my specialty. |
| Oral |
| Oral Interaction I express myself fluently and spontaneously without obviously searching for the right expressions. I use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I formulate ideas and opinions accurately and skillfully link my speeches to those of other speakers. |
| Oral Expression I present clear and detailed descriptions of complex arguments that include other topics. I am able to develop concrete ideas and arrive at an appropriate conclusion. |
| Writing |
| Written Expression I can express myself in clear, well-structured texts, stating points of view with some breadth. I can write letters, essays or reports on complex topics, highlighting everything important. Before proceeding with the writing, I am able to select the most suitable style, depending on the target audience. I could also apply for a job. |
Writing
| LEVEL C2 |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Oral Comprehension I have no difficulty understanding any kind of conversation, whether in live ones or broadcast speeches, even at the speed of a native speaker, as long as I have time to familiarize myself with the accent. |
| Reading Comprehension I can easily read almost all forms of written language, including structurally or linguistically complex abstract texts such as manuals, specialized articles and literary works. |
| Oral |
| Oral Interaction I participate effortlessly in any conversation or debate and am familiar with idioms, fixed phrases, colloquial and formal expressions. I express myself fluently and convey subtle nuances of meaning accurately. If I have a problem, I deal with the difficulty so discreetly that others barely notice. |
| Oral Expression I present descriptions or topics clearly and fluently and in a style appropriate to the context and with a logical and effective structure that helps the listener notice and remember important ideas. |
| Writing |
| Written Expression I can write very clear texts using appropriate style and good grammatical/lexical command. I can write complex letters, reports, or articles that present arguments with a logical and effective structure that helps the listener notice and remember important ideas. I write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, there is no exact answer but the honest answer is that the more you are immersed in an intensive Italian course, the more fluent you will become in Italian. A longer Italian language course is always a good choice for those who want to achieve satisfactory results. However, not everyone has time available, so the truth is that even a one-week intensive course in Italy is still beneficial, although we recommend immersing yourself in the language for at least two or three weeks to really see the benefits.
In general, after two or three weeks of full exposure to the language our students automatically start thinking in Italian and sometimes even dream in Italian. If you have the privilege of more time, a six-month or even a year-long Italian course in Italy would be ideal to become fluent in Italian and no longer find yourself struggling to read a book, newspaper or magazine article, or even watch a film.
‘Rome was not built in a day’ and similarly ‘Italian cannot be learned in a week’!
Above all, in order to answer this crucial question, we have to remember that each one of us has our own time, way and style of learning when it comes to studying a foreign language. Just like with music or sport, learning a foreign language also partly depends on your natural talent.
If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact us. We will welcome you with a quick response and a big smile!
When choosing an intensive Italian language course, make sure that the language school you enroll at has full accreditation.
When a school is accredited by national or international third-party bodies or is a member of a national or international association, it has successfully passed a series of inspections. These inspections check the quality of the school’s staff, organization, teaching methods, teachers and compliance with laws, all essential elements for ensuring quality for students. Bearing that in mind however, not all certifications mean that an independent third party has inspected the school. Some of these certifications are rather self-referential and only provide a ‘label’ for membership of the organization/association, without any actual school inspection. Your time and money are precious, so make sure that you are paying for a high-quality service. Certifications and accreditations serve to guarantee you of a transparent and professional service that meets all legal and professional requirements.
The school is closed on:
- Easter Monday
- Liberation Day (25/04)
- Labor Day (01/05)
- Republic Day(02/06)
- August bank holiday (15/08)
- All Saints’ Day (01/11)
- Immaculate Conception Day (8/12)
A discount will be made to make up for Public Holidays directly on the invoice on the following basis:
- INTENSIVE course – € 30
- COMBO course – € 70
- SUPER INTENSIVE course – € 65