The CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) A1 exam is an internationally recognized certification that signifies a basic level of proficiency in Italian. This guide will help you understand the CILS A1 exam format, the skills it tests, and the competencies required to succeed at this level. For official information and resources, visit the CILS official website.

Understanding the CILS A1 Exam

Overview of CILS A1

The CILS A1 exam is designed for beginners who have a basic understanding of Italian and can communicate in simple, everyday situations. The A1 level corresponds to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and indicates an elementary proficiency in Italian. This level demonstrates the ability to:

  • Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at satisfying needs of a concrete type.
  • Introduce yourself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know, and things you have.
  • Interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

What an A1 Learner Can Do in Italian

An A1 learner has developed a foundational understanding of the Italian language, allowing them to communicate effectively in very basic situations. Here are some specific abilities of an A1 level learner:

  • Basic Social Interaction: A1 learners can engage in simple conversations, introduce themselves, and ask and answer basic questions about personal details. For example, they can say where they live, describe their family, and talk about their likes and dislikes.
  • Daily Life Activities: A1 learners can handle simple transactions and interactions, such as shopping, ordering food, and asking for directions. They can understand and use basic phrases to navigate everyday situations like buying groceries or finding their way around a new city.
  • Understanding Simple Texts: A1 learners can read and understand short, simple texts such as signs, menus, and basic instructions. They can follow simple written directions and recognize familiar names, words, and very basic phrases.
  • Writing Basic Sentences: A1 learners can write simple sentences and fill out forms with personal information. They can compose short notes, postcards, or messages, and fill in personal details on forms, such as name, address, and nationality.

CILS A1 Exam Structure

The CILS A1 exam is composed of four sections, each designed to assess different language skills:

Reading Comprehension in CILS A1

  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Tasks: Typically includes several short texts such as advertisements, instructions, and descriptions.
  • Question Types: Multiple-choice questions, true/false statements, and matching exercises.
  • Skills Tested: Ability to understand basic written Italian, recognize familiar words and phrases, and grasp the main idea of simple texts.

Listening Comprehension in CILS A1

  • Duration: 20 minutes
  • Tasks: Generally includes several short audio recordings related to everyday contexts.
  • Question Types: Multiple-choice questions, true/false statements, and matching exercises.
  • Skills Tested: Ability to understand the gist and specific information in short, simple listening passages related to everyday situations, such as conversations, announcements, and instructions.

Written Expression and Interaction in CILS A1

  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Tasks: Usually includes two tasks:
    • Task 1: Writing a short text, such as a postcard, note, or email.
    • Task 2: Filling in forms with personal details.
  • Skills Tested: Ability to write simple, coherent texts on familiar topics and fill in personal information accurately.

Oral Expression and Interaction in CILS A1

  • Duration: 10 minutes (including preparation time)
  • Tasks: Typically includes two parts:
    • Part 1: Answering personal questions.
    • Part 2: Describing a picture or series of pictures and engaging in a brief conversation about them.
  • Skills Tested: Ability to communicate effectively in spoken Italian, ask and answer basic questions, and describe simple information.

Required Skills and Competencies for CILS A1

To succeed in the CILS A1 exam, you need to develop a range of basic language skills and competencies across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Here’s a detailed look at what’s required:

Reading Skills for CILS A1

  • Basic Comprehension: Ability to understand short, simple texts related to everyday activities.
  • Recognizing Key Information: Skill in identifying familiar words, phrases, and main ideas in written texts.
  • Context Clues: Ability to infer the meaning of unknown words from the context of the text.

Writing Skills for CILS A1

  • Simple Texts: Competence in writing basic sentences and short texts on familiar topics.
  • Filling Forms: Ability to accurately fill out forms with personal information.
  • Basic Grammar and Vocabulary: Use of basic grammar structures and vocabulary to express ideas clearly.

Listening Skills for CILS A1

  • Main Idea Comprehension: Ability to understand the main points of short, clear spoken Italian in everyday contexts.
  • Detail Recognition: Skill in picking out specific information from short audio recordings.
  • Familiar Contexts: Ability to follow conversations and instructions related to familiar, everyday activities.

Speaking Skills for CILS A1

  • Basic Communication: Ability to engage in simple conversations, ask and answer basic questions, and introduce yourself.
  • Pronunciation and Intonation: Clear pronunciation and appropriate intonation to ensure understanding.
  • Describing and Interacting: Skill in describing pictures, asking for and giving information, and participating in basic interactions.

Core Differences Between A1 and Higher Levels

Understanding the progression from A1 to higher levels is crucial for recognizing the increased complexity and depth of language skills required at more advanced stages. Here are the key differences:

Language Proficiency

  • A1 Level: At the A1 level, learners can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
  • A2 and Higher Levels: A2 learners can handle simple, routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics, while B1 and higher levels involve more complex interactions, detailed descriptions, and a greater range of vocabulary.

Communication Skills

  • A1 Level: A1 learners can introduce themselves, ask and answer basic questions about personal details, and interact in a simple way.
  • A2 and Higher Levels: A2 learners can describe their background, immediate environment, and matters related to basic needs, while B1 and higher levels can engage in more complex interactions, express opinions, and discuss experiences in detail.

Text Complexity

  • A1 Level: Reading and listening tasks involve very simple texts and dialogues with basic vocabulary and structures.
  • A2 and Higher Levels: Texts and dialogues are more complex, covering a broader range of topics and requiring a deeper understanding of the language.

Writing and Speaking

  • A1 Level: A1 learners can write simple sentences and phrases. Speaking tasks involve basic descriptions and straightforward conversations.
  • A2 and Higher Levels: A2 learners can produce short texts and engage in simple conversations, while B1 and higher levels can write coherent texts on familiar topics and participate in more extended conversations.

By understanding the CILS A1 exam structure and focusing on developing the necessary skills, you can effectively prepare for the CILS A1 and achieve a significant milestone in your Italian language learning journey. For more information, visit the CILS official website.