Institut Ramon LLull

Catalan Language Certificates

31/05/2019

The Institut Ramon Llull organizes the exams to assess and certify knowledge of Catalan as a Foreign Language (CFL) outside of Catalan-speaking areas




Every year many people seek, through internationally recognized certificates, to accredit the level they have achieved in Catalan as a foreign language. These people are studying Catalan for academic or cultural reasons, while preparing to travel, work or continue their studies in areas where Catalan is spoken, or perhaps simply as a way of strengthening their personal ties with these territories.

The Institute is the body responsible for assessing and certificating students’ knowledge of Catalan outside the Catalan-speaking area. It organizes and administers Catalan language tests that make it possible to accredit students’ level of learning and it regulates and issues certificates.

Recognition of the certificates The Institut Ramon Llull Certificates permit students to accredit their level of knowledge of the Catalan language and are recognized by both academic institutions and businesses (public administration, companies, institutions).

Certificates awarded by the Institut Ramon Llull

The Catalan language certificates awarded by the Institut Ramon Llull correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The exam system is organized on a scale of five levels, in line with that established by the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) as used for the majority of European languages.

The exams leading to the awarding of certificates cover all four communicative skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing) and include a series of tasks that evaluate the candidate’s proficiency in the use of Catalan.

Arrangements for the exams

The exams organised by the Institut Ramon Llull are convoked by means of a resolution issued by the Director of the Institut that is published in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (the Official Gazette of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia) and in the Butlletí Oficial de les Illes Balears (the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands).

The announcements of the exams include details of the dates of the tests, the registration system, the exam fees and the system of publishing the results.

To sit the exams no prior academic qualifications are necessary.

Recognition of the certificates

The certificates are fully equivalent to, and are recognized as being equally as valid as, those issued by the Secretaria de Política Lingüística of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Certificat de nivell bàsic de llengua catalana (A 2)

This certificate accredits that the candidate has sufficient knowledge of the language to enable him/her to meet the most basic communication needs in everyday situations.

Certificat de nivell elemental de llengua catalana (B 1)

This certificate accredits that the candidate has sufficient knowledge of the language to enable him/her to communicate satisfactorily, and autonomously, in most social situations to be found in everyday life.

Certificat de nivell intermedi de llengua catalana (B 2)

This certificate accredits that the candidate has sufficient knowledge of the language to enable him/her to communicate with flexibility and correctly in those everyday communicative situations that are informal or neutral and that do not require a specialist use of the language.

Certificat de nivell de suficiència de llengua catalana (C 1)

This certificate accredits that the candidate has sufficient knowledge of the language to enable him/her to communicate confidently, adequately and correctly in communicative situations that require the use of formal or semi-formal language.

Certificat de nivell superior de llengua catalana (C 2)

This certificate accredits that the candidate has sufficient knowledge of the language to enable him/her to communicate adequately, and correctly, in any communicative situation, particularly in those requiring a more formal use of the language. Candidates are also required to demonstrate their capacity to analyze matters and concepts related to the workings of the Catalan language system.

Apply by April 24th

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