Deutsches Sprachdiplom
German is spoken by residents of Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and the northern cantons of Switzerland – about 100 million Europeans in total. Since modern Germany is called the economic locomotive of Europe, in industrial circles it is impossible to do without knowledge of business and technical German.
However, the majority of examinees are students who want to obtain higher education in Germany (after all, for foreigners, education in German state universities is still free). They are required to have a positive result on the DSH exam (Deutsche Sprachprufung fur dea Hochschulzugang). True, it can only be taken in Germany – either at a language school or directly at the university as an entrance exam. But now there is a test that is compiled and checked by the TestDaF institute (Hagen, Germany). These exams are held twice a year in licensed centers around the world. In Russia, they are administered at branches of the Goethe Institute.
Just like in the English TOEFL, the TestDaF does not use the terms "passed" or "failed" – you get a certain number of points. However, the certificate is issued only upon reaching the third, fourth or fifth (highest) level (TDN 3, TDN 4, TDN 5).
The exam lasts about five hours and includes four parts (reading, listening, writing, speaking), for each of which the candidate receives a score on a five-point scale. Reading and listening (60 and 40 minutes respectively) consist of three texts of varying difficulty. Writing takes 60 minutes. It is necessary to write a text on a given topic, relying on a graph, diagram or table, which should be described and commented on. Then the examinee chooses one of the given theses reflecting various aspects of a particular problem and presents their point of view, reasoning and arguing.
The speaking test lasts 35 minutes and includes ten tasks (three levels of difficulty). A feature, unlike many other language exams, is the absence of a live dialogue with the teacher. After listening to the task, the examinee gets 15-45 seconds to think about the situation and their response. The exam simulates various situations that a student may encounter during their studies in Germany – a conversation with a professor, leaving information on an answering machine, calling the library, etc. The examinee's answers are recorded on a cassette. For example, you have to ask an imaginary friend to find you housing – in one minute you need to explain where you want to live and what your requirements are. Due to the lack of feedback, knowledgeable people advise carefully preparing for this part of the exam.
Written works and recordings of oral tasks are sent to Hagen. The certificate will be sent by mail within six to eight weeks, and it will be valid for two years. Already the fourth level (TDN 4) opens the doors to German universities and allows you to study at any faculty. Nevertheless, some universities have special requirements, approaching each applicant individually. For example, if the university or the chosen faculty predominantly uses a lecture format, then it is quite likely that three points for the written part of the exam will be acceptable, but the requirements for listening will be more stringent.
Along with TestDaF, there are several other exams that give the right to study at German universities. For example, ZOP, which requires more serious language training. Knowledge of proverbs and idiomatic expressions will be needed, and you will also have to defend a thesis (home preparation). To pass the exam, you need to answer at least 60% of the questions correctly. The exam lasts two days: the first day – listening and writing, the second – reading and speaking. The certificate is issued immediately after passing the oral part.
Specifically for businessmen, there is an exam "Economic German". However, even if you are a pro in economics and speak German well, you should prepare for it. Specialists at the Goethe Institute recommend first taking a course in Economic German or preparatory courses. The exam is held twice a year, also in two stages. A specialist from the German Chamber of Commerce is invited to the oral part. Results are known immediately. It is worth considering that the exam does not automatically give the right to work in Germany, but only confirms the level of language proficiency, and the certificate of passing it adds to your advantages when looking for a job.
Parler vous Francais?
French has the status of an official language in 33 countries. It is spoken by about 55 million Europeans and about 6 million residents of Canadian Quebec.
The highest level of French language proficiency sufficient for university admission is confirmed by the DALF 1 and DALF 2 diplomas (Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francais). The exam takes 3.5-4 hours, not counting break time, and consists of four standard parts (reading, listening, writing, speaking). During the writing and speaking tests, the candidate is given tasks from two fields of knowledge to choose from: philology and humanities or exact sciences. In this case, it is necessary to compose a text of about 1,000 words based on several documents, write a summary, make an oral presentation on the topic addressed in the provided materials, and then discuss this topic with the jury.
"Do not rely too much on the common opinion that French is much simpler than German or English," says journalist Helene Dietrich. "You can think so until you try to take the written exam. French grammar is full of all sorts of pitfalls. For example, diacritical marks – accent aigu, grave, circumflex. They don't cause much concern when reading, but when doing written tasks... It's good if the teachers are lenient and understand everything. By the way, French exams, unlike British ones, take place in a very pleasant, relaxed, courteous atmosphere, but this ease should not deceive – in reality, everything is very serious and quite difficult."
Although the diploma is valid for life and DALF 1 is sufficient for university admission, sometimes applicants face other difficulties. A university may refuse a foreign student not because of language knowledge: the weak point of most French universities is the lack of dormitory places, sometimes to the point that an applicant has to assure the admissions committee that he has accommodation in the country.
Foreigners working in French companies or in constant contact with them would do well to have a document confirming their ability to perform their duties in a Francophone environment. For this purpose, there are exams and language certificates from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) for professional and business French (three levels). The Paris CCI also conducts a number of specialized exams for lawyers, tourism industry representatives, engineering and natural sciences, administrators and secretaries.
Another development of the Paris CCI is the TEF exam (Test d'évaluation de français), a universal test to assess French language proficiency for foreign students and employees, officially recognized by the French Ministry of National Education. TEF has seven levels (from zero to six), and it can be taken at the French Cultural Center.
Italiano vero
Italian is spoken by over 70 million Italians and residents of other countries (for example, in Switzerland, Italian is recognized as an official language). Moreover, it is one of the working languages of the UN. Art historians, historians, architects, vocalists simply cannot do without knowledge of this language. And a document certifying a sufficient level of proficiency will not hurt.
There are various certification exams, but the most common is CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera). It is developed by the University of Siena, has official status and is approved by the Italian government. CILS certificates of any of the four levels (Uno, Due, Tre, Quattro) are a good plus when looking for a job. However, some experts argue that to get a place in an Italian company, it is enough to simply complete courses and know the language well. And for admission to the chosen university without a preliminary language test, a second-level certificate may suffice.
The exam consists of five parts: listening, reading and comprehension, writing (testing writing skills and vocabulary knowledge), grammar test, interview. The higher the level, the more complex the texts and questions. If at the initial level the writing is based on a picture and requires 70–100 words, then for CILS 4 they offer to write an essay on a topical issue of at least 300 words.
Italian universities accept language exams every month. The exam papers are sent to the European Consortium for the Certification of Modern Languages (ECL), where diplomas are also awarded. The procedure is cumbersome, and certificates have to wait several months.
Espanol como Lengua Extranjera
Spanish is spoken by about 500 million people, it is widespread not only in the Iberian Peninsula but also in South and Central America, and is also the second official language of the United States.
For those who study Spanish as a foreign language, the Instituto Cervantes, which has branches in many countries, administers the D.E.L.E. exam (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera), accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. The exam is divided into three levels of difficulty and consists of five parts: reading, writing on a given topic, listening, a grammar and vocabulary test, and an individual interview with members of the examination board. Those who successfully pass the four-hour test will have to wait several weeks for the diploma to be approved by the Spanish Ministry of Education and sent by mail. The Diploma Superior de Español (D.E.L.E. 3) allows you to get a job in a Spanish or American company, work as a guide, translator, or enter a higher education institution. The first two levels are sufficient for immigration or unskilled work.
However, according to methodologist of the Spanish school Simón Valdivia, Spanish is mainly studied for leisure, entertainment and communication. "Mostly, people come to us who have already been to Spain and are fascinated by its culture, joyful atmosphere and national friendliness. These are people who would like to eventually live in Spain. Thus, the immigration factor is one of the main ones, and Spain, like no other European country, welcomes this. From a linguistic point of view, Russian speakers learn Spanish much faster than German or French. And there are practically no problems with phonetics."