A language certificate or language diploma certifies the level of competence of a language learner. It is issued by an authorised institution after successful completion of a language assessment. Among other things, a language certificate serves as a qualification for certain professions or courses of study.
Foreign language certificates and their significance
Those who master a foreign language usually have to prove this in the form of a language certificate or language diploma. There are certificates for almost all languages issued by different institutions. In order to be able to compare the results achieved in language examinations within Europe, the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages was established, which classifies language levels into six different levels of competence: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
These are the best-known language certificates
It is not always easy to find your way through the jungle of language diplomas. The type of language certificate depends, among other things, on the language, country and purpose of the certificate.
DAAD Language Certificate
The DAAD Language Certificate is issued for competencies in English and many other foreign languages. Originally, the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) developed its language certificate for DAAD scholarship applicants. However, the language certificate is now also accepted by many foreign universities.
Cambridge Language Certificate
The Cambridge Certificate means applicants from international educational institutions can prove their English language skills. Once obtained, the Cambridge Certificate is valid for life. As the name suggests, the diploma was created by the University of Cambridge.
Goethe Certificate
The Goethe-Institut awards various certificates to young people and adults learning German as a foreign language. The Goethe certificates are based on the respective levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Telc Language Certificate
The non-profit Telc GmbH certifies linguistic competences in nine languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish, Portuguese, Russian and Czech. The language examinations can now be taken in 20 countries.
DELE Language Certificate
The DELE Diploma (Diploma de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera) is an official certificate of Spanish language proficiency. It is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education and is valid indefinitely.
DELF Language Certificate
The internationally recognised DELF language diploma (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française) certifies the French language skills of mainly school pupils. The advanced equivalent is the DALF Diploma (Diplôme approfondi de langue francaise). Both certificates are valid for life.
TOEFL Language Certificate
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an internationally recognised language certificate for academic English proficiency. For some English-language degree programmes in Germany, the TOEFL test is an admission requirement. It is valid for two years.
IELTS Language Certificate
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) diploma is an internationally recognised means of determining English language proficiency. It is issued in cooperation with the British Council and is usually valid for two years.
EF Language Certificate
The international education programme provider EF (Education First) offers the standardised and free English language test EFSET, the results of which largely correspond to those of the IELTS and TOEFL exams.
How to obtain a language certificate
For most language certificates, there are competent examination centres in Germany and also worldwide where the language examinations can be taken. These include universities, adult education centres and consulates. Many participants take language courses to prepare for the exam. Exercise materials can also be worked through individually. There are also many free exercises on the internet to improve your language skills.
The costs for a language diploma
The costs for language examinations vary greatly. While the EF certificate is free of charge, the fees for other language tests are often between £45 and £180.
Load more
FAQ: More questions about language certificates
Which language certificates are there?
There are countless certificates that attest to skills in foreign languages. Among the best known are the DAAD, Cambridge, TOEFL and DELF certificates.
Where can I get a language certificate?
To obtain such a certificate, one must first prove that one has the appropriate language skills. The language certificate is not for sale.
Which language certificates are recognised in Germany?
In Germany, the Goethe Certificate is recognised at all CEFR levels, as is the telc diploma.
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site.
