Language diploma

A language diploma or language certificate is a certificate of successful completion of a language proficiency test. Language diplomas certify either a certain level of competence or the competencies actually available at the time. Proof of language skills may be required. a. needed for the job market, as they greatly increase the professional chances of getting a job. Interested parties often take part in further training in the form of a course to prepare for a language proficiency test.

Ancient languages

Language certificates for the so-called ancient languages are the Hebraicum , the Graecum and the Latinum , which are evidenced either by a corresponding entry in the Abitur certificate , by a certificate of an Abitur supplementary examination or by a university, sometimes also church certificate.

Modern languages

Modern language proficiency measurement instruments are objectively developed by mostly non-profit organizations that specialize in this field. The research effort is enormous. As a rule, these are standards recognized by companies and academic institutions worldwide. The names differ: language certificates / tests / language diplomas. Of course, language diplomas have long been known in a different context at universities. In practice, for various foreign languages, there are opportunities to acquire evidence of the current language level from chambers of commerce, cultural institutes, language schools, universities, free language trainers and schools, depending on the measuring instrument, on a wide variety of dates.

Overview of language proficiency measurements / certificates / diplomas

For the German language :

The Standing Conference awards the German Language Diploma in Levels I and II.
The Goethe-Institut awards various certificates for the respective levels of the Common European Framework of Reference.
Austrian Language Diploma German (ÖSD)

For the English language :

Educational Testing Service (ETS)
First Certificate in English (FCE)
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Business English Certificate ; Vantage-Business English Certificate (BEC) - level 3 corresponds to level B2
Certificate in English for International Business and Trade (CEIBT)
TELC English (various levels)
Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
British Council Certificate ( International English Language Testing System )
Certificate from the London Chamber of Commerce ( London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Level LCCI I to IV)
Certificate from Cambridge University (see also Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English , Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English and ESOL )

For the French language :

the state Diplôme d'Etudes en langue française (DELF) and Diplôme approfondi de langue français (DALF)
the Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Diplôme de Français Professionnel (DFP) - Affaires 2 corresponds to level B2
Diplôme de Français des Affaires (DFA) - DFA 2 corresponds to level B2
Certificate from the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry

For the Spanish language :

Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) - Nivel Intermedio / DELE B2 corresponds to level B2

For the Portuguese language :

the language certificates of the University of Lisbon :
- Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira (CIPLE)
- Diploma Elementar de Português Língua Estrangeira (DEPLE)
- Diploma Intermédio de Português Língua Estrangeira (DIPLE)
- Diploma Avançado de Português Língua Estrangeira (DAPLE)
- Diploma Universitário de Português Língua Estrangeira (DUPLE)
the Brazilian CELPE-Bras language test

For the Italian language :

Certificato di lingua Italiana (CELI) - level 3 / CELI 3 corresponds to level B2
Certificato di conoscenza della lingua Italiana - level 5 corresponds to level B2
Certificazione di italiano come lingua straniera
Certificazione dell 'Italiano Commerciale

For the Dutch language :

the Dutch state examination as tweede taal (NT2)
the Belgian Certificaat Nederlands as Vreemde Taal (CNaVT)

For the Japanese language :
Japanese Language Proficiency Test , the premier international Japanese language test conducted worldwide

For the Arabic language :

Certificat international de maîtrise en arabe (CIMA) , the most important international language test for Arabic , developed by the Institut du monde arabe

Overview of levels

The following table gives an overview of the most popular European language diplomas:

Level according to GER	German	English	French	Italian	Spanish
A1 - Elementary use of language	Start German 1, FIT in German 1, ÖSD Certificate A1, ÖSD Certificate A1 / Austria, ÖSD KID A1	TELC A1	DELF A1	PLIDA A1	DELE A1
A2 - Elementary use of language	German Language Diploma (Level I), Start German 2, ÖSD Certificate A2, ÖSD Certificate A2 / Austria, ÖSD KID A2, FIT in German 2, ÖSD Integration Exam A2	TELC A2 / KET	DELF A2	PLIDA A2 / CELI 1	DELE A2
B1 - Independent use of language	German language diploma (level I), Goethe / ÖSD certificate B1 (for adults or young people), ÖSD certificate German Austria B1 (for adults or young people), ÖSD integration test B1	TELC B1 / PET / BEC	DELF B1	PLIDA B1, CELI 2, CILS Uno	DELE B1
B2 - Independent use of language	German Language Diploma (Level II), Goethe Certificate B2, Certificate German for Work (ZDfB), ÖSD Certificate B2 (for adults or young people), TestDaF	TELC B2 / FCE / BEC	DELF B2	PLIDA B2, CELI 3, CILS Due	DELE B2
C1 - Proficient use of the language	German Language Diploma (Level II), Goethe Certificate C1 (ZMP), ÖSD Certificate C1 (for adults or young people), Business German exam (PWD), TestDaF	CAE	DALF C1	PLIDA C1, CELI 4, CILS Tre	DELE C1
C2 - Proficient use of the language	Goethe Certificate C2: Large German Language Diploma, European Certificate C2, ÖSD Certificate C2, ÖSD Certificate C2 / Business Language German	CPE	DALF C2	PLIDA C2, CELI 5, CILS Quattro	DELE C2