Proof of bilingual and trilingualism

The certificate of bilingualism ( Italian attestato di bilinguismo , Ladin atestat dl bilinguism ) is a language certificate for German and Italian , which is required for employment in the public service in South Tyrol ( Italy ). The Dreisprachigkeitsnachweis ( Italian attestato di trilinguismo , Ladin atestat de trilinguism ) includes, in addition Ladin and is within South Tyrol especially for the filling of vacancies in the Ladin-speaking areas of the Val Badia and Val Gardena decisive. The certificates are issued by the official department for the bilingual and trilingual exams and exist for four different language levels (according to GERS classification: C1, B2, B1, A2). Within the legal framework, there are three ways of proving language skills: passing the officially conducted bilingual or trilingual test , submitting a language certificate from an internationally recognized body or a multilingual educational biography.

Language levels

Since the skills required in the various official languages depend very much on the professional environment, there are certificates for four different language levels.

Language level C1: The requirements correspond to an examination at university level. The certificate is for positions such as B. Doctor, architect, engineer and second language teacher required.

Language level B2: This is an examination at Matura level . It is required when filling positions such as nurses, secretaries, clerks and the like.

Language level B1: The level is that of a technical school or a completed craftsman's apprenticeship. Therefore, when applying for positions such as B. Cook, carpenter or forester needed.

Language level A2: The exam is a prerequisite for filling professions such as manual workers, unskilled workers, cleaners and the like.

Each certificate can be obtained regardless of personal level of education. An acquired bilingual or trilingual certificate is valid for an unlimited period of time.

Proof of language skills

Bilingual and trilingual examinations

The concept of a bilingual or trilingual test was introduced in 1976 as part of the implementation of the South Tyrolean Statute of Autonomy ; the first tests took place in 1977. Originally, these exams, organized by the Province of South Tyrol, were the only way to obtain the proof of language qualifications required by public employers. They are carried out by the official department specially set up for the bilingual and trilingual tests .

The bilingual test evaluates an applicant's knowledge of German and Italian within one test appointment. The trilingual test consists of a bilingual test and a Ladin test on a separate date. The Ladin examination is offered in both the Gardena and the Gadertal varieties.

For many years, a specially designed scheme was used in the examinations, which differentiated between career paths A, B, C and D (in the diction at that time) , with A standing for the highest and D for the lowest required language level. In 2014 (German and Italian exams) and 2017 (Ladinish exams), there was an adjustment to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages , which was reflected in the revised test formats and the adoption of the C1, B2, B1 and A2 codes for the language levels.

The success rates in the tests vary greatly depending on the language level; In 2010, 53.6% of the candidates passed the test at language level A (C1), while it was only 21.1% for language level B (B2) and 34.3% for language level C (B1). At language level D (A2), on the other hand, 78.1% of the candidates passed the exam.

Language certificates from internationally recognized bodies

Since 2010 it has been possible to submit language certificates from internationally recognized bodies for German and Italian. The list of these bodies is precisely defined by the State of South Tyrol and includes, for example, the Goethe Institute for German or the Società Dante Alighieri for Italian certificates.

If only one language certificate is submitted, a supplementary monolingual test in the non-certified language can be taken at the office for the bilingual and trilingual tests . Example: If only a German certificate acquired at the Goethe-Institut is presented, then the outstanding proof of knowledge of Italian can be provided by an official Italian exam.

Multilingual educational biographies

Since 2010 it has also been possible to obtain proof of bilingualism at language level C1 through multilingual educational biographies. There are two defined variants that lead to the acquisition of bilingualism through recognition of study titles . The first variant consists of a combination of Matura in one language and Bachelor in the other language. The second variant consists of a combination of a Bachelor in one language and a Master or Ph.D. in the other language. In order for a course to be recognized as a sufficient linguistic qualification, at least 80% of it must be in the required language.

Web links

Individual evidence

↑ Trilingualism: Ladin examination according to the new format. Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, July 31, 2017, accessed on October 8, 2019 .
↑ Bilingual and trilingual examinations - 2010 - Astat . Press release from the State Press Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. Retrieved February 26, 2011.

[1] Trilingualism: Ladin examination according to the new format. Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, July 31, 2017, accessed on October 8, 2019 .

[2] Bilingual and trilingual examinations - 2010 - Astat . Press release from the State Press Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. Retrieved February 26, 2011.