Due to a recent amendment in Italian law anyone who applies for Italian citizenship must prove an adequate knowledge of the Italian language. This means that applicants must obtain at least an Italian B1 certification in language competency.
What does the B1 Italian level of proficiency mean?
Applicants at a B1 level should be able to speak and write easily on everyday topics in which they can describe experiences and events, express their opinions, make comparisons and give suggestions. Applicants should also be able to read and understand the general meaning and main information of linear texts about general topics.
What grammar does the B1 level include?
Definite and Indefinite Articles, Qualifying Adjective, Personal Pronouns, Relative Pronouns, Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns, Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns, Interrogative Adjectives and Pronouns, Indefinite Adjectives and Pronouns, Combined Prepositions.
The following tenses of Regular, Reflexive, Modal and Irregular Verbs:
Present Indicative
Passato Prossimo Indicative
Imperfetto Indicative
Present Infinitive
Imperative
Present Conditional
How do I get certified for language competency in Los Angeles?
The only government approved certification exam offered in Los Angeles is the CILS (Certiication of Italian as a Foreign Language) that is administered by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura twice a year. The next exam session will be on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. There is a fee associated with the exam.
What can I expect from the exam?
The University of Siena has created the CILS B1 Citizenship exam specifically for people seeking Italian citizenship. Please note that this exam is different from the standard CILS B1. The B1 Citizenship exam includes four parts and fewer tasks than the standard B1 exam: listening (2 tasks), reading and use of language (2 tasks), writing (1 task), speaking (1 task). Unlike the standard B1 exam, the CILS B1 Citizenship has to be passed in full which means if candidates fail one part of the exam, it is not possible to repeat only that part but they have to do the whole exam again
How do I prepare for the exam?
Fondazione Italia has recently launched two NEW online courses specifically geared to preparing students for the CILS B1 Citizenship exam.
B1 Preparation for Beginning StudentsThroughout this 30-week course, students will not only learn Italian at the required level but they will also learn specific skills that will help them pass the B1 Citizenship exam. No previous knowledge of Italian is necessary to attend this course but students must be committed to studying at home and completed all assignments. Participants are preparing to take the CILS B1 exam offered in May 2020.
Class Dates:
Sept. 11, 18, 25 / Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 / Nov. 6, 13, 20 / Dec. 4, 11, 18 / Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 / Feb. 5 , 12, 19, 26 / Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25 /April 1, 15, 22, 29 (no class Dec. 26, Nov. 27, Jan. 2 & Apr. 8)
Time: Wednesdays 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm PST B1 Preparation for Intermediate StudentsThis 10-week course addresses the specific needs of those students who are planning to take the B1 exam on December 3, 2019. This course focuses on teaching the necessary skills to pass the B1 Citizenship exam. Previous knowledge of Italian at an intermediate level (3 years of study) is recommended to attend this course. Please, contact us to request an assessment test before enrolling.
Class Dates: Sept. 18, 25 / Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 / Nov 6, 13, 20Time: Wednesdays 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm PST
