As of December 4, 2018 (Italian law No. 132, of December 1, 2018) adequate knowledge of the Italian language is required for obtaining Italian citizenship pursuant to art. 5 and 9 of Law 91/1992. Adequate knowledge is defined to be no less than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Fulfillment of this requirement is met by the acquisition of a title/certification issued by one of the following universities. Generally speaking, the exam is part of an agreement called CLIQ, which stands for Centro Lingua Italiana di Qualità but, don’t focus on this name, as you will rather hear more often the names of the different exams themselves. Each university has its own so the names are several names that candidates hear while searching for more info but the level, the structure, and what is required is pretty much the same for all.
What are the names of the different exams/universities?
- Università per Stranieri di Perugia(CELI 2)
- Università per Stranieri di Siena (CILS cittadinanza)
- Società Dante Alighieri(PLIDA)
- Università degli Studi Roma Tre (IT – ele.IT)
Are they all available in the US?
So far the two most common in the US are CELI and CILS
What does a B1 Level mean?
B1 is an intermediate level. Here below the what is expected by the candidate:
- Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
- Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
- Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
How can I prepare?
One can buy preparation books (mainly sold in Italy) but they are useful only when you have already reached the B1 level, you just want to practice and get familiar with the structure of the test.
Because getting to the intermediate level is a long journey to start, I suggest joining a course if you have time to invest in a 1-2 year study course (if starting from scratch). If instead your time is ticking and you need to take the test ASAP, I suggest going immediately with private classes.
A B1 level is not only a list of grammar to know and be able to use, but rather an intermediate knowledge of the language in the 4 skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Important is the vocabulary that can only expand with time.
If you are ready for your test, I invite the candidate to take at least one 90 min class with a professional to see how he/she would score in a mock test.
What are the grammar topics that usually show in the test?
Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense
Combined Pronouns
Simple & Compound Prepositions
What exams does Speakitaly NYC offer?
We are a CELI and CILS official center.
Are the exams held only in person?
Yes, always!
What is the structure of the test? And when is the test administered?
CELI 2 Cittadinanza:
A – Reading Comprehension
B – Writing
C – Listening
D- Speaking
LENGTH: 2 HOURS + ORAL TEST
SESSIONS: March, June and November
COST: $215
REGISTRATION closes 40 days before the exam
CILS B1 Cittadinanza:
A –Reading Comprehension
B –Writing
C –Listening
D-Speaking
LENGTH: 2 HOURS + ORAL TEST
SESSIONS 2021: Feb, Apr, Jun, Jul, Oct and Dec
COST: $170
REGISTRATION closes 40 days before the exam
Results:
Within 3 months
What if I don’t pass it?
The test has a written part (A-B-C) and an oral part. You need to pass each section to pass the part. If you pass for example only the oral part, you can retake the written part only and vice versa, as long as you do it within one year from the first test.
What else do I need to apply for Italian Dual Citizenship?
You need to have your birth certificate, your estratto di matrimonio (your spouse should have register your marriage at AIRE), complete FBI and State Check for each state/country you have lived in for more than 6 months since you were born. All the documents will need to be officially translated and the originals apostilled in the original if they are part of The Hague agreement otherwise they need to be legalized by the consulate where they are being issued. Depending on where you apply other steps may be required.
We can help both legally throughout the entire process, and prepare for the language test.
Can I translate the documents yourself?
Usually consulates in the US required the translations to be certified by professionals but you can check specifics on your consulate’s website
Once I have all the documents what should I do?
You have to go to the website of the Ministero, create a profile and upload your documents. Make sure to follow the instructions for file dimensions
Once you are done, you will receive an email after a few days from an employee of the Consulate confirming that all is good and the day of your appointment. If something is wrong don’t worry, he/she will tell you what the problem is
What happens at my appointment?
You will hand all the originals to the employee assigned to your case
And then?
If all is done right, you don’t have to do anything, you just have to wait for a letter to come in confirming you are now a citizen of Italy.
Raffaella
Ph: 212-603-9685
FB: @speakitalynyc
Instagram: @speakitalynyc