CILS

Welcome to the CILS Information Page 

A close up logo of the Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera.
The CILS certification is an officially recognized qualification and is an important tool for work as well as in education and academia.

The certifications of proficiency in the Italian Language are issued by the University of Siena. The Italian Cultural Center of San Diego is a recognized center, approved by the University of Siena.  Our instructors are certified CILS trainers and examiners by the University of Siena. We are the only Italian Cultural Center in San Diego that is a testing site for the CILS Exam.

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Course Preparation for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza

The Italian Cultural Center of San Diego prepares students for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam by introducing a comprehensive overview of the various sections of the exam.  The CILS B1 Cittadinanza Preparation course will provide students with a review of all grammar structures included in the exam, and an introduction and practice of all four sections of the exam: listening and reading comprehension, writing, and speaking. In addition, to covering the various aspects of the exam, students will take several practice exams to become acquainted with test taking.  Each class time will be devoted to review the numerous topics covered in the exam, take a practice exam, and review it with the instructor.

Previous knowledge of Italian at the Intermediate 302/303 level is required prior to enrolling in the course preparation.

 
📕 Required Book

Titolo: Percorso CILS B1 Cittadinanza (red book)

Autore: Emanuela Paciotti, Paola La Gamma

Editor: Ornimi

 

📆 Schedule for (SP24)

Instructor: Elisa

Dates: 04/11 – 06/13/24

Time: Thursday 10:00am-12:00pm

Class: Online

 

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CILS Examination (Italian Certification as a Foreign Language)

 

Created by the University of Siena, the CILS certification attests one’s linguistic-communicative competence in Italian as their second language. CILS certifications are recognized both in the workplace, in education and at university. Through the examination the linguistic-communicative competences and the four basic skills are evaluated, therefore the exam is divided into four sections (oral, written, morphosyntactic and lexical competence, comprehension of written texts, comprehension of oral texts). The exam consists of both closed questions (multiple choice questions) and semi-structured questions (re-elaboration of texts starting from data elements) and open (free development of a topic).

 

Each part of the examination is evaluated independently, so to pass the exam you must have obtained the necessary grade in each section. If this is not the case, then it is possible to retake the necessary sections.

 

To receive a certification necessary to apply to the Italian citizenship “through Marriage or Same Sex Union” set in force on 12/04/2008 by law n. 132. the B1 Cittadinanza Exam candidates must pass all of the four sections of the exam.

 

Next Exam Date: April 13, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM

Place: Point Loma Nazarene University campus in San Diego (3900 Lomaland Dr. San Diego, CA 92106)

Registration CLOSING Date: March 11, 2024

Registration Requirements: To request registration, please send the following documents via email prior to the closing date listed above to: patrizia.lissoni@icc-sd.org.


  1. Completed and signed registration form
  2. Copy in PDF format of a valid identity document.

Registrations are accepted on a “first come first served” basis. Therefore, you may pay the exam fee only after your enrollment has been accepted. An email containing information on fees and payment methods will be sent to the registered candidates.