ALTE
Language certification tests by the members of ALTE
The Union of Languages Examiners in Europe is composed by European institutions that deal with the planning of examinations and the issuing of language certificates. The ALTE is composed of 27 members, among which are included the University of Cambridge ESOL, the International Centre of
Pedagogic Studies, the Institute Gaite, the Institute Cervantes and the University for Foreighers of Perugia. These members of ALTE provide
and organise examinations in the English, French, German, Spanish and Italian language all over the world, and naturally and in Greece.
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The main objective of ALTE is to show with clarity so much the equivalency of the language certificates in the various languages, as also their practical effects. In this way the usability of the language diplomas is increased and the mobility of their holders is facilitated. It is important for the employers, for example, to know what they should practically expect from the holder of a certain certificate, and which language title is advisable to be required individually in the various proclamations of work positions.
It is equally useful for the educational institutions to know that their candidate students will be able to cope linguistically with the circle of studies of their choice. The examinations owe to have as constants recognized levels of dexterities which are perceptible in individuals of different countries, even if they do not know any details about the particular certificates.
For this aim, the members of ALTE created the European Frame that includes six levels of language knowledge and from 2001, has been harmonised completely with the Common European Frame of Report.
The examinations of members have been included in the Frame, so that the correlations and the equivalences of the various language certificates are henceforth explicit,
so that anyone can easily conceive the level of knowledge of the holder of a certificate on the basis of an internationally recognized scale.
In order to be realised, the vision of European mobility, the students need certificates-supplies so much for the job market, what for superior education in the abroad.
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Where can I use my certificate?
The examinations that are included in the rank of levels of ALTE are immediately connected with the Common European Frame of Report and are recognized not
only in Greece but also in most countries of the world, from employers, universities and government owned institutions.
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Is my certificate valid only for a limited period of time?
No. Language testimonials that are granted by the members of ALTE are in effect via life and the holders can be certain that the their certificate will be recognized during their whole labour life.
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What are the levels of the council of Europe/ ALTE?
Six levels ALTE - A1 until C2- exist that correspond to the Frame of Council of Europe. In the table that follows are mentioned the certificates that the members of ALTE grant in Greece:
Comparison of the language certification tests.
| Council of Europe/ ALTE Level | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
| English Certificates | Key English Test (KET) | Preliminary English Test (PET) | First Certificate in English (FCE) | Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) | Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | |
| German Certificates | Start Deutsch 1 | Start Deutsch 2 | Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) | Zentrale Mittelstufenprufung (ZMP) | Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) | |
| Spanish Certificates | Diploma de Espanol (Nivel Inicial) | Diploma de Espanol (Nivel Intermedio) | Diploma de Espanol (Nivel Superior) | |||
| Italian Certificates | Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 1 (CELI 1) | Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 2 (CELI 2) | Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 3 (CELI 3) | Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 4 (CELI 4) | Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana, Livello 5 (CELI 5) | |
| French Certificates DELF - DALF The harmonisation with the Common European Frame of Report of Council of Europe will be in effect from September 2005. | Diplome d'Etudes en Langue Francaise DELF / A1 | Diplome d'Etudes en Langue Francaise DELF / A2 | Diplome d'Etudes en Langue Francaise DELF / B1 | Diplome d'Etudes en Langue Francaise DELF / B2 | Diplome Apporofondi de Langue Francaise DALF / C1 | Diplome Apporofondi de Langue Francaise DALF / C2 |
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