Foreign language proficiency test

Students enrolled in the first year of Bachelor's degree programs from the academic year 2019/20 onwards must take the English language test according to the procedures outlined in the UNICLA project.

English Language Project UNICA-CLA – Registration Opening for Placement Test – Freshmen 2024/2025 – First Session November 2024

The Faculty Council of February 22, 2023, decided that for requests regarding the recognition of CFU (university credits) required in Master's degree programs for B2-level English, only certifications recognized by the CLA (University Language Center) will be accepted. The list of accepted certifications is available on the CLA's website, in accordance with the AICLU (Italian Association of University Language Centers) guidelines. The validity of certifications, according to the procedures adopted by the CLA, is 5 years. However, badges issued through the UNICLA project will be considered valid for the entire duration of the study program, even if obtained during the Bachelor's program. Students holding certifications that are not recognized may still obtain credit recognition by participating in the (free) placement tests organized by the Faculty or the paid tests directly organized by the CLA. Requests for the recognition of certifications must be sent to the Dean’s Office at: presidenza.ingarc@unica.it

For all students enrolled in master's degree programs or those enrolled in the first year of a bachelor's degree program up to the academic year 2018/19, the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture offers the opportunity to take a placement test at the University Language Center (CLA) to assess their individual level of English proficiency.

If the level achieved corresponds to the one required by the student’s Degree Program Regulations (B1 for bachelor's degrees and B2 for master's degrees), the corresponding credits will be awarded.

For these students, the scheduled dates for the foreign language proficiency tests are:

• January 28, 2025
• March 27, 2025
• May 20, 2025
• June 24, 2025
• September 4, 2025
• October 28, 2025

The University Language Center announces that:
"As of November 2022, each student is allowed to take the Faculty Test / Skills Assessment for the UNICA-CLA Project up to 3 consecutive attempts per level (not per Academic or calendar year).
After using all 3 attempts, students may retake the test only after skipping one session (they cannot take the next immediate test), in order to ensure adequate preparation."

For more information, please visit the CLA webpage.

Characteristics of the English language test

The test is held online at the language lab of Sa Duchessa, online.
It is a progressive test that assesses English proficiency from level A1 to level C2, at it lasts about 30–35 minutes.
The test evaluates skills in vocabulary, syntax, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension only (no writing or speaking).

A Mock Test simulating the placement test from level A1 to B2 is available on the University Language Center’s website.

Preparation: any textbook appropriate for the required level (Oxford, Cambridge, Longman, Heinemann), as long as it includes audio exercises.

Similar tests can be found online by searching for terms like PET (Cambridge) or English test in any search engine.

Resources for Studying the English Language

The University Language Center (CLA), in addition to its training activities and English language assessment sessions, provides numerous resources on its website to support the study of English:

1) Self-learning courses at A2 and B1 levels (General A2 and B1, projects UNICA-CLA A2 and UNICA-CLA B1).

2) Peer-to-peer tutoring service (by appointment via the email address: tutorato.cla@unica.it with the collaborating students): Tutoring Notice

3) All information about the tests offered, along with resources for independent language preparation for levels A2, B1, and B2.

4) Office hours with Professor Olga Denti, held twice a week, available to all students who need to check errors in their assignments, ask questions, get information, explanations, or assistance.

5) Appointment-based office hours with a CLA instructor, Dr. Alessio Pisci (all details and access procedures are available at the notice link: https://web.unica.it/unica/page/en/ricevimento_studenti__dott_alessio_pisci)

Useful Links for Self-learning

There is a Facebook group that offers suggestions and help (the only rule is to write in English). It is called Lingua Inglese per Economia e Lingue (English Language for Economics and Languages). The CLA’s Facebook group may also be useful.

Below is a collection of websites that are useful for English language learning.