Measure of Developing English Language – WIDA

ISC uses the WIDA model to measure students’ developing English abilities. This assessment consists of English language proficiency tests appropriate each grade. It measures listening, speaking, reading and writing skills individually and also provides an overall English score. It is designed for students who learn English as an additional language to their native or mother tongue(s).

WIDA is administered at ISC for different purposes:

  1. to understand the level of English students have when applying or first joining ISC,
  2. to measure progress, as needed and,
  3. as one tool for placement into MYP English Language and Literature or MYP English Language Acquisition.

The purpose of this assessment is to identify strengths and areas for development for students. The outcomes help our teachers in the design and delivery of their instruction and assessments. It also helps us to determine whether a student should receive additional English language support as part of the regular school day. More information about the WIDA model can be found at: https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/model.

PLIDA Certification Centre–Italian Language

ISC has become an authorized PLIDA Certification Centre and can therefore provide its students and others with the opportunity of taking PLIDA exams in order to obtain a PLIDA Certificate.

PLIDA website: https://plida.it/?fbclid=IwAR0s-u1-KUnRbUxR8m6ENN-rqGD8kn1UZobCGb4z8wc3olcqkGwKTYvDG8A

What is PLIDA?

The PLIDA Certificate is an official Diploma issued by the Dante Alighieri Society under an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Rome La Sapienza. It attests proficiency in Italian as a foreign language on a 6-level scale according to the parameters established by the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2 in progression of difficulty.

The PLIDA Juniores evaluates and certifies the language competence of adolescents (aged between 13 and 18) according to the first four CEFR levels: A1, A2, B1 and B2. Its structure is identical to that of the ordinary PLIDA Certificate, with the same institutional value, but the contents of the examination are designed considering the context of communication in which this age group operates.

Furthermore, the PLIDA Certificate is officially affiliated to ALTE (Association of Language Tester in Europe). This European Association promotes multilingualism in Europe, sets the standards for language evaluation, guarantees quality and equity in language testing and groups together the language certifications officially recognized in Europe.

Who can take the exam?

The PLIDA Certificate is intended for:

  • students whose mother tongue is not Italian;
  • all Italian citizens with Italian as mother tongue, living abroad and needing a certificate of language competence for study, work or other reasons.

What is the PLIDA Certificate for?

With the PLIDA Certificate you can:

  • Enroll in an Italian University without signing up for an entrance examination in Italian (Level B2 or C1);
  • Specify in a very transparent way your language competence level in Italian in your CV and in job application forms;
  • Register with a professional association to practice certain occupations (e.g., the medical profession);
  • Gain a valid alternative to the South Tyrolean bilingual exam, as PLIDA is recognized from the South Tyrolean Administration;
  • Obtain a residence permit or a long-term residence permit for non-EU citizens.
  • The project of offering not only ISC students, but also interested external parties the opportunity to certify their language skills in Italian, was an initiative of Ms. Veronica Bigi and two other Italian instructors, in collaboration with the School of Management Language Center of the Carinthia
  • University of Applied Sciences (CUAS). The three language instructors represent the examination board of PLIDA Certificate:
  • Ms. Veronica Bigi, Master Degree in European and Extra-European Languages and Literatures, post-graduate Master in Teaching and Promoting Italian Language and Culture (ITALS) and Italian language teacher at ISC since 2017.
  • Ms. Karin Martin, PhD in Linguistics, CEDILS Certified Teacher in Teaching Italian as a Foreign or Second Language and Senior Research / Lecturer in Italian at CUAS;
  • Ms. Stefania Squadrito, Master degree in Applied Literature, Italian Instructor at Dante Alighieri Villach since 2009 and part-time Lecturer in Italian at CUAS.

Link to registration

ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch)

  • The ÖSD (= Austrian language diploma) provides a wide range of internationally recognized exams for German as a foreign language learner.
  • The ÖSD exams are accepted worldwide (by universities, employers, professional bodies and governments). However, acceptance is always subject to the specific entry requirements which differ from university to university.
  • The exams are based on the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
  • All exams focus on reading, listening, writing and speaking.

ÖSD at ISC

  • ISC was licensed in 2020
  • Six German teachers are trained to cover examinations on different levels
  • ISC is an “internal examination centre” for students and teachers. Exams can not be offered to parents or non-ISC community members.
  • Exams will happen once a year in June.
  • Registration is voluntary.
  • At the moment, ISC offers five different levels based on our current needs

KID A1, KID A2, ZA1, ZA2 & ZB1
The German Department