Higher Education Language skills certification

General information on the CLES tests

CLES tests use a scenario based on a realistic situation in line with a chosen theme. The tasks are generally related to social issues and enable an assessment of skills that are transferable to the professional world

The candidate extracts relevant information from texts and authentic audiovisual documents so as to accomplish realistic tasks:

• Writing a text and producing a voice message (level B1)
• Managing a spoken interaction (level B2)
• Making an oral presentation (level C1)

To achieve this, the applicant must :

• Understand the theme of the scenario
• Take ownership of the content
• Process the information (sorting, selection, prioritizing information)
• Reorganise appropriate elements of information for the final production tasks

It should be noted that all the tasks are linked to each other. The information gathered in the comprehension activities is intended to be used in the writing and speaking phases.

Presentation of the B1 test

Test duration: 2 hours
Test context: A realistic-type situation abroad
Certified competence: Dealing with everyday situations in a foreign country

Test 1: Listening comprehension (30 minutes) :

• 2 audio and/or video documents lasting approximately 5 minutes
• 3 listenings for each document

Test 2: Reading comprehension and written expression (1 hour and 15 minutes) :

• Texts (approximately 5 pages)
• Writing a letter (200 words), e-mail or blog

Test 3: Oral expression (15 minutes) :

• Leave 2 voice messages, duration 2 minutes each

Presentation of the B2 test

Test duration: 3 hours
Test context: A realistic-type situation based on a general theme.  Documents identify an issue that will lead to a negotiating situation
Certified competence: Interact and negotiate in everyday life and in a professional context.

Test 1: Listening comprehension (30 minutes) :

• 2 or 3 audio and/or video documents lasting approximately 5 minutes
• 3 listenings for each document

Test 2: Reading comprehension and written expression (2 hours and 15 minutes) :

• Texts (approximately 5 pages)
• Write a 300-word summary based on the documents (texts, audios, videos)

Test 3: Oral expression (10 minutes) :

• In pairs, play an assigned role in a negotiation situation and reach an agreed decision

Presentation of the C1 test

This scenario is designed by field of activity: Art-Literature-Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, Health, Law, Economics-Management, etc.
Test duration: 4 hours 20 minutes
Test context:  Communication situations based on research linked to your area of study or research
Certified competence: Use language skills in professional, social and/or academic life

Test 1: Preparation of production tasks (3 hours) :

• Note-taking from 7- 8 pages of authentic texts and 10 minutes of audiovisual material
• Preparation of a visual support for a presentation to the jury

Test 2: Oral expression (10 minutes) :

• Oral presentation with a visual support

Test 3: Spoken interaction (10 minutes) :

• Interview with a jury

Test 4: Written expression (1 hour) :

• Writing a 600-word report, taking into account the jury's remarks.