The European Language Certificates

The European Language Certificates, or telc language tests, are international standardised tests of ten languages. telc GmbH is a language test provider headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. They non-profit company is a subsidiary of the German Adult Education Association (DVV). The nonprofit company telc GmbH has more than 70 certificates on offer, including general language and vocational examinations and tests for students. All telc language examinations correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which was published in 2001 by the Euro Council for the skill areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing. Telc language tests can be taken in English, German, Turkish, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, and Arabic. The nonprofit telc GmbH is a full member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). telc language exams can be taken in over 3,000 test centers in 20 countries, including community colleges and private language schools. Under the label "telc Training", telc also offers training for teachers and staff in the area of languages.

The European Language Certificates - today telc examinations, formerly VHS Certificate - arose in 1968 when a team of language experts to Robert Nowacek first developed as a standardized language test for the German Adult Education Association (DVV) – the VHS Certificate in English. Over the years, tests followed in other European languages. 1995 the Examination Centre of DVV became a member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). Main objective of this association of Language Testers from over 20 European countries is the quality assurance of language exams. In 1998 the examination Centre of DVV became WBT (Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH), eight years later it was renamed telc GmbH (The European Language Certificates).

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, telc GmbH in cooperation with Goethe-Institute developed the German test for immigrants (DTZ) from 2006 to 2009. The test is taken to complete the integration courses and the result, if successful, entails a settlement permit in Germany. Also, naturalization may be requested with proof of successful completion of the German test for immigrants. After the development, telc GmbH received the commission by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to carry out and further develop the DTZ. In 2011, telc GmbH developed the German Test for Austria on behalf of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), which was founded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI). It is a version of the German test for immigrants A2-B1revised for Austria. Since 1 July 2011, the proof of German language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference is required also in Austria for obtaining citizenship.

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