Language tests and diplomas

How proficient are you in English and is your level high enough to enroll in an English-taught Master's program, and to write a thesis? Will you also be able to cope with your English when you go abroad? You can now test your level of English using the Student English Language Assessment.

The SELA is freely available to all Tilburg University students on Canvas.

After the test, you receive a score, an indication of your level, and feedback based on the CEFR levels. You can see what you are able to do at this level and what you can do to improve your English. Simply put, the test will tell you if you need to work on your English and which course can help you do that. Please remember that the SELA is a self-assessment tool and can not be used for official certification purposes. 

Tilburg University students who are going abroad are not automatically required to take an English language test. However, you do need to take this test if the partner university that you are applying to requires such a test or proof of your level of English.  

The test can be done through the Tilburg University Language Center. It is important to register for the test well in advance of your departure. This institutional proficiency test certifies that you fulfill the minimum language proficiency requirement of the participating foreign universities: CEFR B2.

Alternatives to the language test

You are exempt from taking the English language test as required by partner universities if you can demonstrate that you meet the minimum language requirement. This can be done in various ways:

• If you have successfully completed one or more of the Language Center’s courses below:
  • English for the Future
  • English for Academic Writing
  • English for Argumentative Writing
  • English for Research Writing
  • English Advanced
  • Improving your English to C1
  • Improving your English to C2
  • English for TOEFL
  • English for Communicative Purposes
  • English for Business Communication
  • English for Academic Purposes Summer Course
  • Academic Writing for Liberal Arts
  • Linguistic & Argumentation Skills for Global Law (I or I and II)
  • Writing Skills and Presentation Skills for IBA or ECO, with B2+ or higher for both
    
    In all cases, you should submit a copy of your course results at the Student Desk.
     
• If you have qualified for the language requirement in another way, for example by additional language education after your secondary school or by participating in bilingual vwo, you can only qualify with officially recognized certificates/tests and if you meet the minimum requirement. Documentation should be submitted to the Student Desk. After the Language Center has reviewed the documents, you will receive the exemption and a certificate.
  PLEASE NOTE: that any of these IB or Cambridge / TOEFL / IELTS certificates cannot be older than 3 years.

You are not exempt from the Language Test with:

• English Speaking & Pronunciation
• English Presentation & Performance
• English for Negotiation and Deliberation
• TOEFL Exam Training Bootcamp
• Any of the Student English Language Assessments (SELAs)

Test and certificate

The test consists of a grammar test (100 questions), which takes 45 minutes, and a listening test (100 questions), which takes approximately 15 minutes. In addition, you write a one-page essay on a choice of topics provided. In total, the entire test takes approximately 2 hours.

If you receive a CEFR level of B2 for your English Language Test, you will receive a certificate (generally two weeks after the test), which should be submitted to your exchange coordinator. If you receive a CEFR level lower than B2, you will receive advice on possible courses to take. The English instructor may require you to take a course before you are permitted to take the test again.

Costs

You pay an administration fee for the Language Test of € 25. This is to pay for the test itself and the time it takes to grade the test and make a certificate. You receive the certificate with your score.

Dates and registration

Dates to be announced as soon as possible.

You are only allowed to register for this test if you are going on exchange. You can register here. The test is administered in groups at specific dates (see above). If you go abroad with ISEP, you need a so-called Language Proficiency Report, completed by a language instructor. For ISEP ENGLISH Language Proficiency Report, contact Suzanne Peraino.

Preparation

Read and listen to as much English as possible before taking the test. The following books may help you refresh your memory on certain grammatical or writing issues:

• Murphy, R. (1994). English Grammar in Use with Answers. Cambridge University Press.
• English Toolbox in Canvas.
• A good online source for grammar practice is www.englishpage.com

Students, who are going to study in a German-speaking, French-speaking or Spanish-speaking country or in Italy, are required to take a language test. This can be done through the Tilburg University Language Center.

This institutional proficiency test certifies that you fulfill the minimum language proficiency requirement of Tilburg University’s exchange programs and of the participating foreign universities: CEFR B1. It is important to register for the test well in advance of your departure.

You are exempt from taking the Language Test if you can demonstrate that you meet the minimum language requirement. This can be done in various ways:

• If you have successfully completed one or more of the Language Center’s courses below:
  • Intermediate German
  • Advanced German
  • Intermediate French
  • Advanced French
  • Intermediate Spanish

• If you have previously passed an internationally recognized test, the Language Center teacher in question will review the certificate and determine whether or not you qualify for an exemption. Please note that any of these certificates cannot be older than 3 years.

• If you have qualified for the language requirement in another way, for example by additional language education after your secondary school, you can only qualify with officially recognized certificates/tests and if you meet the minimum requirement. Documentation should be submitted to the Student Desk. After the Language Center has reviewed the documents, you will receive the exemption.

Costs, registration and certificate

You pay an administration fee for the language test of € 25. This is to pay for the test itself and the time it takes to grade the test and make a certificate. You receive the certificate with your score.  

You are  only allowed to register for this test if you are going on exchange. You can apply for the test via Cristina Irún, coordinator Foreign Languages. In consultation with Ms Irún and the teacher in question, a date for the test will be decided upon. Once the date is known, you can register here.

If you pass, you receive a certificate, which should be submitted to your exchange coordinator. If you fail, you receive advice on possible courses to take. The instructor may require you to take a course before you are permitted to take the test again.

As a lecturer or researcher, you are confronted with English on a daily basis. Many of you will have to lecture in English. Most can handle this quite well, but you surely remember situations in which you would like to express yourself more subtly. Maybe you discover you only know of one way to explain something, or maybe you look for the right word and find that you are a bit stuck. And how good or bad is your pronunciation really?

Extra information: testing during COVID-19

At the moment, many people are working from home or may have difficulty coming to the university. That is why for the current moment, we are offering two kinds of Assessments: online and on campus.

Online assessment: The online assessment takes place in Canvas Conference. You will be added to a Canvas page with instructions. We do stick to a fixed time, even if the assessment is online, so you join the conference at the designated time. We will then give you instructions and you do your Writing assessment. You will also get instructions for the online receptive skills test. For this, we give you a time frame in which to take the test, though we recommend taking it during these 3 hours. Speaking tests are done digitally as well with a partner and an assessor with the Language Center. A maximum of 20 people can participate in an online assessment.

On-campus assessment: On-campus assessments take place in AZ413 (a Language Center computer room). We guarantee the 1.5-meter distance at all times. You take both the Writing test and the Receptive Skills tests behind a computer. A few speaking tests on the day itself will be done on campus, but most of you will take this test digitally. A maximum of 11 people can participate in this on-campus assessment for the time being.

Procedure and results

During half a day, you are tested on the following skills:

• Receptive skills (80 minutes): This online computer adaptive test is designed to test grammar and vocabulary as well as a person’s understanding of meaning when communicating in English.
• Writing (75 minutes): your written proficiency is tested by means of an academic writing task.
• Speaking (25 minutes) by appointment: during a brief conversation in pairs, your oral proficiency (and pronunciation) are tested in different settings (social talk, a conversation about an academic topic of your choice, and a discussion). The oral assessment is done soon after your general testing session by means of a conversation. You make an appointment for this.

The results, indicated as a CEFR level, reflect your level in the different skills that have been tested. You will also receive advice about the possible courses suitable for your level and specific needs. To effectively function in English, academic staff should have a C2 CEFR level. Depending on the test results, your supervisor will enable you to attend any necessary courses.

Costs

• € 150 (paid by your department)

Dates

• Dates and times for 2021 will be published as soon as possible. 

Before you choose an online-Assessment, make sure you have a stable internet connection, working webcam and headset or microphone. For recommended hardware requirements, see this TiU website.

Registration

Send the completed registration form to the Language Center (languagecenter@tilburguniversity.edu)

• Registration forms should be at the Language Center no later than ten workdays (online Assessment) and 5 workdays (on Campus Assessment) before the Assessment. 
• Registrations are processed in order of receipt.
• There is a maximum number of participants for each assessment.

For more information, please contact the Language Center secretariat (tel. 2508, A 15) or Linda Mous, Coordinator of the English section (tel. 3125, A 15).

Interesting links

• Information about Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English  
• Information about IELTS: International English Language Testing Systems  
• Information about the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference): European Council Proficiency Guidelines

As a policy advisor or other Tilburg University managerial staff, you are confronted with English on a daily basis. Maybe you have to present at information meetings or answer questions from international staff. Most can handle these situations quite well, but you surely remember situations in which you would like to express yourself subtly. Maybe you discover you only know of one way to explain something, or maybe you look for the right word and find that you are a bit stuck. And how good or bad is your pronunciation really?

Extra information: testing during COVID-19

At the moment, many people are working from home or may have difficulty coming to the university. That is why for the current moment, we are offering two kinds of Assessments: online and on campus.

Online assessment: The online assessment takes place in Canvas Conference. You will be added to a Canvas page with instructions. We do stick to a fixed time, even if the assessment is online, so you join the conference at the designated time. We will then give you instructions and you do your Writing assessment. You will also get instructions for the online receptive skills test. For this, we give you a time frame in which to take the test, though we recommend taking it during these 3 hours. Speaking tests are done digitally as well with a partner and an assessor with the Language Center. A maximum of 20 people can participate in an online assessment.

On-campus assessment: On-campus assessments take place in AZ413 (a Language Center computer room). We guarantee the 1.5-meter distance at all times. You take both the Writing test and the Receptive Skills tests behind a computer. A few speaking tests on the day itself will be done on campus, but most of you will take this test digitally. A maximum of 11 people can participate in this on-campus assessment for the time being.

Procedure and results

During half a day, you are tested on the following skills:

• Receptive skills (80 minutes): This online computer adaptive test is designed to test grammar and vocabulary as well as a person’s understanding of meaning when communicating in English.
• Writing (75 minutes): your written proficiency is tested by means of writing an answer to a university-related question.
• Speaking (25 minutes) by appointment: during a brief conversation in pairs, your oral proficiency (and pronunciation) are tested in different settings (social talk, a conversation about a work-related topic, and a discussion). The oral assessment is done soon after your general testing session by means of a conversation. You make an appointment for this.

The results, indicated as a CEFR level, reflect your level in the different skills that have been tested. You will also receive advice about the possible courses suitable for your level and specific needs. To effectively function in English, managerial staff should have a C1 CEFR level. Depending on the test results, your supervisor will enable you to attend any necessary courses.

Costs

• € 150  (paid by your department)

Dates

• Dates and times for 2021 will be published as soon as possible. 

Before you choose an online-Assessment, make sure you have a stable internet connection, working webcam and headset or microphone. For recommended hardware requirements, see this TiU website.

Registration

Send the completed registration form to the Language Center (languagecenter@tilburguniversity.edu)

• Registration forms should be at the Language Center no later than ten workdays (online Assessment) and 5 workdays (on Campus Assessment) before the Assessment. 
• Registrations are processed in order of receipt.
• There is a maximum number of participants for each assessment.

For more information, please contact the Language Center secretariat (tel. 2508, A 15) or Linda Mous, Coordinator of the English section  (tel. 3125, A 15).

Interesting links

• Information about IELTS: International English Language Testing Systems
• Information about the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference): European Council Proficiency Guidelines

At Tilburg University campus you hear more English all the time. Administrative staff and secretaries should also be able to communicate with foreign students and employees. That is why the Language Center has specially developed an English assessment for secretaries.

Extra information: testing during COVID-19

At the moment, many people are working from home or may have difficulty coming to the university. That is why for the current moment, we are offering two kinds of Assessments: online and on campus.

Online assessment: The online assessment takes place in Canvas Conference. You will be added to a Canvas page with instructions. We do stick to a fixed time, even if the assessment is online, so you join the conference at the designated time. We will then give you instructions and you do your Writing assessment. You will also get instructions for the online receptive skills test. For this, we give you a time frame in which to take the test, though we recommend taking it during these 3 hours. Speaking tests are done digitally as well with a partner and an assessor with the Language Center. A maximum of 20 people can participate in an online assessment.

On-campus assessment: On-campus assessments take place in AZ413 (a Language Center computer room). We guarantee the 1.5-meter distance at all times. You take both the Writing test and the Receptive Skills tests behind a computer. A few speaking tests on the day itself will be done on campus, but most of you will take this test digitally. A maximum of 11 people can participate in this on-campus assessment for the time being.

The assessment and results

During half a day, you are tested on the following skills:

• Receptive skills (80 minutes): This online computer adaptive test is designed to test grammar and vocabulary as well as a person’s understanding of meaning when communicating in English.
• Writing (75 minutes): your written proficiency is tested by means of writing an answer to a university- or education-related question.
• Speaking (25 minutes) by appointment: during a brief conversation in pairs, your oral proficiency (and pronunciation) are tested in different settings (social talk, a conversation about a work-related topic, and a discussion). The oral assessment is done soon after your general testing session by means of a conversation. You make an appointment for this on the day of the test.

The results, indicated as a CEFR level, reflect your level in the different skills that have been tested. You will also receive advice about the possible courses suitable for your level and specific needs. To effectively function in English, secretaries should have a B2 CEFR level. For administrative staff, a B1-B2 CEFR level is recommended. Depending on the test results, your supervisor will enable you to attend any necessary courses.

Costs

• € 150  (paid by your department)

Dates

• Dates and times for 2021 will be published as soon as possible. 

Before you choose an online-Assessment, make sure you have a stable internet connection, working webcam and headset or microphone. For recommended hardware requirements, see this TiU website.

Registration

Send the completed registration form to the Language Center (languagecenter@tilburguniversity.edu)

• Registration forms should be at the Language Center no later than ten workdays (online Assessment) and 5 workdays (on Campus Assessment) before the Assessment. 
• Registrations are processed in order of receipt.
• There is a maximum number of participants for each assessment.

For more information, please contact the Language Center secretariat (tel. 2508, A 15) or Linda Mous, Coordinator of the English section (tel. 3125, A 15).

Interesting links

• Information about IELTS: International English Language Testing Systems
• Information about the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference): European Council Proficiency Guidelines

The Language Center has listed the most important questions about the assessment. Is your question not on this list? The Language Center employees will gladly help (ext. 2508).

Why an English assessment?

As determined in the strategic plan 2006-2009, Tilburg University wants to grow into an international campus where international students, lecturers, and researchers feel welcome. By doing so, Tilburg University hopes to increase its appeal on the international market and become and international university that can compete with other Dutch and foreign universities. At an international campus, it is important for every employee to have English skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing). The assessment has been developed to examine if every employee is at an appropriate level of English.

What level should I have?

Four different levels have been documented, related to the different types of positions, because not everybody needs to have the same proficiency level. We distinguish between academic staff, managerial staff, secretaries and administrative staff. Each group has a different assessment and different target level, yet even within these categories, there is variation between the levels. The Language Center has determined recommended levels. Together with your supervisor, you determine which level is necessary to do your work. This could therefore vary from person to person.

Does every employee have to take the assessment?

Every employee will be confronted with English students and colleagues to some extent. A lecturer might need to teach in English, a front desk officer might have to give students directions in English, and supporting staff might need to write memos or minutes in English. Because everyone, in their own way, will increasingly be confronted with English, all Tilburg University employees will have to take the assessment.

What happens if I am not at the recommended level of English?

Tilburg University offers its staff the opportunity to work on their English. The Language Center offers a number of possibilities for you to improve your English. You can choose a course or training that suits you best. There are individual tutorial sessions, but you can also take a course with a group of close colleagues. The Language Center website lists a number of possibilities, but your department can also ask to have a course developed specially for a specific group of employees. The basic principle is that every employee is given sufficient time and space to reach the appropriate level of English. Besides, it is also possible to take a course before you take the Assessment. In that case, the course will prepare you for the test.

What if I have no time for a course?

Because there are different course options, a course or training can always be combined with work. A course can, for example, be spread over a longer period of time in order to combine it with periods of high work pressure. Together with your supervisor, you determine how to combine the English course with your regular activities. Together you agree on what work you can do during the course, or if certain duties will be (temporarily) taken over or put on hold.

Is there a Dutch course for foreign employees?

There are a number of course options for foreign employees to work on their Dutch. Because Tilburg University's focus is on creating an international campus, foreign employees are not required to take any of these courses. However, they are stimulated to do so. Of course, foreign employees are also required to be sufficiently proficient in English.

How do I register for the assessment?

You can register for the Assessment on the Language Center website.

Can I keep up my level of English with a course after the assessment?

There are a number of possibilities to keep up your level of English. The most obvious way is in your everyday work. If English is sufficiently used there, keeping up your English comes naturally. You can also look for someone (for instance a colleague) with whom you speak English on a regular basis. Watching English programs on TV or Netflix with English subtitles or reading an English book are of course very useful. In addition, it is possible to take part in a number of English courses, but these options will not be free of charge.

What is the time investment for the assessment?

The assessments lasts approximately 3 hours on the assessment day itself. Afterwards, you meet up for a speaking assessment which lasts about 25 minutes. The total time investment is therefore a little over 3,5 hours.

No preparation is necessary for the assessment. The test is a level assessment, so it measures your current level of English without necessary preparation. However, you can decide to review some of the difficult grammar points beforehand.

The speaking test can also be done without preparation. However, academic staff are asked to prepare a very short part of a lecture or presentation about their research. This should not take more than 15 minutes in total.

CILS is short for ‘Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera’ and means ‘Certificate for Italian as a foreign language’.

The CILS certificates are official and internationally recognized certificates proving your knowledge and command of Italian. The certificates attest to your level of Italian as a non-native language and they are awared on behalf of the University of Siena. The Italian Ministry of Scientific Policy recognizes the certificates for admission to Italian universities. Both non-Italians and Italians abroad (children of Italian immigrants) as well as foreign immigrants in Italy can take this test.

It is possible to take this test at Tilburg University. No previous degree is required to take the exam.

More information about CILS    Contact Rita Sorce 

DELE stands for 'Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera' and means 'Diploma for Spanish as a foreign language'.

The DELE diplomas are the only official and internationally recognized diplomas that attest to the knowledge of Spanish. They are awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

You can take this exam at Tilburg University.

More information about DELE   

TOEFL stands for Test Of English as a Foreign Language. It is a generally accepted (American) test that you use to prove your current level of English. This test is accepted by most universities. This computer-based test (TOEFL iBT) is administered at the Tilburg University Language Center.

More information about the test, registration and test dates