PLIDA – Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri Certification
The Dante Alighieri Society of Washington is one of the few institutes in North America authorized to offer PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri – Dante Alighieri Italian Language Project) certification.
The Dante Alighieri Society of Washington in Seattle is an official examination center of the Società Dante Alighieri and provides its students and others the opportunity of taking PLIDA exams in order to obtain a PLIDA certificate.
The PLIDA Certificate
The PLIDA certificate is an official Diploma issued by the Società Dante Alighieri under an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Rome La Sapienza . It is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and by the Italian Ministry of University and Research as a qualification for the proficiency in the Italian language for foreigners.
The PLIDA certificates attest proficiency in Italian as a foreign language on a 6-level scale according to the parameters established by the Common European Framework for Languages (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2).
Why take the PLIDA exam?
Those who may wish to be certified include those who
- to obtain Italian citizenship (minimum PLIDA Certification level B1 as proof of proficiency)
- plan to study at Italian universities which accept a minimum PLIDA Certification level B2 as proof of proficiency (see application instructions).
- as an American high school or college student (may seek college credit)
- wish to be certified for obtaining an application for the Italian Permit of Stay in Italy (level A2 minimum)
- seek the examination as a capstone experience after taking their language courses.
Dates of Exam Administration
PLIDA certificate sessions are held each year according to the calendar set by the PLIDA office in Rome. In Seattle, PLIDA exams are usually offered in February, June and November. Check this page for updates or sign up on the Keep me Informed list below.
2024 Exams
PLIDA B1 – The exam consists of 4 sections (Ascoltare, Leggere, Scrivere, Parlare)
When: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: Precise time will be communicated to the candidate at least seven days prior to the date of the exam. Tentative time to begin the exam is 10:30 a.m. (PT)
Length: 140 minutes + waiting time during the Parlare section.
Where: Casa Italiana – Italian Cultural Center, 13028 1st Ave. S., Burien, WA 98148
Cost: The registration fee for the PLIDA B1 is $ 200.
Refund: No refunds are issued for the PLIDA exam if a candidate withdraws or does not show on the date of the exam. Refunds are issued if the exam is cancelled by the Dante Alighieri Society of Washington.
How: In person
Format: Ascoltare, Leggere, Scrivere & Parlare. The Parlare section begins with an introduction of the candidate followed by an interaction between the intervistatore/intervistatrice and the candidato/a (or in pairs) and a Monologue.
Evaluation: First evaluation in Seattle / Second evaluation for approval in Rome.
Sample exam: Samples of the exam are available here.
Registration: Registration for the November 13, 2024 Exam is now open. Register here
Registration Deadline: November 4, 2024.
Capacity: Check our website before you register to verify if we can still accept registrations.
Test result: 60 workdays from receipt of the recordings at the headquarters in Rome.
Urgent correction: TBD
Certificate: If a candidate successfully completes the exam, the candidate will receive a certificate with numerical scores.
Use of the Certificate: The certificate B1, among other uses, is valid for the purpose of applying for Italian Citizenship.
For more information and for inquiries about the possibility of enrolling for a different level of the exam, please contact the PLIDA Coordinator, Prof. Giuseppe Tassone at plida@danteseattle.org or call us at 206.289.0419. Thank you!
Keep me informed/Put Me on the Waiting list
Fees
PLIDA Level | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
Fee | TBD | TBD | 200 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Registration
Registration for the November 13, 2024 Exam is now open. Register here.
Location
PLIDA Exams are held at: Casa Italiana – Italian Cultural Center, 13028 1st Ave. S., Burien, WA 98148.
Further Information
For more information contact the PLIDA Coordinator Prof. Giuseppe Tassone
Duration of the Exam
Ascoltare | Leggere | Parlare | Scrivere | TOTALE | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plida A1 | 20' | 30' | 10' | 40' | max 100 minuti |
Plida A2 | 25' | 40' | 15' | 40' | max 120 minuti |
Plida B1 | 40' | 40' | 15' | 60' | max 145 minuti |
Plida B2 | 50' | 70' | 15' | 60' | max 195 minuti |
Plida C1 | 60' | 100' | 15' | 90' | max 265 minuti |
Plida C2 | 40' | 45' | 20' | 135' | max 240 minuti |
Definition of Level A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2
The Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions which can be divided into six levels:
- Basic Speaker
- A1 Beginner
- A2 Elementary
- Independent Speaker
- B1 Intermediate
- B2 Upper intermediate
- Proficient Speaker
- C1 Advanced
- C2 Mastery or proficiency
The Common European Framework describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level:
Preparati agli esami PLIDA to download sample exams to practice for the test.
For additional resources, check out Alma Edizioni Quaderni del PLIDA publications.