CELI 1 (A2)

It certifies elementary command of Italian at CEFR level A2: you can understand short, simple texts and announcements, write brief messages and descriptions, follow slow, clear conversations on familiar topics, and take part in simple everyday exchanges. It is not a qualification to study or work professionally in Italian.

There are four separate parts: reading comprehension, written production, listening comprehension and oral production. The oral part is a short interview with two examiners, usually starting with personal information and simple questions about your daily life, then moving to a picture or brief prompt you discuss with them.

The official body sets the current structure and timing for each session, so check the Università per Stranieri di Perugia website rather than relying on second-hand figures. Practise with short tasks - a few minutes per reading or listening exercise - so you are not surprised by the pace on the day.

A2 is achievable after roughly a year of regular study, but it is not trivial. The main demands are listening at natural but clear speed, producing written Italian with correct verb forms, and speaking without freezing. Learners who only read and never listen or speak usually find the listening and oral parts hardest.

Underdeveloped listening and speaking. Many candidates can decode written Italian but have never heard connected speech, so short dialogues blur together. Others write accurate sentences but cannot answer a simple question aloud. Balance your study: listen to short dialogues daily and speak aloud, even alone, from the first month.

Start with present-tense verbs, articles, prepositions and everyday vocabulary. Add passato prossimo and basic future forms. Then practise the exam task types: matching notices to situations, short multiple-choice listening, writing a brief message or postcard, and answering personal questions aloud. Grammar serves the tasks, not the reverse.

Retake rules, session dates and any waiting periods are set by the awarding institution and can change. Consult the Università per Stranieri di Perugia website for the current regulations before planning a second attempt, and ask which sections, if any, can be carried over.

Fees and the passing threshold are published by the official body for each session and are not fixed here. Check the Università per Stranieri di Perugia site for current fees, deadlines and the score required, and register early because places and deadlines can be strict.

Simulate the real conditions: do one listening task without pausing, write a short message in a set time, and record yourself answering five personal questions. Review your errors rather than new grammar. Read signs, menus and short news items daily, and rehearse introductions, your family, your work and your routine until they feel automatic.

CELI Impatto is a name used for the A2-level CELI certificate, so candidates often treat the two as the same credential. Confirm the current level naming and exam content directly with the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, since the certificate family has been reorganised over time.