Online Linguistic Support (OLS)
Online Language Support (OLS)
If you will be studying through French, German, Italian, or Spanish, then you should complete a language assessment using this language tool provided by the European Commission. The “placement test” in your target language will give you an indication of your current language skills and then you can avail of free online language courses. Such courses are recommended as a linguistic preparation for your study visit abroad. For more information, see https://academy.europa.eu/.
The placement test will consist of about 50 questions, and it will evaluate grammar, vocabulary, key communicative phrases, listening and reading comprehensions. You should take this test on your own, not in collaboration/consultation with fellow students or friends, and without recourse to any dictionaries or online language aids. “Cheating” produces a false picture of your ability. Think of the test as a way for you to assess your own level of competence in the language. The result is intended to be solely for your information, although your host university might ask for it too.
How do I take the language test?
- Go to https://academy.europa.eu/.
- You will need to create an account, so click on “Sign Up or Log In”. You’ll provide your e-mail address and will receive a message asking you to create a password. The registration process may be a bit slow.
- Now log in, and where you see “What do you want to learn today?”, type in your target language – for example, type “French”, then click on “French Placement Test”.
- It’s advisable to ensure that you have a strong Wi-Fi signal before you start the test. The whole thing might hang if the signal becomes shaky, but if you just sit tight and wait (don’t refresh the page), you should be able to resume the test where you stopped.
- You’ll be presented with a series of about 50 questions, a mixture of text and audio, increasing in difficulty as you progress.
- When you get to the end, you can review the correct answers, before clicking the Finish button below the numbered grid, and you will be presented with your result according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Take a screenshot of your result, showing your name and the grade.
Your OLS placement test result cannot be used to prevent you taking part in Erasmus+, but if you don’t do well in the test, it might be an indication that you need to work on your language skills to bring them up to the recommended level. There are courses available on aforementioned EU Academy website which may help you prepare for Erasmus+.