Language examinations
The Institute of Tourist Guiding requires that Blue and Green Badge guides who wish to guide in a language other than their first must have their speaking skills assessed to determine their ability to communicate in the target language.
Candidates must be current members or student members of the ITG or members of the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association.
The ITG works with the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) as the approved provider of assessments of speaking skills. We follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and descriptions of all levels of speaking skills from basic to highly advanced can be found here.
What level is required to guide in another language when it is not your first language?
- To guide in English, you need to attain a level C2. This test is called CIOL ITG C2 Certified English Test.
- To guide in any other language, you need a level C1. This test is called the CIOL Language Level Assessment (LLA).
How does an assessment work?
- Both English and non-English tests are a one-to-one online video conversation with an expert human interviewer using Microsoft Teams. Tests are designed to capture your real-world speaking and interaction skills for formal evaluation by CIOL.
- The test does NOT assess your guiding vocabulary because your ability to communicate effectively and confidently is what matters. The assessor wants to see how you listen, engage and react in a realistic context. There are no recordings, no videos and no AI.
English Assessments
The CIOL ITG C2 Certified English Test is specifically for candidates whose English is not their first language.
The test takes 30 minutes.
The basic descriptors for level C2 are provided below.
What happens after the test?
Within 10 working days of taking your test, you will receive the following:
- All candidates: A score report based on the CEFR levels for spoken English.
- Successful C2-level candidates: A digital certificate confirming you CEFR level and that you meet the language requirements for English for ITG and the 'CIOL Professional English Speaker' designation, a digital certificate, and a permanent listing on the Certified English Register.
- C1-level candidates: Although not achieving the requirements for ITG, CIOL will still award the 'Professional English Speaker' designation, a digital certificate, and a permanent listing on the Certified English Register.
If you don’t achieve the required C2 level in English, the option to retake the test is normally available up to three times per calendar year.
Additional benefits of taking the CIOL assessment:
As an additional benefit, if you pass ITG C2 Certified English, or demonstrate C1 CEFR English, you will earn the CIOL 'Professional English Speaker' designation.
This means you can:
- Add CIOL 'Professional English Speaker' to your CV and LinkedIn profile.
- Have a permanent listing on the CIOL Certified English Register, giving independent confirmation of your high standard.
You will also have a direct route to CIOL Membership
- The 'Professional English Speaker' designation satisfies the language evidence needed for Associate Member (ACIL) or Member (MCIL), depending on experience (membership fees apply; a discount is available on your first year for having achieved the 'Professional English Speaker' designation).
Language Level Assessments (LLAs)
LLAs are for languages other than English.
The test takes 15 minutes and the required level is C1. Here are CEFR descriptors for C1.
Additional benefits of taking the CIOL assessment:
Candidates achieving C1 satisfy the language evidence needed for Associate Member (ACIL) or Member (MCIL), depending on experience (membership fees apply; a discount is available on your first year).
What happens after the test?
Within 10 working days of taking your test, you will receive the following:
- Written confirmation of your level with detailed breakdown of your skills including Accuracy, Interaction, Fluency and Coherence.
- A CIOL digital certificate confirming your level.
Watch this short video on the LLA speaking test here
For more information contact the ITG Language Committee here: langcom@itg.org.uk
How do I book a CIOL test?
Register your interest with the ITG Language Committee here langcom@itg.org.uk. You will receive information on the assessments, how to book a test and how to prepare for your assessment.
Tests are booked and paid for directly through CIOL for a slot Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (UK time).
All assessments cost £125
For English use this link: ITG C2 Certified English
For non-English use this link: Language Level Assessments
For non-English, you will be sent a short self-assessment questionnaire to fill in.
You will be contacted by a CIOL registered assessor to arrange a mutually convenient time for the assessment to take place.
Shortly before the test date, you will be sent a link to Microsoft Teams.
What you will need: You can use any computer or laptop with a camera, a tablet, or a smartphone with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
On examination day, ensure you are online in good time to join the meeting with your CIOL assessor.
Have a glass of water to hand.
You must show a valid photographic ID (e.g. ITG photocard, passport, driving licence, or national identity card) before you take the test.
Good Luck!
If you achieve the required level, you must send a copy of your digital certificate to the ITG Language Committee to allow you to guide in that language and for your profile to be updated.