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 Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) is the approved provider of assessments of speaking skills which 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 to be assessed at C1. This assessment is called the CIOL Language Level Assessment (LLA).
How does an assessment work?
- Both English and non-English assessments are a one-to-one online video conversation with an expert human interviewer/Assessment Associate using Microsoft Teams. Assessments are designed to capture your real-world speaking and interaction skills.
- The assessments do NOT assess in close detail 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. The assessments don’t use recordings, videos or AI they are conversation-based.
English Assessments
The CIOL ITG C2 Certified English Test is specifically for candidates whose English is not their first language.
The assessment takes 30 minutes.
The basic descriptors for C2 are provided below.
What happens after the assessment?
Within 10 working days of your assessment, 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 your 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 candidates: Although not achieving the Level C2 requirements for ITG, CIOL will still award the 'Professional English Speaker' designation, a digital certificate, and a permanent listing on the Certified English Register. C1 candidates will also receive feedback on their performance.
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).
If you don’t achieve the required C2 level in English, the option to pay for and retake the test is normally available up to three times per calendar year.
Language Level Assessments (LLAs)
LLAs are for languages other than English.
The assessment takes approximately 15 minutes and ITG requires applicants to achieve C1 level. Here are CEFR descriptors for C1.
Additional benefits of taking the CIOL LLA:
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 assessment, you will receive the following:
- Written confirmation of your language level with feedback from the Assessment Associate.
- A CIOL digital certificate confirming your level.
Watch this short video on the LLA speaking assessment 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.
Assessments 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: CIOL ITG C2 Certified English
For non-English use this link: CIOL 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 Assessment Associate to arrange a mutually convenient time for the assessment to take place.
Shortly before the assessment date, you will be sent a link to Microsoft Teams.
What you will need: You can use any computer or laptop with a camera or a tablet with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
On the day of the assessment, 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 before you take the test (e.g. passport, driving licence or national identity card. NOTE: ITG photo ID is not accepted)
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 on the ITG Register of Guides.