There are two main certifications of Portuguese language proficiency. One awarded by CAPLE - Centre for Evaluation of Portuguese Language (Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira) in Portugal and one by the Brazilian authorities, the CELPE-BRAS. The CELPE-BRAS is the only Portuguese as a foreign language proficiency test recognised by the Brazilian Ministry of Education.
European Portuguese
The official tests and certificates for Portuguese language are delivered and accredited by a tri-partite collaboration in Portugal between the Department for Education, the University of Lisbon and the Camões Institute which administers the exam procedures on behalf of the Foreign office.
There are five diplomas of Portuguese as a Foreign Language, each of them representing a different level of proficiency:
- CIPLE – Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira
- DEPLE – Diploma Elementar de Português Língua Estrangeira
- DIPLE – Diploma Intermédio de Português Língua Estrangeira
- DAPLE – Diploma Avançado de Português Língua Estrangeira
- DUPLE – Diploma Universitário de Português Língua Estrangeira
Just like the tests of French and Spanish you do not get a score. The highest level of diplomas you obtain will determine your proficiency level. If you are applying to study in Portugal or in other Portuguese-speaking countries, you are most likely to require a DAPLE or DUPLE. These levels are also within the CEFRL so check the table below to get an idea of the “equivalences” in other languages.
You will be tested in the main four linguistic skills which are divided into:
- Reading
- Written expression
- Syntaxic competence
- Oral comprehension
- Oral expression
The DIPLE takes three hours 35 minutes while the DAPLE exam lasts four hours 30 minutes. Exams are hosted three times a year in May, July and November.
You can find out more about these tests on the CAPLE website.
Brazilian Portuguese
CELPE-Bras (Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros or Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners) is the official certificate of proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese developed and awarded by the Brazilian Ministry of Education. In Brazil, the certificate is mandatory when applying for programs of study in Brazilian Universities. Private sector organisations in Brazil also recognise it.
Unlike the CAPLE system (see above), the test is more aligned with the IELTS or TOEFL system in that only one exam is taken and it determines your proficiency level: intermediate, upper intermediate, advanced, and upper advanced. The exam consists of two parts:
- A written test which takes three hours
- Two exercises which combine listening (audio or video) and written skills
- Two exercises which combine reading and written skills
- A 20-minute oral evaluation
You can find more information on the Celpe-Bras.
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