Certification exams for international citizens learning our language are enshrined in Polish law. The Polish Language Act states that the state has the right to verify how foreigners speak Polish. Certification of language proficiency is an important element of Polish immigration policy. Those who pass the exam have an opportunity to legalize their stay in Poland or pursue higher education in our country.

The complete Polish as a foreign language exam consists of 5 modules: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, grammatical correctness, writing and speaking.
 

To pass the B2 level exam, you need to score at least 50%. At the C1 level, the pass mark is even higher, at at least 60%. This requires high language proficiency from participants, but as the test takers' scores demonstrate, it's perfectly doable. This is encouraging, as it means we have international citizens who understand Polish and can therefore seamlessly integrate with Poland and Poles

– explains Dr Mateusz Gaze, Representative of the Dean of the Faculty of Philology for Certification Examinations in Polish as a Foreign Language

The only centre of its kind in the region

It's no coincidence that exams assessing foreigners' language skills are held in the Faculty of Philology building. The research and professional experience of linguists working at the Faculty of Philology at the University of Lodz allow for the efficient administration of exams, ensuring fair and reliable assessment of oral presentations and marking of papers created as part of the writing module.

The unit, located in a building on Pomorska Street, has been examining foreigners for over 10 years. Moreover, it is currently the only centre in the Lodz Voivodeship that can assess the competences of candidates at the C1 level. Exams are held four times a year, each time the State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language announces an examination session.

Typically, approximately 120 people take the exam at the University of Lodz. This is due to our limited space and staffing. Registration is extremely popular. Spaces fill up within minutes of registration opening, but we ensure equal access for absolutely everyone. This means that anyone who visits the University of Lodz website and completes the application form has a chance to register for the exam

– underlines Dr Iwona Dembowska-Wosik, Representative of the Dean of the Faculty of Philology for Certification Examinations in Polish as a Foreign Language

Legalization of stay, free studies and better job prospects

Passing the exam brings many benefits to international citizens living in Poland. Participants are aware that the certificate has a real impact on their future in our country.

I'm still learning Polish, so honestly, this was a great opportunity for me to test my skills. Passing the exam gives me a sense of security. Thanks to it, I can study in Poland for free and legalize my stay in the European Union

– explains Viktoriia Pshenychna, participant in one of the last editions of the exam. 

Viktor Tereshchenko draws attention to the formal and legal facilitations obtained in this way.

I've never had any problems communicating in Polish, but I have decided to test my current level of Polish. Thanks to passing this exam, I can apply for a long-term resident card in the European Union

– he emphasises. 

Those who have passed the exam agree that reaching the required score wasn't easy

The exam was a real challenge for me, especially the grammar and speaking sections, but I have passed, and now I can confidently continue my MA studies in Poland and look for a good job

– adds Tetiana Moroz, another person who has already passed the exam.

Will they stay in Poland longer?

The next examination session at the Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz, will be held in mid-November. One hundred and twenty-one people will take the exam.

This group includes mainly individuals from Ukraine, but we also have applications from Belarusians, people from India, and representatives of Arab countries, so they are truly citizens of all over the world. We hope that this time, too, this group will include people who will choose Poland as a place to stay for a short, sometimes longer time or even a lifetime

– concludes Dr Gaze.

 

Text: Promotion and Communication Office, Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz