Gaelteanga

TiLG Exams

Would you like a new challenge in your life? If so, why not undertake a TiLG oral exam and gain a certificate? You can use the self-access courses or the live online classes available from Gaelteanga to prepare for the oral and take the exam from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. Exams are available at six levels at the moment but will eventually be available at 10 levels.

Levels	Corresponding online classes	Corresponding self-study courses	TiLG exams
Beginners / A1	Term 1 (10 weeks)	Step 1	Step 1 Book Now
	Term 2 (10 weeks)	Step 2	Step 2 Book Now
	Term 3 (10 weeks)	Step 3	Step 3 Book Now
Elementary / A2	Term 1 (10 weeks)	Step 4	Step 4 Book Now
	Term 2 (10 weeks)	Step 5	Step 5 Book Now
	Term 3 (10 weeks)	Step 6	Step 6 Book Now
Lower Intermediate / B1 (from 2024)	Term 1 (15 weeks)	Step 7	Step 7
Lower Intermediate / B1 (from 2024)	Term 2 (15 weeks)	Step 8	Step 8
Upper Intermediate / B2 (from 2024)	Term 1 (15 weeks)	Step 9	Step 9
Lower Intermediate / B1 (from 2024)	Term 2 (15 weeks)	Step 10	Step 10

About TILG

1. TiLG, which stands for Teastas i Labhairt na Gaeilge (Certificate in Spoken Irish), is a ten-step system of learning and certification for adult learners of Irish.

2. TiLG follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from level A1 to level B2. For more information about the how the various steps in TiLG correspond to the CEFR levels, see the above table.

3. On completing a self-study course or a full term of live online classes, learners can choose to undertake an oral exam or they can progress to the next course without taking an exam.

4. Each TiLG exam costs €99.

5. The pass mark for the exams is 50%.

6. The following is the TiLG classification of results:

Classification	Percentage
Pass	50 - 59%
Pass with merit	60 - 69%
Pass with distinction	70% and over

7. Successful candidates are awarded a TiLG step certificate at the appropriate level.

8. There is no limit to the number of times a candidate who fails an exam redo it.

9. On successfully completing the various steps in a level (see above table), the candidates are awarded a Level A1, A2, B1 or B2 certificate.

In the exam

1. The TiLG oral exams will be held on Zoom and last approximately 12/15 minutes (depending on the step/level of exam). Each exam is recorded.

2. The exam will be conducted by two examiners. One of the examiners will ask the questions and the other will mark the exam.

3. The candidate will be required to have his or her camera on for the duration of the exam.

4. The exam will be conducted in Irish.

5. During the test, the examiners will be able to view the candidate’s desktop at any time to ensure that he/she is not viewing any course material.

6. Each candidate will be given ten minutes to prepare for parts 3 and 4 of the oral (see details below).

The structure of the exam (steps 1–6)

Part 1 (5 marks)

1 or 2 minutes, depending on the step/level of exam

Greeting and introductory conversation.

Part 2 (20 marks)

5–8 minutes, depending on the step/level of exam

The candidate will be asked a series of questions, such as the following:

Cé as tú? (Where are you from?)

Cén áit a bhfuil tú i do chónaí anois? (Where do you live now?)

Cén caitheamh aimsire atá agat? (What’s you pastime?)

The questions will be based on those found in the self-study course learners will study in preparation for the oral exam.

Part 3 (15 marks)

2–3 minutes, depending on the step/level of exam

Role-play activity. An English version of one of the conversations to be found in the self-study course will be given to the candidate ten minutes before the start of the oral test. He or she will have an opportunity to practise the conversation but will not be permitted to consult any materials or sources during that time. He or she will have to have that conversation in Irish with one of the examiners during the oral test. The role that will be given to the candidate will be the one preceded by the word ‘Say’ in the ‘Your turn!’ exercises.

Part 4 (10 marks)

2 minutes

A list of five scenarios will be given to the candidate ten minutes before the start of the oral test. He or she will have an opportunity to study these (along with the role play) but will not be permitted to consult any materials or sources during that time. In the oral test, the candidate will be required to provide the appropriate sentence for each scenario.

Example:
Your friend doesn’t look well and you want to find out what’s wrong with her.
Answer: Cad atá ort?