Placement test
20 tasks to find the right course: the ForumLingua placement test
How the ForumLingua online language placement test works: 20 tasks, three short listening samples, two image questions and an A1-C1 result.
People who have learned a language before often know the uncertainty: A2 seems plausible, perhaps B1 as well, but which course actually fits? We therefore built a short check that does not feel like an exam and quickly leads to useful initial guidance.
Each test contains 20 tasks, three short listening samples and two image questions. In about 8-12 minutes it produces a written indication from A1 to C1, shown immediately and also sent by email.
At a glance
- ✓ Placement tests are available for all ten languages taught by ForumLingua.
- ✓ Twenty tasks combine vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and communicative situations.
- ✓ Three short listening samples and two image questions bring the test closer to real language use.
- ✓ The result helps with course selection; it is not an official language certificate.
Why a placement test is genuinely useful
Starting too low costs time and motivation. Starting too high makes it difficult to participate and speak. An initial indication reduces both risks before choosing a group, intensive course or private lessons.
The test does not need to prove everything you know. It should show us the range in which personal advice should continue and which course level to examine first.
How the 20 tasks are structured
The questions begin with simple situations and gradually become more demanding. They cover vocabulary, grammar, short dialogues, reading and language choices from everyday or professional situations.
Every language has its own content. The Italian or German test is not a mechanical translation of the English one: examples, dialogues and difficulties have to work naturally in the language being tested.
Listening and images without turning it into an exam
Three short listening samples check whether a spoken situation is understood. They are deliberately brief: the test is meant to create interest and offer direction, not simulate a long official examination.
Two image questions connect language with recognisable situations. The pictures are not decoration; they contain information needed to choose the suitable answer.
What the A1-C1 result means
Answers are assessed by level. The result considers the progression from basic to more complex tasks, so a few difficult answers guessed correctly are not enough to jump straight to a high level.
The compact test ends at C1. C2 requires broad and nuanced command of a language that we do not want to assign on the basis of a small number of online tasks.
What the test cannot measure completely
Free speaking, pronunciation and the ability to react in a real conversation may differ from the written result. Confidence when writing longer texts also requires a more detailed assessment.
The result is therefore a non-binding initial indication. Before placing someone in a group, we can confirm the level personally, especially near the boundary between two levels.
From the result to the right course
The level appears immediately after completion. Name and email are requested only after the tasks; phone number and preferred course format remain optional. A summary and initial course recommendation also arrive by email.
Tests are available for English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish, Arabic and Russian. The next step can therefore lead directly to the relevant language and course format.
Which language course fits?
The short language check gives an initial indication from A1 to C1. You see the result immediately and also receive it by email.
Online placement testQuestions and answers
Is the ForumLingua placement test free?
Yes. The online test is free and provides initial guidance for choosing a course.
How long does the test take?
Usually about 8-12 minutes for 20 tasks, including three short listening samples and two image questions.
Is the result a language certificate?
No. It is a non-binding written indication from A1 to C1, not an official examination or certificate.
Do I have to enter my details before starting?
No. Name and email are requested only at the end, once the result is ready.