ils-basel

TELC EXAMS IN BASEL

TELC exams German - Certify your language skills with ILS Basel

Would you like to demonstrate your German language skills with an internationally recognized certificate? Then the telc German Language Certificate is just right for you! The telc German Language Certificates, available at all proficiency levels from A1 to C2, are recognized throughout Europe and internationally by employers, foreigner registration offices, immigration authorities, universities, colleges, and schools.

Based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), they thus represent a professionally sound, standardized, and legally valid certification of proficiency—whether for professional purposes, higher education, or naturalization.

RATINGS

Experiences of our participants

Read how our participants achieve their language goals and get off to a successful start!

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Nursen Benli's profile picture
Nursen Benli
February 19, 2026
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I took a FIDE test today. I was very nervous, but I was really happy to see the kind and warm faces there that helped me feel more at ease. The receptionist was also very informative and helpful.
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Ariel Gioino Robman's profile picture
Ariel Gioino Robman
February 4, 2026
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A very good experience. I was there for an exam; the staff are friendly and well-organized.
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Natalia Kravchenko's profile picture
Natalia Kravchenko
January 11, 2026
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November 2024. I took the TELC exam at ILS Basel and was very satisfied. The exam was well organized, the atmosphere was calm and friendly, and the staff was professional and attentive. Everything went smoothly and pleasantly, and I came away with nothing but positive impressions.
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Ines Macic's profile picture
Ines Macic
October 20, 2025
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Thanks to ILS Basel , I can now write my review in German! I first took the A2 course here, then the B1 and B2 courses. 🎉 I’d especially like to mention my teacher, Chris Stettler, who taught me in both the B1 and B2 courses. 🌺 She always encouraged me to speak up, improve my German, and not be afraid to try new things. Chris is a wonderful teacher—friendly, patient, positive, very knowledgeable, and extremely dedicated. She answers every question thoroughly, explains everything in great depth, and takes plenty of time for each student. Her motivation and enthusiasm for learning German are contagious, and you can tell right away how much she cares about her students. Anyone who has the chance to learn from her can consider themselves truly lucky! 🪷🌸🌺 I also often attended the conversation classes on Fridays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Chris is always exceptionally well-prepared, brings up interesting topics, and makes sure the classes are fun. 🌞🌻🗣️ You meet nice people, can make new international friends, and learn a lot in the process. 🌎 ILS Basel is very well organized. The classrooms are clean and nice, and the staff in the office is very friendly. 🤗🇨🇭 I plan to take the TELC B2 exam here as well. Many thanks to the entire ILS team, my first teacher Nathalie (A2—my review in English), and my other teacher Chris Stettler! ♥️
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László Udvardi's profile picture
László Udvardi
August 14, 2025
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The TELC exam was an exciting and positive experience for me. Everything was very well organized, precise, and ran smoothly. The exam proctors and the entire staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I felt comfortable throughout the entire process and can wholeheartedly recommend the exam center.
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Mariella Cersosimo's profile picture
Mariella Cersosimo
July 12, 2025
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I recommend improving the audio quality during the listening test, perhaps by using a device other than a laptop.
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TEST DATES & PRICES

Prices, exam dates & Registration

Here you will find all the important information about the individual TELC exam levels including exam dates, duration and fees.

Exams are always held on Tuesdays and Saturdays

SPACE

Discover our exam rooms!

Discover our modern exam rooms - ideal for your exam!

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IMPORTANT:

The evaluation of your telc exam takes approximately 2-3 weeks for digital exams and approximately 6-8 weeks for paper-based exams. Please note that digital exams are conducted at our exam center. We will then send you the certificate or exam results by email.

MORE INFO

More about our Telc exams in Basel

Find out more about our Telc exams in Basel!

A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C1 Vocational, C1 University, C2, Nursing, Junior & School

The number of places on the exams is limited. Please register early using the registration form or directly with us on site.
The respective registration deadline can be found in the table "Examination dates & registration deadlines".
You can register retrospectively up to 16 days before the exam Register. However, this will incur a late registration fee of CHF 30.

Please note that the examination fees must be paid in full by the day of the examination at the latest. Otherwise the participant will be excluded from the examination.

The examination fee will be waived or refunded in the event of deregistration before the end of the registration and deregistration period, although a processing fee of CHF 30 will be charged. Deregistration can only be made by e-mail. Examination fees will be charged in full in the event of deregistration after this deadline.

A1, A2, B1, B2: Paper-based & Digital
C1 & C2:Paper-based only
C1 Vocational: Paper-based only
C1 University:Digitalonly

Prepare for the telc exam at the ILS: Attend a telc preparation course in private or group lessons at the ILS-Basel!

The Telc certificate is equivalent to the renowned Goethe certificate. Both Telc and the prestigious Goethe-Institut hold German examinations and issue high-quality certificates. The Telc certificate is awarded by the renowned Telc GmbH, while the Goethe certificate is issued directly by the Goethe-Institut.

Both certificates prove the language level of the candidates and gain worldwide recognition. Regardless of whether one obtains the Telc or the Goethe certificate, one receives a significant certificate of German language proficiency.

TELC EXAMS IN BASEL

Language levels for Telc exams in Basel

Find out more about Telc exams at all language levels!

At level A1 you learn to communicate in a very simple way about concrete needs, such as living, shopping, introducing yourself, eating and drinking. You use some very simple grammatical structures.

telc exam A1, written: 65 min. consists of listening (20 min.) / reading and writing (45 min.)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (no preparation time, in groups of 4)

At A2 level you learn to communicate in a simple way in typical everyday situations, to have short conversations and to use simple grammatical structures correctly.

telc exam A2, written: 70 min. consists of listening (20 min.) / reading and writing (50 min.)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (no preparation time, in pairs)

At B1 level you learn to communicate in a simple and coherent way in everyday life, when traveling and in your own area of interest, to report on experiences, to describe goals and to justify opinions.

telc exam B1, written: 2h and 30 min. (reading comprehension 90 min., listening comprehension 30 min., written expression 30 min.)

Oral presentation: 20 minutes (20 minutes of preparation time, in groups of 2–3)

At B2 level, you can express yourself clearly and in detail, and argue and negotiate successfully. You have a large vocabulary in your own field and on most general topics. You have a fairly good command of grammar.

telc exam B2, written: 2h and 35 min. (reading comprehension 90 min., listening comprehension 20 min., written expression 30 min.)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (20 minutes of preparation time, in groups of two)

At level C1, you can express yourself spontaneously and fluently. You are familiar with colloquial expressions.

telc exam C1, written: 3h and 40 min. (reading comprehension 90 min., break 20 min., listening comprehension 40 min., written expression 70 min.)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (20 minutes of preparation time, in groups of two)

At level C1 University, you can express yourself clearly, coherently, and precisely, especially in an academic environment. You understand demanding texts relevant to your studies and can confidently present complex content in writing and orally.

telc examination C1 Hochschule, written: 3 hours and 40 minutes (reading comprehension and language components 90 minutes, listening comprehension 40 minutes, written expression 70 minutes)

telc examination C1 University, oral: 16 to 24 min.

At level C2, you can express yourself almost like a native speaker and understand and reproduce very complex content with confidence. Your language use is precise, flexible, and stylistically appropriate.

telc exam C2, written: 4 hours and 10 minutes (reading comprehension 120 minutes, listening comprehension 40 minutes, written expression 90 minutes)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (20 minutes of preparation time, in groups of two)

The telc Nursing exam certifies German language proficiency for everyday professional practice in the nursing field. The exam assesses both general language skills and nursing-specific communication situations, such as those encountered in daily work at nursing facilities and when interacting with patients.

telc Nursing Exam, written section: 1 hour and 55 minutes (reading comprehension and language structures: 60 minutes; listening comprehension: 25 minutes; written expression: 30 minutes)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (20 minutes of preparation time, in groups of two)

The telc Junior exam is designed for Kids and Teens assesses age-appropriate language skills in typical everyday and school situations. The focus is on simple communication situations, understanding short texts and audio recordings, and oral communication.

telc Junior Exam, written section : approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes

Oral section: 20 minutes (no preparation time, in groups of two)

The telc School Exam is designed for students and assesses their German language skills in school and everyday situations. It evaluates their comprehension of texts and audio recordings, as well as their ability to express themselves clearly and appropriately in writing and speaking.

telc School Exam, written section: 2 hours and 20 minutes (reading comprehension and language structures: 90 minutes; listening comprehension: approx. 30 minutes; writing: 30 minutes)

Oral exam: 20 minutes (20 minutes of preparation time, in groups of two)

ALTERNATIVES

Alternatives to Telc: fide-Test ÖSD exams & SDS exams

In addition to Telc, there are other recognized ways to prove your German language skills. The fide-Test officially accepted in Switzerland for residence permits and naturalization. The Swiss Digital Language Test (SDS) is a state-recognized German test (A1–B2) and is accepted in Switzerland for residence permits, naturalization, and other official procedures. The ÖSD exams are internationally recognized language certificates, especially in Austria and many other countries.

fide-Test at the ILS

ÖSD exams at the ILS

SDS examinations at ILS

ILS-FILIALS

ILS Telc examination centers

Our Telc exams take place at several locations. Choose the right center near you and secure your exam date!