The UN Secretariat has a new multilingualism ally to describe language skills: the United Nations Language Framework.

 

The UN Language Framework: 

  • breaks down language skills into four levels; this applies equally to all six official languages;
  • is unique to the multicultural context of the United Nations.​​​

 

​

The courses offered by the Language and Communications Unit (LCTU) align to the UN Language Framework standards. Therefore, the courses build on top of each other, creating a learning sequence to achieve the levels UN I-Basic, UN II-Intermediate or UN III-Advanced. 
The LCTU placement test corresponds to the course offering and ensures assigning participants to the most adequate course(s) for group homogeneity and effective learning.

 

What do I need to know about the LCTU placement tests? 

Placement tests are available year-round.

Verify your eligibility. Only eligible participants are allowed to take placement tests.

The LCTU placement tests take approximately 1.5 hours.  

Placement test results are valid for 9 months (you can retake the placement test to reassess your language proficiency). Consult Dates for the Upcoming Terms (yearly calendar) when planning for your placement test.

Seat availability for certain courses is limited, and they may be already full during the first weeks of the registration period. Plan to register and take the placement test as soon as possible to secure a seat in your preferred course.

 

How do I register for the LCTU placement test? 

Verify your eligibility.

UN Secretariat staff members, staff from UNICEF, UNOPS, UNDP, and UN Women:  

  • If you have an account to access CDOTS-Campus, search and self-enroll for the "Arabic / Chinese / French / Russian / Spanish placement test."
  • If you don’t have an account, 1) create an account and 2) self-enroll for the "Arabic / Chinese / French / Russian / Spanish placement test."

Delegates and Permanent Mission Personnel; Staff from UNFPA and UNCDF; Spouses/partners, retirees, and associated press; UN Volunteers at the UN Secretariat

  • If you have completed a previous language course in CDOTS-Campus, search and self-enroll for the "Arabic / Chinese / French / Russian / Spanish placement test."
  • If you are new to language courses, please use Placement Test Form to request an account. You will use the account to self-enroll for "Arabic / Chinese / French / Russian / Spanish placement test" and for your future language courses.

 

Language

Location

Arabic

Search for "Arabic placement test" in cdots-campus

Chinese

Search for "Chinese placement test" in cdots-campus

English

Under construction / No placement test required
French Search for "French placement test" in cdots-campus
Russian Search for "Russian placement test" in cdots-campus

Spanish

Search for "Spanish placement test" in cdots-campus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information or assistance, please use the Placement Test Form.

 

Overview of LCTU Courses

Language acquisition and specialized courses are currently being aligned to the United Nations Language Framework standards.

Note that various language acquisition courses (30 hours, 10-week course) are required -at a minimum- to complete each UN Level of Language Competence: UN I, Basic; UN II, Intermediate; UN III, Advanced.