"Multilingualism is a recognized core value and is at the basis of a United Nations culture of inclusion and respect for cultural diversity. Languages are the natural enablers for integrating diversity by challenging stereotypes or assumptions, by giving the context to other points of view, mindsets, and beliefs."
UN Secretariat Learning Strategy 2021-2025
Preparation Courses for the Language Proficiency Examination
LPE Preparation courses are available in the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The online courses are self-paced and designed to orient exam candidates and other interested staff to prepare for the exam.
The 2024 LPE Preparation Courses will be available in CDOTS Campus and open to everyone in the UN system, with no eligibility restrictions.
For more information about the preparation courses please watch this short video.
Information about the exam administration can be found here.
The annual Language Proficiency Examination is administered online in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, and is accessible from anywhere in the world. The exam tests listening and reading comprehension, spoken and written production and interaction at the UN Level III - Advanced Language Competence. For more on the timeline, application process and exam administration, please go to Language Proficiency Examination.
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English |
French |
Russian |
Spanish |
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Listening Comprehension (mp3) |
Listening Comprehension (mp3) |
Listening Comprehension (mp3) |
Listening Comprehension (mp3) |
* Practice exams in Arabic and Chinese in preparation.
2023 UN Level I Pilot Examination in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian
All Secretariat staff have the opportunity to be among the first to participate in a new language assessment opportunity, the UN I Examination Pilot.
Offered this fall in four languages — Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian — the UN I exam assesses basic proficiency and is an opportunity to earn a certificate of achievement at UN Level I – Basic Language Competence, according to the UN Language Framework.
The UN Level I Examination Pilot in 2023 is offered by the Language and Communications Training Unit (New York) and the Language Training Programme (Geneva), and with the generous support of l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
Exams are tentatively scheduled for 10-11 October and the registration window is now open. Availability is limited and applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.
To be eligible for the exam, applicants must:
- Be a UN Secretariat staff member, regardless of duty station, on the date of the exam. All other personnel are not eligible for the 2023 UN I pilot edition, even if they are actively enrolled in language courses.
- Have completed at least 150 hours of study in their selected language, either at a UN Language Programme or an equivalent course of study.
Active participation in language courses is not a requirement to apply for the 2023 UN I Examination Pilot.
Applications for the exam pilot are available on Inspira under the following LMS codes:
- Arabic UN Level I Exam Pilot (2023), LMS-7397
- Chinese UN Level I Exam Pilot (2023), LMS-7396
- French UN Level I Exam Pilot (2023), LMS-7399
- Russian UN Level I Exam Pilot (2023), LMS-7398
Registered applicants will receive regular updates and tips to prepare for the exam.
Questions regarding the 2023 UN I Examination Pilot can be sent to languageexampilot@un.org.
The CDOTS Language and Communications Training Unit at UNHQ partners with the Language Training Programme at UNOG to advance in the harmonization of language learning and assessment across the Secretariat.
In 2021-2022, a project to create exam specifications and marking schemes for the UN I-Basic and UN II-Intermediate levels was completed. The exams constructed in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish were piloted and updated following feedback; they will be gradually made available as practice exams.
UN I & UN II Language Exam Pilot Report
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English |
French |
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Listening Comprehension (mp3) |
Listening Comprehension (m4a) |
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Listening Comprehension (mp3) Spoken Interaction (mp3) |
Listening Comprehension (mp3) |
Activities and Events
The CDOTS Language and Communications Training Unit holds open activities and events throughout the year, online and in-person at the United Nations Learning Centre.
Join us in embracing multilingualism!
Mother Language Day — 21 February, 12:00-2:00 PM (EST). In-house event.
Foundations of Language Assessment: An Introduction to the Whys, Whats, and Hows — 24 February, 8:30-11:30 AM (EST). Please see the webinar slides and supplementary dossier for more information.
French Language Day
- 20 March, 9:30-10:30 AM (EST)
Learn to introduce yourself: short learning sequence followed by a practice session. Online event: no registration required. Please click here to attend (for non-Francophones).
Broaden your knowledge of the Francophone world: interactive quiz on Francophone culture followed by a tour of Francophone idiomatic expressions! Online event: no registration required.
- 21 March, 9:00-10:00 AM (EST)
Coup de pouce au français: les niveaux ONU illustrés. One-hour presentation (including time for questions and answers) of samples of oral and written French that illustrate what a language user can produce in speaking and writing at the UN Level I, UN Level II and UN Level III, as defined by the UN Language Framework. Presentation conducted in UN Level I French, ppt slides in both English and French. Online event: no registration required.
Chinese Language Day
- 20 April, 9:00-10:00 AM (EST)
Uncovering the Fascinating: A Journey into Chinese Language and Culture. Discover some unique and surprising aspects of Chinese language and culture. Online event: no registration required.
Spanish Language Day
- 24 April, 9:00-10:00 AM (EST)
Hablar de gustos y tiempo libre. Learn how to express likes and dislikes, and how to make suggestions about free time activities. Online event: no registration required.
English Language Day
- 25 April, 9:00-11:00 AM (EST)
Email Etiquette: Effective Emailing and Workplace Communication. Acquire best practices for writing effective emails and successfully framing requests, including such components as writing compelling subject lines, organizing messages effectively, and writing with the appropriate tone/style and register in the UN context. Please see participants resources for more information.
- 25 April, 12:00-1:00 PM (EST)
Presenting Powerfully: English Language & Communication for Impactful Public Speaking. Discover the high-powered English language strategies and intercultural techniques that will ignite confidence and influence in your meetings and presentations designed to help you motivate others to action and build connections in the global community. Please see participants resources for more information.
Russian Language Day — 9 June, 9:00-10:00 AM (EST)
Intro to Russian. Learn the basics of reading in Russian and interesting facts about Russian culture. Online event: no registration required.
How we speak matters: Explore How Language Shapes Our World
Language unlocks the potential to promote inclusion. But have you ever wondered why inclusive language matters, how it entered our lives and how to use it effectively? Join the Language and Communications Training Unit for two special training webinars exploring the world of linguistic diversity and inclusive language in French and English.
- Webinar in French: 15 November, 9:00-10:30 AM (EST) — Please see the webinar slides for more information.
- Webinar in English: 29 November, 9:00-10:30 AM (EST) — Please see the webinar slides for more information.
Arabic Language Day — 18 December
Self-study course launch: First Contact with Arabic. Explore the unique aspects and basic key concepts of the Arabic language. Designed for learners with no previous knowledge of Arabic, this 4-hour self-paced course is a light first step towards a more systematic study of the language. Fill out this form to register.