Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL)
The Russian State System for Certification of Proficiency in Russian as a Foreign Language establishes the following Russian language proficiency levels:
- Basic level (including Elementary sublevel);
- Level 1;
- Level 2;
- Level 3;
- Level 4.
The Russian state multilevel testing system is part of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). TORFL levels comparison with the CEFR levels:
Russian State Multilevel Testing System |
Common European Framework |
Level 4 (TORFL-4) |
C 2 |
Level 3 (TORFL-3) |
C 1 |
Level 2 (TORFL-2) |
B 2 |
Level 1 (TORFL-1) |
B 1 |
Basic level (BLT) |
A 2 |
Elementary level (ELT) |
A 1 |
TORFL Types and Levels:
Test: BLT (Basic Level Test)
Level description: Confirms basic communication skills sufficient for communication with native speakers in a limited number of predictable social, cultural and academic situations. The set of linguistic tools is strictly limited by the communication needs of this level.
Test: TORFL-1 (Level 1 Test on Russian as a foreign language)
Level description: Confirms the sufficient level of communication skills in everyday social and cultural situations. This level is adequate for communication in the Russian-speaking community (work, study, leisure).
Additional information: Mandatory to enter Russian universities.
Test: TORFL-2 (Level 2 Test on Russian as a foreign language)
Level description: Confirms the intermediate level of communication skills in all communication situations. Enables the speaker to carry out professional activities in Russian as a professional in humanities, natural sciences, engineering and technology.
Additional information: Mandatory to obtain the Bachelor and Master degrees (except for Philology major) from Russian universities.
Test: TORFL-3 (Level 3 Test on Russian as a foreign language)
Level description: Confirms the advanced level of communication skills in all communication situations. Enables the speaker to carry out professional activities in Russian as a philologist, translator, editor, journalist, diplomat, manager as part of Russian-speaking staff.
Additional information: Mandatory to obtain the Bachelor degree in Philology.
Test: TORFL-4 (Level 4 Test on Russian as a foreign language)
Level description: Confirms the advanced level of Russian language close to the native speaker level.
Additional information: Mandatory to obtain the Bachelor and Specialist degrees in Philology, PhD degree in Philology and Education.
Naturalization test
Level description: Confirms the sufficient level of Russian language for oral and written communication in the Russian-speaking community.
Additional information: Mandatory to obtain Russian citizenship.
Source: interedu.tusur.ru