The next accredited Hungarian language proficiency exams will be held on Saturday, February 1^th of 2020 in Toronto, Ontario (St. Elizabeth R.C. Church, 432 Sheppard Ave E, North York, ON M2N 3B7).

The Hungarian Helicon Society, in association with ELTE Origó Nyelvi Centrum (ONyC) of Budapest, offers the Origó Hungarian language proficiency exams in Toronto. Three of the four available examinations are accredited by the Hungarian government and make them officially recognized exams around the world. Upon successful completion of the accredited exams, the examinee will receive an official transcript indicating the type of exam completed.

Currently, exams are offered at four levels, as listed below. The exams are also rated according to the European Council’s 6-level scale – these levels are indicated in parentheses (e.g. B1, B2 etc.)

Alapfok (Level B1) - Threshold User/Foundation: This examination assesses whether the candidates can meet the basic communication demands of everyday life and whether they can create and maintain social, cultural and work relationships at a basic level in a Hungarian language environment. Format: oral exam, written exam, or both taken together. For examinees aged 14 years or older.

Középfok (Level B2) - Independent User/Intermediate: This examination assesses whether the candidates can create and maintain complex social, cultural and work relationships using the appropriate language in a Hungarian language environment. Format: oral exam, written exam, or both taken together. For examinees aged 14 years or older.

Felsőfok (Level C1) - Competent User/Advanced: This examination assesses whether the candidates can approximate the linguistic and cultural performance of native speakers in a Hungarian language environment. The candidates must have a sophisticated vocabulary, a rich variety of stylistic apparatus and must be familiar with different language registers. Format: oral exam, written exam, or both taken together. For examinees aged 14 years or older.

Levels B1, B2, C1 are internationally recognized levels as determined by the Council of Europe.

For detailed information about the exams, visit the ONyC’s website: www.onyc.hu

Hungarian language exams are also offered by the ECL Consortium (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages) but not yet available in Canada. Compare the Origó and ECL exam systems.

The Origó exams are also offered in two other examination centres in Canada: Montréal and Vancouver. More information.

There are many reasons why you may wish to obtain proof of your language proficiency, including:

• To obtain proof of your knowledge of Hungarian - for personal or professional reasons.
• To determine the level of your knowledge of Hungarian based on a specific and internationally recognized scale.
• To indicate on your resume or job application that you have an accredited certification in Hungarian.
• If you intend to apply for a job in Hungary, your employer may require official proof of your proficiency in Hungarian.
• If you wish to further your studies in Hungary, proof of your current language proficiency may be required by the educational institution.
• If you are currently studying Hungarian, these exams can help gauge your current level and future progress.
• In 2004, Hungary joined the European Union, making Hungarian an officially recognized language in the E.U. Proving one’s proficiency in Hungarian may prove useful in other countries in the E.U. for work or study purposes.

Please, send your registration form (attached) and the exam fee (only checks and money orders are accepted) to the Helicon Society’s mailing address (indicated on the form).

Deadline: January 7th, 2020. (Please, indicate your intention of taking the exam to us by email, should your registration form not arrive on time by mail).

Should you have any questions, feel free to email us at education@heliconsociety.com