ECL or Origó?
Currently two language exam systems offer Hungarian as a second language exam: ECL and Origó.
ECL stands for the European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment of Modern Languages (yepp, that’s a mouthful 🙂 in Pécs, Hungary and
Origó stands for the ELTE Origó Nyelvi Centrum in Budapest, Hungary.
So which one to choose to take the Hungarian exam?
While they are very much the same at their core, they also have some unique features that you might want to consider. So to make it easier for you, I outlined their similarities and differences in a table below.
| ECL | Origó | |
|---|---|---|
| Testing language | monolingual Hungarian | monolingual Hungarian |
| Certificate type | accredited | accredited, unless noted otherwise |
| Exam types | Oral AND written | Oral AND/OR written, your choice! |
| Levels | B1, B2, C1 | junior (not accredited), A2 (not accredited), B1, B2, C1 |
| Oral communication | Format: 2 or 3 candidates at the same time, in front of 2 raters, of which one is conducting the interview Parts: – warm-up (not assessed) – candidates’ conversation about a topic – monologue (each candidate separately) about a topic based on a picture | Format: 1 candidate in front of 2 raters who take turns conducting parts of the oral exam) Parts: – guided conversation – talking about a topic based on a picture – situation (role-play) – interpretation of a text (level C1 only) |
| Listening comprehension | – listening to 2 audio recordings – completing related exercises (ex. multiple choice; matching of short texts/parts of the text, summaries, titles, questions, pictures etc.; placing words, phrases back into sentences; completing a chart; questions requiring short answers; completing sentences) | same as ECL |
| Reading comprehension | – reading a shorter and a somewhat longer text – completing related exercises (ex. multiple choice; matching of short texts/parts of the text, summaries, titles, questions, pictures etc.; placing words, phrases back into sentences; completing a chart; questions requiring short answers; completing sentences) | same as ECL |
| Written communication | Composing 2 texts ex. (depending on the level) invitation, message, personal letter, e-mail, comment for a blog or internet forum, personal report, formal e-mail, official report, essay/composition etc. | same as ECL |
Hi,
I found your notes very informative. I only have a couple of questions.
1. Can these exams be taken in London? Where?
2. Where can I find mock exam questions and other resources that can help me to prepare for the test?
Thank you. Kind regards,
Julianna
Hi Julianna,
1. The ECL language exam is available in London, UK. I suggest you get in touch with the Hungarian Cultural Centre for information about dates and so on:
London, WC2E 7NA, 10 Maiden Lane
Phone: +44.207.240.8448
As far as I know, the ELTE Origó exam is not currently offered in London.
2. You can find online ECL sample tests here (scroll down for “magyar”). You can also order ECL test books here to see more tests.
Good luck with your exam 🙂
Katalin