The Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL) is a standardized test of proficiency in Russian language. The test began in 1992 and is administered by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. The test is organised in universities across Russia and Europe.

It is established as a part of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) and is acknowledged world-wide as an attestation of one’s knowledge and linguistic skills in the Russian language. Currently, the TORFL consists of six levels of proficiency that signify the framework of the European Language Council (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). Each level comprises five modules testing linguistic skills in

• Section 1: Vocabulary and Grammar
• Section 2: Reading
• Section 3: Writing
• Section 4: Listening Comprehension
• Section 5: Speaking

A pass grade in the test for each level necessitates a minimum score of 66% for each module (within this overall percentage a minimum of 60% is legitimate in one of the section modules).

A certificate by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation is issued after passing the test. This certificate is recognized and valid in the Russian and European Institutions.

TORFL Advantages

The test is designed to evaluate your level of Russian language, including all of its facets-the ability to read and write in Russian language, syntax, semantics, lexicon, and the communicative skills essential in different circumstances including both personal and professional settings. The Certificate:

• enables you to pursue your education in Russian universities, including studying as a foreign student (the compulsory language level is B1);
• provides you the opportunity to deal with clients who speak Russian;
• supports your work with companies and partners in Europe, Russia, and CIS countries.

TORFL Dates and Deadlines

The test takes place over in two different days. In the first day, the three parts: Lexis and Grammar, Reading, Listening and in the second day, the last two parts: Writing and Speaking, are passed. The test is generally held during the second week of March every year.

TEU-Elementary Level

The Elementary Level (A1) of Russian language substantiates that the pupil is competent to attain his or her basic communicate objectives in day-to-day communication using a limited lexicon, expressions, and so on.

Total Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

• Grammar and Vocabulary: This part consists of objective-type questions with 110 items about fundamental grammar. A lexicon of about 780 words is necessary.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Reading: This part consists of multiple-choice questions with 30 items and pupils are required to read, understand and point out the central theme of the text.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Listening: This part comprises of multiple-choice questions with 20 items and requires the pupils to understand and explain a short dialogue or soliloquy about everyday life.
• Time Taken: 30 minutes
  Writing: This part requires pupils to write a brief content or a letter, and also answer a few simple questions.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Speaking: This part requires the pupils to introduce themselves in Russian language. Also, the examiner asks a few questions which the students have to respond orally in Russian language. There are two examiners who take a test of one pupil.
• Time Taken: 30 minutes

TBU- Basic Level

The Basic Level (A2) of Russian language point out that the pupil can express themselves in real life social settings and the cultural sphere. This level provides the necessary basis for any professional activity or employment.

• Total Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
  Grammar and Vocabulary: This part consists of objective type questions with 110 items about fundamental grammar, like conjugation and declension. A vocabulary of about 1300 words is necessary.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Reading: This part includes multiple-choice questions with 30 items and requires the pupils to read and point out the key detail of a short text.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Listening: Comprises of multiple-choice questions with 30 entries and requires the pupils understand a dialogue or soliloquy about day-to-day life, and take out the vital information from it.
• Time Taken: 35 minutes
  Writing: This part requires students to compose a brief content, greeting card, letter, and answer a few questions.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Speaking: Comprises of multiple-choice questions and ask pupils to talk about themselves and answer a few questions asked by the examiners.
• Time Taken: 25 minutes

First Certification Level (TORFL 1)-Intermediate Level

The first level (B1) of Russian language confirms that the applicants can conduct themselves with poise and confidence in everyday social circumstances, and in the cultural, educational and professional domains. This level is mandatory for admission in an undergraduate course at Russian universities.

• Total Duration: 3 hours and 50 minutes
  Grammar and Vocabulary: This part comprises of objective-type questions with 165 items and assesses pupil’s grammatical expertise. A 1300 word list is needed.
• Time Taken: 60 minutes
  Reading: Comprises of multiple-choice questions with 20 entries and requires the pupils to understand a text and get vital data out of it.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Listening: Pupils are asked to listen to both the dialogues and monologues presented on several subjects and answer 30 multiple- choice questions.
• Time Taken: 35 minutes
  Writing: This part requires applicants to read and interpret the key information presented in the text and frame an article of about 110 words.
• Time Taken: 60 minutes
  Speaking: This part requires students to engage in a conversation with two examiners and they have to talk in Russian language only.
• Time Taken: 25 minutes

Second Certification Level (TORFL 2) – Advanced Level

The second level (B2) of Russian language confirms that the applicant can conduct themselves with poise and confidence in everyday social circumstances, and in the cultural, educational and professional domains and also, holds a high level of communicative proficiency in all areas. This level is mandatory to achieve in order to gain admittance to a graduate study programme as non-humanities major in Russia Institutions.

• Total Duration: 4 hours and 35 minutes
  Grammar and Vocabulary: This part comprises of objective- type questions with 100 items enabling pupils to demonstrate their proficiency of Russian language. A lexicon of about 2300 words is necessary.
• Time Taken: 90 minutes
  Reading: This part contains 25 entries and requires pupils to study, understand and interpret given texts.
• Time Taken: 60 minutes
  Listening: This part includes 25 items which are sub-divided into 4 different tasks- short dialogue, public speech, discussion and TV or radio feature. This part requires the pupil’s to prove their proficiency in Russian language by completing these tasks.
• Time Taken: 40 minutes
  Writing: It involves 3 different tasks- a piece of writing of a listened text on paper, the study and evaluation of varied information, and the writing of an article or short essay conveying your point of views.
• Time Taken: 55 minutes
  Speaking: This test is conducted by two chief examiners and requires the students to listen and participate in conversation and express their point of views. It consists of 3 tasks:

   

  • Listening to a conversation and answering questions based on it. The answers of the applicants are recorded.
  • Role-play with the examiners
  • Oral Interaction/discussion in Russian with the examiners
• Time Taken: 25 minutes

Third Certification Level (TORFL 3) – Proficiency Level

The third level (C1) of Russian language confirms that the applicant is able to communicate easily and fluently in all areas, carry out a scientific research and instruct courses in Russian. This level is mandatory to attain in order to gain admittance into graduate studies as humanities major in Russian Institutions.

• Total Duration: 4 hours and 55 minutes
  Grammar and Vocabulary: Comprises of multiple-choice questions with 165 items that measures an applicant’s grammatical expertise. A minimum lexicon of 5000 words is necessary.
• Time Taken: 90 minutes
  Reading: This part has 25 multiple choice questions and requires applicants to study, understand and interpret different business and socio- cultural texts.
• Time Taken: 90 minutes
  Listening: This part includes 25 items which are sub-divided into 4 different tasks- short dialogue, public speech, discussion and TV or radio feature. This part requires the pupil’s to prove their proficiency in Russian language by completing these tasks.
• Time Taken: 30 minutes
  Writing: It involves 3 different tasks- a piece of writing of a listened text on paper, the study and evaluation of varied information, and the writing of an article or short essay conveying your point of views.
• Time Taken: 60 minutes
  Speaking: Students are asked to engage in a conversation with the examiner and lead the discussion/conversation on a given theme.
• Time Taken: 25 minutes

Fourth Certification Level (TORFL 4) – Fluency Level

The fourth level (C2) of Russian language certifies that the applicant has mastered the Russian language and speaks clearly and fluently, almost to the level of a native speaker. This level is essential to work as a philologist and a teacher of Russian as a foreign language.

• Total Duration: 4 hours and 35 minutes
  Grammar and Vocabulary: Pupils are permitted to make use of an extensive lexicon and all grammatical functions. A total of 9000 difficult words list is needed.
• Time Taken: 60 minutes
  Reading: Comprises of multiple- choice questions with 25 entries and requires students to understand and study the texts given with the use of around 4000 words.
• Time Taken: 60 minutes
  Listening: This part includes 25 items which are sub-divided into 4 different tasks- short dialogue, public speech, discussion and TV or radio feature. This part requires the pupil’s to prove their proficiency in Russian language by completing these tasks.
• Time Taken: 50 minutes
  Writing: It involves 3 different tasks- a piece of writing of a listened text on paper, the study and evaluation of varied information, and the writing of an article or short essay conveying your point of views.
• Time Taken: 80 minutes
  Speaking: This test is conducted by two chief examiners and requires the students to listen and participate in conversation and express their point of views. It consists of 3 tasks with a total of 100 items:

   

  • Listening to a conversation and answering questions based on it. The answers of the applicants are recorded.
  • Role-play with the examiners
  • Oral interaction/discussion with the examiners
• Time Taken: 45 minutes

Registration and Fees

For TORFL, applicants need to register with the testing centres and choose the level of the tests they want to take. You can get the application form from the testing centre either by mail or by phone. Fill in the application form completely and return it with payment on time. The fee varies with each level and examination centre and must be paid at the centre. THERE IS NO TESTING CENTRE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The St Petersberg University administers the integration exam and the TORFL in 32 regions of Russian Federation and abroad. For more details about test centers near you check official webpage of TORFL: Test of Russian as a Foreign Language​

Credit: https://www.southafricaeducation.info/international-tests/test-of-russian-as-a-foreign-language-torfl.html [Accessed: 2020/07/15]