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Ministry of Science
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New term of office of the State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language and the first meeting of the team

22.05.2024

On 20th May, the first meeting of the State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language in the new term took place at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. During the meeting, Deputy Minister Andrzej Szeptycki appointed new team members. The Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education also outlined the strategic challenges facing the body. The current four-year term of office of the committee began on 26th April this year.

New term of office of the State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language

“The committee is facing new challenges, completely different and undoubtedly greater than at the beginning of the previous term. Since the method of certification affects the methods of learning, the certification itself also requires consideration,” said Deputy Minister Andrzej Szeptycki at the meeting.

“An increasing number of people are learning Polish. We are not just talking about refugees from Ukraine in our country. The learners are of different nationalities and of different ages. For many of them, Polish is the third or subsequent language they learn. The certification system must be adapted to the needs of all these groups, and this is quite a challenge. However, I have no doubt that our team of experts will be able to cope with it,” added the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

State Committee for Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language

The State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language is a body which ensures the operation of the system for certifying proficiency in Polish as a foreign language. Its tasks include:

  • approval of applications for granting of credentials to hold examinations,
  • defining sets of examination tasks,
  • checking the correctness of examination paper assessments by members of examination committees,
  • periodic check-ups of the system for certifying proficiency in Polish as a foreign language,
  • presenting recommendations in this regard to the Minister responsible for higher education and science.

System of official certification of proficiency in Polish as a foreign language

Official confirmation of proficiency in Polish as a foreign language comes in the form of the Certificate of Proficiency in the Polish Language, which is given by the State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language after a mandatory examination has been passed.

The certificates correspond to the language proficiency levels specified by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, i.e. A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Polish language certificates may be obtained in two age groups:

  • in a group adapted to the needs of children and adolescents and
  • in a group adapted to the needs of adults.

Apart from confirming proficiency in the Polish language, the certificate also gives its holders important rights, e.g. allowing them to apply for recognition as citizens of the Republic of Poland (at least B1 in accordance with Article 30(2) of the Act of 2nd April 2009 on Polish citizenship), or to obtain an exemption from fees related to the education of foreigners at full-time courses in Polish at public universities (at least C1 - in accordance with Article 324(2) of the Act of 20th July 2018, Law on higher education and science).

Members of the State Committee for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language, appointed on 26th April 2024 (in office from 2024 - 2028)

  • Aleksandra Achtelik, Ph.D., prof. of University of Silesia - chairwoman
  • Agnieszka Rabiej, Ph.D.  - secretary
  • Iwona Dembowska-Wosik, Ph.D.
  • Maciej Ganczar, prof. of WUM
  • prof. Przemysław Gębal, Ph.D.
  • Piotr Kajak, Ph.D.
  • Katarzyna Kłosińska, Ph.D., prof. of University of Warsaw
  • prof. Aneta Lewińska, Ph.D.
  • Agata Małyska, Ph.D., prof. of UMCS
  • Iwona Palucka-Czerniak, Ph.D., prof. of UZ
  • Wioletta Próchniak, PhD
  • Joanna Stachyra
  • Marek Szladowski, PhD
  • Anna Żurek, Ph.D., prof. of UWr
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