By signing the contract on April 26, 2005, with the European Consortium for Foreign Languages, the Faculty of Economics in Subotica became the National Center for foreign language teaching and testing based on ECL standards. This unique system of foreign language teaching, both within school and university education as well as outside it, covers not only the most widespread global languages (English, German, French, Russian) but also lesser-taught European languages such as Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian, Croatian, Italian, Spanish, and since 2005, Serbian.
The tasks of the Foreign Languages Center are:
1. Organizing ECL exams in English, German, and Serbian as foreign languages, and, if necessary, preparatory courses in these languages;
2. Developing tests for Serbian as a foreign language according to the standards of the Council of Europe.
What is the ECL Exam?
The ECL exam is an internationally recognized foreign language proficiency test. The exam was established in 1992 at the initiative of the European Council for Languages, supported by the ERASMUS and LINGUA programs, aiming to create a unified foreign language test for all EU member states. The headquarters is located in the Republic of Hungary, at the Foreign Languages Center of the University of Pécs. The main task of this center is to coordinate test development and the implementation of the ECL exam in Europe, the USA, and Argentina.
The ECL system includes languages such as English, German, Polish, Hungarian, Russian, Romanian, Slovak, Bulgarian, Croatian, Italian, Estonian, Czech, Lithuanian, and Serbian. Each country where these languages are spoken has a national ECL center and several sub-centers.
In Serbia, the national center for the Serbian language is the Foreign Languages Center at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica.
What is tested in the ECL exam?
The ECL exam tests foreign language proficiency in four skills divided into oral and written parts. The oral part includes listening comprehension and speaking, while the written part includes reading comprehension and writing. The ECL diploma can be awarded either for the complete exam or separately for the oral or written parts.
Grammar is tested within the writing section, while translation skills are not assessed.
How are the tests taken?
Each test consists of two parts.
A. In the written part of the exam, candidates complete two tests:
1. A reading comprehension test (with two tasks)
2. A writing test, where candidates write two compositions.
B. In the oral part:
- candidates complete a listening comprehension test (two tasks)
- speaking is assessed through an introduction, picture description, and discussion on a given topic.
Which levels of proficiency are assessed in the ECL exam?
The levels of foreign language proficiency established by the Council of Europe are assessed, designated as A2, B1, B2, and C1.
How long does the exam take?
The exam duration depends on the number of registered candidates. Based on experience, the exam rarely lasts less than four hours. We recommend reserving the entire day for the ECL exam.
What study materials should be used?
Any textbooks that develop communicative competence (all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing), such as "Headway" for English or "Themen aktuell" for German, are suitable.
Which topics are covered in the exam?
There are five exam periods during the year: February, April, June, October, and December.
At the beginning of each year, the Central Office in Pécs sets exam dates, which are mandatory for all ECL system member countries.
The exam must be registered no later than one month before the exam period.
How to register for the exam?
You can register in two ways:
1. Via the website www.ecl.hu. Select the language, English or Hungarian, and follow the instructions carefully. Please fill in all fields and select the exam level you wish to take.
2. Via email at ecl@ef.uns.ac.rs (for technical issues accessing www.ecl.hu). Please be sure to include:
- the language you wish to take the exam in
- level (A2, B1, B2, C1)
- last name and first name
- mother's name
- full date of birth
- place of birth
- educational level
- address (street, number, postal code, city)
- phone number (landline and mobile)
- email address
After successful registration, you will receive a registration confirmation email with a registration number, allowing you to view exam results 3-4 weeks after the exam.
When can candidates withdraw from the exam with a refund?
Candidates can withdraw and receive a refund up to seven days before the scheduled exam date. Unfortunately, after this, we cannot provide refunds.
What is the exam start time?
The exact start time and day are determined by the Foreign Languages Center at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, and it will be announced on the center's notification pages.
If you have not received exam time details two days before the exam, please call the center to confirm.
Is the exam held at the Novi Sad Department?
The exam is held at the Faculty of Economics Subotica's Novi Sad Department if there are more than three candidates registered.
Candidates can check results at www.ecl.hu or by email at ecl@ef.uns.ac.rs.
When and where is the diploma awarded?
Diplomas are issued within about two months after the exam. Candidates can collect them in person at the Foreign Languages Center or request mailing by email.
Notifications on the date and time of diploma distribution will be posted on the center’s web pages.
Is it possible to obtain a certificate before the diploma?
A certificate can be issued upon a candidate's written request via email to ecl@ef.uns.ac.rs.
Can candidates request a re-evaluation?
A re-evaluation is possible upon written request sent directly to the Central Office in Pécs. Contact information is available at www.ecl.hu.
Dear candidates,
We inform you of a price change for the ECL exam.
Below, you will find the new price list. Prices are based on the price list from the ECL Center in Pécs.
The payment amount should be calculated in dinars at the middle exchange rate on the day of payment.
All candidates are asked to make payments in time so that it is visible in the account by the last registration day.
Only candidates who pay in time and provide proof to ecl@ef.uns.ac.rs can take the exam.
When and how should exam fees be paid?
The exam should be paid after receiving confirmation of successful registration by email.
Send proof of payment to:
Foreign Languages Center
Faculty of Economics in Subotica
Segedinski put 9-11
24000 Subotica
Recipient: Faculty of Economics in Subotica, Segedinski put 9-11, 24000 Subotica
Account number: 840-1045666-13
Purpose of payment: for taking the ECL exam
Reference number: CSJ
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