Is the Sproochentest difficult? What trips candidates up and how to prepare

The Sproochentest is not a test of “perfect” Luxembourgish. It checks that you can talk about your daily life at A2 level and understand simple recordings at B1 level. What makes it difficult is mainly speaking spontaneously in front of an examiner and following the spoken language at natural speed. The good news: the pass rule leaves some margin, and preparation focused on the format makes a real difference.

What the test really requires

The test is organised by the Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL). Its Sproochentest page describes two parts:

In the speaking test, the observing examiner scores 4 criteria from 0 to 5: vocabulary, morphosyntax, phonetics and task completion. These criteria count for 80% of the speaking mark. The overall assessment of the examiner leading the interview counts for 20%. The INLL publishes the assessment grid.

To pass, you need at least half the points in the speaking test. A lower speaking mark can be offset by the listening test: the average of the two parts, rounded up to the next whole number, must then reach half the points, as guichet.public.lu explains.

What causes the most problems

Speaking without freezing

Many candidates understand fairly well but have hardly ever spoken Luxembourgish out loud. On the day of the test, stress wipes out the words. A2 level does not require long sentences: it requires you to answer, keep the conversation going and make yourself understood on familiar topics.

Understanding the language at real speed

The recordings resemble everyday life: a radio announcement, a conversation, a presentation. You will not catch every word. The challenge is to pick out the information you need to answer the multiple-choice questions, without panicking over a passage you missed.

Everyday vocabulary

Work, family, housing, leisure, health, celebrations: the interview topics touch on your personal life. Candidates often lack the simple, precise words to talk about them, especially if they use another language at work.

Pronunciation and spoken grammar

Phonetics and morphosyntax are part of the grid. You do not need a Luxembourgish accent, but you do need to be understood and to build correct sentences when speaking: verbs, word order, past tenses.

How long does it take to prepare?

No public source gives a preparation time that applies to everyone. It all depends on your starting point. Here is how to gauge where you stand:

• You already speak Luxembourgish every day: your work is mainly about the format. Practise the topics, the photos and working against the clock.
• You understand, but rarely speak: speaking is the priority. Speak every day, even for a few minutes, and record yourself.
• You have some basics: strengthen the vocabulary of the topics and spoken grammar, then move on to the plan below.
• You are starting from scratch: begin with a Luxembourgish course. The 8-week plan comes afterwards, as the final stretch.

The simplest way to measure the gap is to try the examples published by the INLL: an example interview, a photo to describe and a listening recording. If you can keep a conversation going for five minutes and understand the gist of the audio, you are close to the expected level.

Also bear in mind that failing is not final. According to the INLL FAQ, there is no limit on the number of registrations; you can register again once you have received the results of the previous test. Each registration costs €75.

An 8-week preparation plan

This plan assumes you already have some basics. Aim for short, regular sessions rather than long, infrequent ones.

1. Week 1: take stock

   Listen to the INLL audio example, then try describing a photo and talking about a topic for five minutes. Note what holds you back: words, comprehension, pronunciation.

2. Week 2: introducing yourself

   Prepare a spoken introduction of yourself: family, work, where you live, hobbies. Practise it until you can say it without reading.

3. Week 3: the first topics

   Work on four interview topics. For each one, list about twenty words and five questions you might be asked.

4. Week 4: describing a photo

   Practise a simple structure: what you can see, where, who, what the people are doing, what the photo makes you think of.

5. Week 5: listening

   Listen to a short audio in Luxembourgish every day. Identify who is speaking, about what, where and when, then answer questions.

6. Week 6: spoken grammar

   Review common verbs, word order and the past tense. Correct the mistakes that keep coming back in your recordings.

7. Week 7: mock exams

   Take at least two complete mock exams under test conditions: topic chosen from 2, photo chosen from 3, then a timed listening test.

8. Week 8: the final stretch

   Go over your weak points, reread the tablet instructions and plan the practical details for the day.

To go further on the two parts of the speaking test, read our guides The interview topics and Succeeding at the photo description.

On the day of the test

The INLL’s general provisions set strict rules:

• arrive at least 15 minutes before the start; late arrivals are not accepted;
• bring a valid original identity document (identity card, passport or travel document); copies and driving licences are not accepted;
• if you do not attend, the fees are not refunded; in the event of illness, an accident or a death in the family, send supporting evidence within 5 days.

Practising speaking with concrete feedback

The main difficulty of the Sproochentest is speaking, and the only way to improve your speaking is to speak. Our Sproochentest pack will offer spoken and written practice: audio in Luxembourgish, your recorded answers and a voice corrector that gives you your mark according to the test’s grid. It opens soon. In the meantime, see our packs and prices.

Frequently asked questions