What is the history of LILATE?

The LILATE® (Live Language Test) is much more than a simple language test. It embodies an innovative approach to language assessment, tailored to contemporary professional needs. Discover its journey, transformations, and impact in the world of language certification.

📅 2017: The beginnings of LILATE

• Registration: LILATE® is added to the National Interprofessional List (LNI) of certifications eligible for the CPF.
• First steps: Lingueo is the only entity authorized to administer a LILATE assessment. The first partners are vetted based on prerequisites, such as quality labels.

🔄 2018 - 2019: Expansion

• Opening to testing centers: LILATE opens the possibility for centers to become testing sites, inspired by the TOEIC, with the goal of increasing visibility and accelerating distribution.
• Launch of the LILATE® testing center platform: This partner platform allows both the reception and verification of contractual documents, registrations, etc.
• Implementation of candidate feedback requests: Qualitative exchanges and feedback mechanisms are established.

📈 2020: Consolidation and strengthening

• Adoption by major corporations: LILATE® becomes the recognized certification for professional development within leading French companies.
• Identification of abuses (COVID period): Fake partners claim to prepare candidates for LILATE, sometimes even in languages not covered.
• Increase in controls: Regular exchanges with the Caisse des Dépôts, implementation of shadow checks, verification of the alignment between the number of training sessions conducted and the number of LILATE tests taken by the partner, etc.

🛠️ 2021: Restructuring and refocusing

• Reduction in the number of partners: Following the identification of abuses, LILATE reduces its partners from over 200 to fewer than 40.
• Evolution of the LILATE platform: The platform is adapted to align with the certifier space of the Caisse des Dépôts.

🔄 2022: Renewal and redefinition

• Name change: LILATE® becomes the “Test of Ability to Work in a Foreign Language - LILATE®,” emphasizing the professional purpose of the certification.
• End of the “Testing Center” strategy: Return to internal management of the test to ensure full quality control.
• We allow our historic and high-quality partners to administer LILATE tests already committed until August 31, 2022, but terminate ongoing agreements.
• New partnerships: Agreements are established under new conditions ensuring compliance and assessment efficiency.
• Platform modification: The platform is updated to help partners comply with the new rules and to enable real-time monitoring of which organization is preparing which learner in which language, their progress, objectives, training program, and financial framework (CPF mobilization or not, if yes with EDOF file ID), allowing delivery not only of certificates in real time but of all elements of the learner’s training path to both the CDC and France Compétences.

Updated on: 16/09/2025