This morning the first 'Italian language tests to issue stay permits' were held in Florence and Asti, given to immigrants who have been in Italy for at least 5 years. The test lasted for just over an hour: in Florence the test was given to 19 candidates out of 20 people who registered.

The immigrants who took the exam were mainly from Albania, and about half were women. In Asti there were 10 candidates, mainly from North Africa and two from Senegal.

In Florence, out of the 19 test-takers, reported officials, only one is illiterate in her own language (an Albanian woman). ''They were all extremely nervous at the beginning,'' said professor Patrizia Margiacchi, an Italian teacher at the Di Cambio-Angelico school, where the exam was held'

'Then, when they understood what was on the exam, they calmed down a bit.'' ''The test is going well,'' said local immigration official from the Florence Prefecture, Daniela Lucchi.

''I think that the average level is quite good. However, anyone who does not pass the test must retake it in the future.'' One of the six exercises done by the first 19 candidates out of a total of 170 immigrants who requested to take the test, was the following:

''Write a letter to your Italian friend to invite him on vacation (address and message of at least 15 words)''.

The test was divided into three sections: listening, which lasted for 25 minutes, reading and comprehension (about 25 minutes) and writing (about 10 minutes). In conclusion, they were asked to write a request to the Prefecture for information on the documentation to present in order to obtain citizenship.