DELE -

Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language

  How to get my DELE diploma

Inform yourself here by

 DELE – STEP by STEP

This webpage has been launched by Instituto Español Murallas de Ávila (IEMA – www.iema.com) to provide you with the essential information about the DELE exams and diplomas – the examination, the different levels, the conditions for inscription etc.

By 8 steps we will give you all information necessary, essential and useful, clearly structured and easy to understand.

Our `DELE – STEP by STEP´ will dispel your doubts, answer all your questions and also at the same time offer you a test of your level of Spanish.

Furthermore you will find here information on how to acquire the necessary techniques to help you pass the examinations.

I. STEP ONE  

General Information

  What are the DELE diplomas ?  

The Instituto Cervantes awards the DELE diplomas on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

A DELE diploma is an official certificate with an international reputation which certifies a certain level of competence in using the Spanish language.

What are the advantages of a DELE diploma for me?

The diplomas DELE are qualifications you can obtain in addition to the qualifications you have acquired at school or university. Due to their international reputation these diplomas can be very useful for your further career – especially if you are cooperating with Spanish companies or planning to work in a Spanish speaking country.

  Which different DELE levels exist?

The present DELE levels offered are:

DELE NIVEL INICIAL (beginners level):

The DELE diploma at this level certifies sufficient linguistic competence to understand and act successfully in common everyday situations and to express basic needs. The certified level is an equivalent of the level B1 according to the ´Common European Framework of Reference for Languages´ (European Union). It could be compared to the level you normally attain once you finish the compulsory high school career.

For the world of work this means that the holder of the diploma is capable of using the Spanish language in contexts which do not require decision making.

DELE NIVEL INTERMEDIO (DELE intermediate level)

The DELE diploma for this level certifies the linguistic competence necessary to engage in conversational situations of everyday life which do not require a specialised use of the language (e.g. technical terms).

This certified DELE level is an equivalent of the level B2 of the European Framework of Reference. For business life this means, that the holder of the diploma INICIAL can make sufficient use of Spanish in common work situations and handle routine duties and responsabilities at a certain level of independence and competence.

DELE NIVEL SUPERIOR (DELE Proficiency)

This diploma certifies the linguistic competence necessary to engage in conversational situations which require a high linguistic standard including more specific terms and a knowledge of cultural-pragmatical aspects of Spanish. The certified level is an equivalent to the level C1-C2 of the European Framework of Reference. For the world of business this means that the holder of this DELE diploma can use Spanish in all occurring contexts appropriately and is furthermore capable of carrying out decisions independently.

II. STEP TWO

  How can I find out which level I have?

We can give you a general evaluation of your level while analysing first of all your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

However, it is not possible to offer a complete analysis of your knowledges and skills from a distance, only a personal meeting would give a better indication of your linguistic abilities. In a direct level test we would also include an assessment of your oral skills as well as of your writing skills and comprehension. Only this way we could give you a reliable estimation of your present Spanish level and recommend to you which DELE examination you should take according to your knowledge and skills.

In order to get a general idea of your global level of Spanish, do the following exam within 45 minutes. Level test.

III. STEP THREE

  How and where can I prepare for my DELE exam ?

It is recommended that you participate in a DELE preparation course.

Not only can you acquire the knowledge and skills you need to pass the examination but become familiar with the specific structure of the DELE exams and the necessary techniques to pass it.

Can I get access to model exams or other material of past DELE examinations ?

All DELE examination material is property of the Instituto Cervantes and may not be published by any third party.

IEMA is a Spanish language school specialised  in the preparation for the DELE exams. As a `Centro acreditado` it is member of the ‘Red de Centros Asociados’ of the Instituto Cervantes. On the basis of an agreement between IEMA and the Instituto Cervantes, we can best prepare our students for any level of the DELE exams.

IEMA, as an associated centre of the Instituto Cervantes and as an official preparation centre for the DELE exams, has the potential to familiarise its students with the contents, structure and examination procedures.

Where can I attend a DELE preparation course ?

It is not enough to acquire only the knowledge and skills necessary with regards to contents, but also the techniques necessary to pass the exams and to learn how to deal with them during the exam. As a matter of fact a lot of candidates fail their exams despite their very good knowledge of Spanish. Due to the stressful situation or being confronted with unexpected formal requirements of the DELE exam (to fill in forms, understand instructions etc.) it often happens that candidates fail the easiest tasks.

If you wish to participate in a DELE preparation course, get more information here.

IV. STEP FOUR

  Preparing the registration for the DELE exams

What conditions and requirements do I have to consider?

If you wish to sit an examination for a DELE diploma, you have to take into consideration the following:

1.      When enroling, you have to provide your National Identity Card. You have to be resident of a state in which Spanish is not an official language.

2.      Citizens of Spanish speaking countries who are residents of states where Spanish is not an official language, can enrol if they meet at least two out of the following conditions:

o        Spanish is not the native language of either of their parents

o        Spanish is not the conventionally used language

o        Spanish is not the first language acquired by the candidate

o        Spanish was not, neither partly nor in total, the language of primary of secondary education.

Which documents do I have to provide when enroling?

·         The registration form which can be obtained in  the examination centres or directly here.

·         Original and copy of a document of identification with a photograph stating the following details: identity, nationality, place and date of birth. The details declared by the candidate in the inscription form must correspond with those of the identification document.

·         Proof of the payment of the enrolment fees.

·         For citizens of Spanish speaking countries who reside elsewhere as explained above: Declaration that the candidate meets at least two of the required conditions (see IV STEP FOUR, “What conditions and requirements do I have to consider?”). The declaration form can be obtained in examination centres or directly here.

Once signed up for the DELE exam, the candidates will receive a sealed copy of the registration form showing the code they have been given and will be sent the official examination information stating place, date and time of the examination. 

V. STEP FIVE

The registration for the DELE exam

Where and when can I register?

You can register for your DELE examination in every accredited DELE examination centre where you can also find all the necessary documents. Please consider that there are specific registration dates; the enrolment period generally starts two months ahead of the DELE examination date. In the next step we offer you a complete list of DELE examination centres.

How much is the registration fee for DELE examinations ?

The DELE examination fee depends on the level of the examination, the country where you are going to sit the examination and the examination centre. In Spain for example, the DELE examination fees for 2008 are the following (no guarantee, to be confirmed by every DELE examination centre):

DELE Inicial: 130 euros
DELE Intermedio: 155 euros
DELE Superior: 180 euros

Where and how do I have to pay for my DELE examination ?

Your DELE examination centre will give you information on this.

VI. STEP SIX

  Sitting the DELE examination

Where can I register for the DELE Exam and when can I take it ?

In 2008 there will be two ordinary DELE examination dates, one in May and one in November. One additional DELE examination will be held according to the conditions and in the places which are specified below.

Where can I take the DELE exam ?

You can take the examinations for the DELE diplomas in almost any part of the world. Click here.

Which DELE examination dates are offered?

 DELE exam MAY 2008

DELE exam NOVEMBER 2008

Special DELE examination date 2008:
22 August 2008

   *Please check availability with the respective examination centre

Which documents do I have to bring in the day of my DELE examination?

 A sealed copy of your enrolment form, your identification card (or passport) and the letter of invitation sent to you from the examination centre.

VII. STEP SEVEN

The DELE examination

How are the DELE exams structured?

The DELE exams consist of five different sections to each of which corresponds an examination section with different exercises.

 To obtain the diploma of any level candidates must pass all sections of the same DELE examination on the same examination date.

DELE exam Beginner Level ( DELE Inicial )

DELE exam Intermediate Level ( DELE Intermedio )

DELE exam Proficiency Level ( DELE Superior )