Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language DELE

DELE Courses Timetable

The abbreviation DELE means Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language). These diplomas offer the only internationally accredited official titles which confirm a command of the Spanish Language and are awarded by the Spanish Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport.

In Ireland, these exams are organized by Instituto Cervantes.

The diplomas that may be obtained include the following:

Diploma in Spanish Level A1
Diploma in Spanish Level A2
Diploma in Spanish Level B1 (formerly Beginner)
Diploma in Spanish Level B2 (formerly Intermediate)
Diploma in Spanish Level C1
Diploma in Spanish Level C2

Diploma in Spanish Level A1

Accredits sufficient linguistic competence to engage in situations that require an basic level of communication.

Reading comprehension (45 min)
Writing (25 min) Compilation of short simple texts of a practical nature.
Aural comprehension (20 min)
Conversation (10-15 min)

Diploma in Spanish Level A2

Accredits sufficient linguistic competence to understand phrases and expressions frequently used in daily life relating to relevant experiences (basic information to describe oneself and one’s family, shopping, places of interest, occupations, etc.). The exam consists of the following sections:

Reading comprehension (50 min)
Writing (50 min) Compilation of short simple texts of a practical nature.
Aural comprehension (25 min)
Conversation (15 min)

Diploma in Spanish Level B1

Accredits sufficient linguistic competence to engage in situations that require an elementary level of communication.

Reading comprehension (40 min)
Writing (40 min) Compilation of short simple texts of a practical nature.
Aural comprehension. (30 min)
Grammar and vocabulary test (40 min)
Conversation (10-15 min)

According to the ALTE(Association of Language Testers in Europe), the CIE is equivalent to the following international diplomas:

English: Preliminary English Test (PET)
French: Certificat d'Études de Français Pratique 2 (C.E.F.P. 2)
German: Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache (ZdaF)

For an informative leaflet on the DELE exams: http://diplomas.cervantes.es

Diploma in Spanish Level B2

Accredits sufficient linguistic competence to engage in ordinary situations encountered in daily life and normal circumstances of communication that do not require a specialised knowledge of the language.

Reading comprehension (60 min)
Writing (60 min) Compilation of a personal letter and a composition. Each one must contain between 150 and 200 words.
Aural comprehension (30 min) The candidate will answer 12 multiple choice questions on 4 oral texts (recordings). The recordings will consist of announcements, news items, conversations and interviews.
Grammar and vocabulary test (60 min)
Conversation (10-15 min)

According to the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), the Intermediate Diploma is equivalent to the following international diplomas:

English: First Certificate in English (FCE)
French: Diplôme de Langue Française (DL)
German: Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP)

Informative leaflet on the DELE exams: http://diplomas.cervantes.es

Diploma in Spanish Level C1

Accredits sufficient linguistic competence to express oneself clearly and fluently. The candidate will have good control of a broad range of vocabulary, including idiomatic and colloquial expressions. The exam consists of the following sections:

Reading comprehension (80 min)
Writing (80 min.). Written expression and interaction
Aural comprehension (60 min)
Conversation (20 min)

Diploma de Español Level C2

Accredits the linguistic competence needed to engage in situations that require an advanced use of the Spanish language and a knowledge of Spanish culture.

Reading Comprehension (60 min)
Writing (60 min) Compilation of a letter related to public issues and a composition. Each piece of written work must be between 159 and 200 words.
Aural Comprehension (45 min). The candidate will answer 16 multiple choice questions on 4 oral texts (recordings). The recordings will consist of conversations, or commentaries or reports broadcast in the media.
Grammar and vocabulary test (60 min)
Conversation (10-15 min)

According to the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), the advanced diploma is equivalent to the following international diplomas:

English: Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
French: Diplôme Supérieur d'Études Françaises Modernes (DS)
German: Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS), Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)

More information:

Informative leaflet on DELE exams: http://diplomas.cervantes.es

Overview of the evaluation system DELE. Spanish version.