← return to courses

DESCRIPTION OF DELE COURSE...

Our DELE Preparation Course is offered for preparing our students to one of the three different levels.

[All information provided by the Cervantes Institute]

LEVEL 1: Certificado inicial de Español (C.I.E.): certifies the bearer has a basic command of Spanish.
LEVEL 2: Diploma Básico de Español (D.B.E.): certifies the bearer has an intermediate command of the language.
LEVEL 3:Diploma Superior de Español (D.S.E.): certifies the bearer has an excellent command of Spanish.

WHAT IS THE DELE CERTIFICATE?

The 'Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE)', issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry for Education and Science, are official qualifications accrediting levels of competence and command of the Spanish language.

• Diploma de Español (Nivel inicial / Beginner level): This qualification attests to sufficient linguistic ability for understanding and responding appropriately in most normal day-to-day situations and for expressing desires and needs in a basic way.

• Diploma de Español (Nivel intermedio / Intermediate level): This qualification validates sufficient linguistic ability to get by in average day-to-day situations in normal communication circumstances, which do not require specialized use of the language.

• Diploma de Español (Nivel superior / Proficiency level): This qualification accredits the necessary linguistic competence to integrate in situations requiring an advanced use of the language and knowledge of the cultural customs embedded within it.
 

EXAMINATION FORMAT

The examinations consist of five tests, each of which includes different exercises. To obtain the Diploma in Spanish, at Beginner, Intermediate or Proficiency level, candidates must pass all the tests on the same examination date.

BEGINNER LEVEL

[Reading Comprehension 40 minutes]

1. Candidates must answer by selecting the appropriate answer to multiple choice questions on informative texts.

2. Candidates must select information from a text, based on a series of questions.
Writing 50 minutes
Candidates must be able to produce brief, simple texts of a practical nature, such as notes, notices, application forms, etc.
Listening Comprehension 30 minutes
Candidates must be able to understand short, simple dialogues and recorded information by choosing the correct answers.
Grammar and Vocabulary 40 minutes
1. Candidates must match up different sentences with their corresponding situations.

2. Candidates must locate, in several sentences, the words or expressions that are out of context.

3. Candidates must complete a text by selecting the correct options.
Speaking 10 minutes
Candidates must carry on a 10 to 15-minute conversation with the panel.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

[Reading Comprehension 60 minutes]

Candidates will select the right answer to 12 multiple choice questions, on 4 texts, each of which will be no longer than 450 words.
Writing 60 minutes
Candidates must carry out two tasks: writing a letter and a composition. Each exercise should be between 150 and 200 words long.
Listening Comprehension 30 minutes
Candidates will answer 12 multiple choice questions on 4 oral texts (recordings). The recordings will consist of notices, news, conversations or interviews.
Grammar and Vocabulary 60 minutes
Candidates will carry out the following two exercises:
1. Fill in the gaps (20 spaces): candidates must choose the most appropriate option from the three given for each space.

2. They must fill in 40 short dialogues, each with a gap, with the best option.
Speaking 10-15 minutes
Candidates must carry on a 10 to 15-minute conversation with the panel.

PROFICIENCY LEVEL

[Reading Comprehension 60 minutes]

Candidates will carry out the following two exercises:
1. They must select the correct answer to 9 multiple choice questions on 3 texts, each of which will be no longer than 800 words.

2. They must match up a maximum of 10 series of text fragments
Writing 60 minutes
Candidates will compose:
1. A formal letter on one topic taken from two choices, on a number of given points.

2. A composition of a narrative, descriptive or discursive nature.
Each exercise should be between 150 and 200 words long.
Listening Comprehension 45 minutes
Candidates will answer 16 multiple choice questions on 4 oral texts (recordings). The recordings will be conversations between two or more speakers, or comments or reports broadcast in the media.
Grammar and Vocabulary 60 minutes
Candidates must complete the following three exercises:
1. Fill in the gaps (20 spaces): candidates must choose the most appropriate option from the three given for each space.

2. Multiple Choice Exercise : using one of the given options, candidates must fill in the gaps in 35 sentences.

3. They must find 5 grammatical errors in one or several short texts.
Speaking 10-15 minutes
Candidates must carry on a 10 to 15-minute conversation with the panel.

if you want more information about our DELE Preparation Courses, please visit our Course Profile Page.