DIPLOMA OF SPANISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (D.E.L.E)
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.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Candidates wishing to sit Diplomas in Spanish examinations must meet the following requirements:
1. When registering, they must be able to provide documented proof that they are nationals of a country in which Spanish is not an official language.
2. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries resident in countries where Spanish is not an official language may apply to register if they fulfill at least two of the following conditions:
· Spanish is not the native language of either of their parents.
· Spanish is not the first language that they learned.
· Spanish is not the language they use in normal everyday communication.
· They did not receive their primary or secondary education (partially or completely) in Spanish.
The candidates referred to in Section 2 above must declare in writing that they meet at least two of the aforementioned requirements.
TERMS OF REGISTRATION
The examination has 2 ordinary sittings a year, one in May and one in November and an extraordinary sitting in August.
· MAY EXAMINATION: Registration remains open from the 1st March until the middle of April.
· AUGUST EXTRAORDINARY EXAMINATION: Registration remains open from the first fifteen days of August.
· NOVEMBER EXAMINATION: Registration remains open from the 1st September until the middle of October.
The Colegio de Estudios Hispanicos can prepare the registration forms for each client, if so desired, within the dates established for each set of examinations. In order to register, candidates must provide the following documents:
· A Registration forms available from Colegio de Estudios Hispanicos properly completed.
· Original and photocopy of an identification document with photograph showing the following details: identity, nationality, place and date of birth. The details presented by candidates on the registration form must be the same as those on the identification document.
· Documentation showing they have paid the registration fee.
· Signed declaration, where applicable, that they comply with at least two of the conditions described under Section 2 of the "General Conditions".
Once registered, candidates will receive a stamped copy of the registration form showing the code they have been given and will be sent the official examination information by mail, with the place, date and time of the examination.
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Diplomas in Spanish useful for?
The Diplomas in Spanish are the only officially accredited qualifications in Spanish as a Foreign Language and Second Language at the corresponding levels and are recognized internationally by private companies, chambers of commerce and public and private educational systems.
The Diplomas in Spanish (DELE) are valid in Spain in the following instances:
· The Diploma in Spanish (Proficiency level) will exempt holders from sitting any other examination of Spanish language competence on entering the Spanish educational system when transferring from other countries.
· The Diploma in Spanish (Intermediate level) will grant access to the upper level of the first stage of specialist training provided by Spanish Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas.
· The Diploma in Spanish (Intermediate level) or the Diploma in Spanish (Proficiency level), as appropriate, will exempt holders, provided that they are nationals of other European Union states, from sitting any other examination of Spanish language competence when applying for posts offered by the Spanish Public Administration or other public Bodies.
· The Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) will be regarded as sufficient accreditation of competence in Spanish for the purposes of undertaking professional or academic activities in Spain for which knowledge of the language is required.
The Diplomas are issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry for Education and Science and are therefore officially recognized in a number of countries where bilateral agreements on education have been subscribed. The Diplomas in Spanish contribute to the goal of achieving a greater projection of a multilingual Europe that fosters cooperation and mobility among citizens, promoting better recognition of qualifications and educational stages, as well as a quantitative and qualitative improvement in learning the languages of the European Union.
Some educational institutions have adopted the Diplomas in Spanish as a solution for their assessment needs and for the purposes of academic accreditation. In other cases, the Diplomas have had considerable impact on the design and planning of courses and teaching materials for Spanish as a second language. The Diplomas In Spanish are complementary certifications to the programs of statutory education of foreign languages in many countries and institutions, and they are also instrumental in aiding personal promotion in academic and professional spheres. The Instituto Cervantes further undertakes to carry out negotiations geared towards increasing the international recognition of the Diplomas in Spanish.
Is it mandatory to have passed the Diploma in Spanish (Beginner Level) before applying for the Diploma in Spanish (Intermediate Level)?
No. The examinations leading to the Diplomas in Spanish are independent and candidates can freely choose the level and the certification that best meets their needs and interests. However, given that tests are administered simultaneously, it is not possible to sit more than one exam on a particular examination date.
Where can I register and take the examinations?
The registration for the examination of Diploma of Spanish can be carried out for you by Colegio de Estudios Hispanicos and the examination can be sat in Salamanca.
When are the results notified?
It will have 60 days, starting from the date on which the examinations are received, to evaluate the finished tests and issue the corresponding qualification records., Once these are approved by the Department of Diplomas will prepare the individual results letters and immediately send them to candidates via the Examination Centres in which they are registered.
It is the candidates' responsibility to keep their postal details up to date with their respective Examination Centre until they have received all the test documentation.
