DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) is the official accreditation of the degree of fluency of the Spanish Language issued and recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain.
Instituto Cervantes is the institution in charge of organising the DELE exam, while the University of Salamanca oversees the preparation, correction and final evaluation of all the tests.
Spanish Express DELE exam preparation lessons (online or face-to-face)
- DELE exam guidelines: our DELE exam preparation lessons consider the exam guidelines of the Instituto Cervantes
- DELE Levels: DELE A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
- Native Spanish teachers: native speaker from Spain or Latin America
- Native Spanish examiners: our teachers are DELE qualified examiners from the Instituto Cervantes
- DELE exam preparation course: we will review grammar, resolve specific grammar and vocabulary problems, study idiomatic expressions, discuss and analyse texts and drawings. Moreover, you will take past DELE exams papers and building listening, reading, and written comprehension, learn exam techniques, improve answering styles, and practice specific tasks to develop all the linguistic skills needed for the DELE exams. Moreover, our teacher-examiners will share with you heaps of insider tips to make sure you get the best preparation possible for your DELE exam!
DELEs are divided into 6 levels depending on the language level
- Diploma de Español A1 This diploma accredits the sufficient linguistic competence to understand and use daily expressions frequently used in any part of the Spanish-speaking world, aimed at satisfying immediate needs; asking and giving basic personal information about yourself and daily life and interacting on a basic level with speakers, whenever they are speaking slowly and clearly and are willing to cooperate.
- Diploma de Español A2 This diploma accredits that the candidate can understand daily phrases and expressions frequently used related to areas of experience which are particularly relevant to them (basic information about yourself and your family, shopping, places of interest, occupations, etc.).
- Diploma de Español (Nivel Inicial – B1) Intermediate-mid/threshold level
This diploma accredits enough knowledge of the language to allow control in situations which require an elementary use of the language. - Diploma de Español (Nivel Intermedio – B2) High-intermediate/Advanced levelThis diploma accredits the necessary knowledge of the language to allow communication in everyday situations which do not require specialized terms.
- Diploma de Español C1 This diploma)accredits enough linguistic competence to cope in common situations of daily life which require a specialized use of the language.
- Diploma de Español (Nivel Superior – C2) Superior levelThis diploma accredits an advanced knowledge of the language allowing communication in all situations requiring advanced use of the language and a knowledge of cultural background.
DELE exam format
DELE A1
Students of this level will have enough linguistic competence to engage in situations that require a basic level of communication.
- Reading comprehension (45 min)
- Listening comprehension (20 min)
- Written expression and interaction (25 min)
- Oral expression and interaction (30 min: 15+15)
DELE A2
Students of this level will have enough linguistic ability to understand a basic range of the commonly simple and immediate relevance of expressions used in the Spanish-speaking world (basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
- Reading comprehension (60 min.)
- Listening comprehension (35 min.)
- Written expression and interaction (50 min.)
- Oral expression and interaction (30 min: 15+15)
DELE B1
The DELE level B1 accredits the necessary linguistic competence to comprehend the salient points of clear texts and in standard tongue on questions known; describe experiences, events, wishes and desires; explain plans; and justify opinions in brief.
- Reading comprehension (70 min)
- Listening comprehension (40 min)
- Written expression and interaction (60 min)
- Oral expression and interaction (30 min: 15+15)
DELE B2
The DELE level B2 accredits the necessary linguistic competence to understand the main ideas of complex texts that treat subjects as much concrete as abstract, even if they are of a technical character, and produce clear texts and details on diverse subjects.
- Reading comprehension (70 min)
- Listening comprehension (40 min)
- Written expression and interaction (80 min)
- Oral expression and interaction (40 min: 20+20)
DELE C1
The DELE C1 guarantees that the progress of the student in the language has been a success and certifies more than an advanced level of Spanish.
This diploma certifies enough linguistic competence to:
- Understand a wide variety of long, quite demanding texts, as well as recognize implicit meanings in them.
- Express yourself fluently and spontaneously, without any obvious effort to find the right words.
- Use the language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
- And be able to produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on topics having a certain level of complexity, with correct use of mechanisms for organizing and articulating a cohesive text.
- Reading comprehension and use of language (90 min)
- Listening comprehension and use of language (50 min)
- Integrated skills: listening comprehension and written expression and interaction (80 min)
- Integrated skills: reading comprehension and oral expression and interaction (40 min: 20+20)
DELE C2
Students of this level will have the linguistic competence needed to engage in situations that require an advanced use of the Spanish language and a knowledge of Spanish culture.
- Use of language, Reading and Listening comprehension (105 min: 60+45)
- Integrated skills: Listening and Reading comprehension and written expression and interaction (150 min.)
- Integrated skills: Reading comprehension and Oral Expression and Interaction (50 min: 30+20)
Corresponding British Levels for DELE Diplomas
| DELE Diplomas | CEFR | NQF | General Qualifications | Language Ladder Stages | |
| DELE A1 | A1 | Entry Level | Entry 1, 2, 3 | Breakthrough: 1-3 | |
| DELE A2 | A2 | Level 1 | Foundation GCSE | Preliminary: 4-6 | |
| DELE B1 | B1 | Level 2 | Higher GCSE | Intermediate: 7-9 | |
| DELE B2 | B2 | Level 3 | AS/A/AEA | Advanced: 10-12 | |
| DELE C1 | C1 | Level 4-6 | BA Hons | Proficiency: 13-15 | |
| DELE C2 | C2 | Levels 7 & 8 | Masters & Doctorate | Mastery: 16 & 17 |
Abbreviations
DELE = Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (Spanish as a Foreign Language Diplomas)
CEFR = Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
NQF = National Qualifications Framework
NC = National Curriculum
DELE 2020 exam sessions at the Instituto Cervantes in London
- 15 May (written and oral exam), DELE for Young Learners: Levels A1 and A2/B1
- 16 May (written exam), 15/16 May (oral exam): Levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2*
- 10 July (written exam), 10/11 July (oral exam): Levels: A2, B1, B2, C1*
- 16 September (written and oral exam): Level A2
- 13 November (written and oral exam), DELE for Young Learners: Levels A1 and A2/B1
- 14 November (written exam), 13/14 November (oral exam): Levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2*
*Please note that the oral and written exams may not take place on the same day.
How to register for the DELE exams at the Instituto Cervantes in London
To register, you can enrol online https://cliclondres.cervantes.es/en/convocatorias. You can also enrol either in person at their school or send the necessary documents to aclon1@cervantes.es or seclon@cervantes.es and contact us on 0207 201 0750 to process the payment.