The Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) are official qualifications, which certify the level of competence and proficiency in using the Spanish language. The Instituto Cervantes awards them on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

The Diplomas are available at three levels: Nivel Inicial (Beginner level); Nivel Intermedio (Intermediate level); and Nivel Superior (Proficiency level).

C2	Maestría	DELE Nivel Superior
C1	Dominio Operativo Oficial
B2	Avanzado	DELE Nivel Intermedio
B1	Umbral	DELE Nivel Inicial
A2	Plataforma
A1	Acceso

Anglia Ruskin University is an accredited DELE Examination Centre, providing preparation courses for the DELE examinations.

General candidate requirements

Candidates who wish to sit the DELE examination must fulfil the following requirements:

1) At the time of enrolment, show written proof of citizenship of a country whose official language is not Spanish

2) Citizens of Spanish-speaking countries, resident in states where Spanish is not an official language may apply to sit the examination if they fulfil at least two of the following conditions (a written declaration is required):

• Spanish is not the mother tongue of either parent
• Spanish is not the first language the candidate learnt
• Spanish is not the candidate's habitual language for communicating
• The candidate has not studied part or all of his/her Primary or Secondary education in Spanish

Deciding your level

If you wish to find out which level DELE would be appropriate for you to sit, you can arrange a placement test at the Instituto Cervantes. We recommend you visit the Instituto Cervantes to do this in person. However, if this is not convenient a telephone placement test can be arranged. To avoid queuing, please make an appointment for your 15-minute test by telephoning 0207 245 0621.

Enrolment for a DELE examination

Enrolment forms for the sitting of a DELE examination will be processed through Anglia Ruskin University.

In order to enrol it is necessary to provide the following documentation, which should be forwarded to Alicia Peña-Calvo at Anglia Ruskin University (contact details above):

• Fully completed registration form.
• Two photocopies of an identification document (e.g. passport). The document must include a photograph, full name, nationality and date of birth. Information on the registration form must correspond with that on the identification document.
• Signed declaration, if applicable (see General candidate requirements, above).

Once enrolled, a candidate will receive a stamped copy of the enrolment form, on which will appear his/her assigned enrolment number. The candidate will be sent by post an official attendance notification detailing the place, date and time of the DELE examination. Please see the DELE website for full details on how to register.

Examination Fees

Please see the DELE website for details of examination prices. Candidates enrolled on a DELE preparatory course at Anglia Ruskin, are entitled to a 30% examination fee discount.

Examination Format

The DELE examinations are made up of five papers, each one consisting of different exercises. To obtain the DELE qualification at the Beginner, Intermediate or Proficiency level, the candidate must achieve a 'pass' result in all five papers in one exam sitting.

More specific information on each level of examination is available at the DELE website.

Sample examination papers

You can find sample examination papers on the DELE and Centro Virtual Cervantes websites.

Useful reading

The following books are useful for DELE preparation:

Diploma Inicial:
M. Monte and others, 'El cronómetro. Manual de preparación del DELE ( Nivel Inicial)', Edinumen, Madrid, 2007.
M. Baralo, B. Gilbert y B. Moreno de los Ríos, 'Preparación Certificado Inicial Español Lengua Extranjera', Edelsa, Madrid.

Diploma Intermedio:
P. Alzugaray and others, 'Preparación Diploma Intermedio Español Lengua Extranjera. Nivel B2', Edelsa, Madrid, 2006.
T. García and others, 'El cronómetro. Manual de preparación del DELE(Nivel Intermedio)', Edinumen, Madrid,2005.

Diploma Superior:
P. Alzugaray and others, 'Preparación Diploma Superior Español Lengua Extranjera (C2)', Edelsa, Madrid, 2007.
T. García and others, 'El cronómetro. Manual de preparación del DELE ( Nivel Superior)', Edinumen, Madrid, 2005.

Examination dates

See dates of the DELE examinations in 2008.

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