The DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) and the SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) are two official diplomas from the Instituto Cervantes that allow you to officially certify your level of Spanish.
Both measure your level of Spanish proficiency in the 4 main communication activities of the tongue:
-Reading comprehension
-Auditive comprehension
-Written expression and interaction
-Oral expression and interaction
La evaluation is done according to the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Both certifications are internationally recognized. Obtaining one of them can give a boost to your personal and professional development and in this way, highlight your training among other curricula.
Below, we present the main characteristics of each certification:
| DELE | SIELE | |
| LEVELSthat certify and evaluate | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2on a level of CEFR | A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1on a level of CEFR |
| ORGANISMwho grants the title | Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain.The Cervantes Institute endorses this certification. | Cervantes Institute, Autonomous University of Mexico,University of Salamanca, University of Buenos Aires |
| START DATEAND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 1989International recognitionin regulated educational systems in Brazil, France and Italy. In Spain: FIR, Spanish nationality, MIR and also in companies, institutions and universities | 2006International recognition of the SIELE higher education institutions |
| EXPIRATION AND VALIDITY | Indefinite | 5 years |
| CANDIDATE PROFILE | schoolchildren, youth and adults | youth and adults |
| DELE | SIELE | |
| CALLS | 7 throughout the yearthe months of February, April, May, July, September, October and November. Not all levels. | Flexible datesat the choice and availability of the candidate and examination center |
| DESCRIPTIONOF THE TESTS | Certifies and evaluates the 4 communicative activities of the language:READING COMPREHENSION (CL) LISTENING COMPREHENSION (CA) WRITTEN EXPRESSION AND INTERACTION (EIE) ORAL EXPRESSION AND INTERACTION (EIO) | SIELE GLOBAL: the 4 communication activitiesSIEL 1: (CL) +(CA)SIEL 2: (CL) + (EIE)SIEL 3: (CA) + (EIO)SIEL 4: (EIO)SIEL 5: (EIE) + (EIO) |
| FEES | Variable according to level2021 LEVEL A1: 108€ LEVEL A2: 130€LEVEL B1: 160€ LEVEL B2: 190€LEVEL C1: 205€ LEVEL C2: 220€ | Variable and according to testsGLOBAL SIELE: 155€ The price of the rest of the modalities is different according to tests and country.More information in siele.org |
| RESULTSYTITLE | Result: PASS or FAIL on the level of the test. Term: communicates at approximately 3 months Digital Certificate with 2 documents:electronic certificate with official validitydiploma | Result: on a point scale. Term: reported at 3 weeks Digital Certificate for SIELE GLOBALSIEL report for the rest of modalities and according to tests carried out. |
| DURATIONTESTS Abbreviations:-CL: reading comprehension-AC: auditive comprehension-EIE: written expression and interaction-EIO: oral expression and interaction | DELECLCAEIAOIEA145 min25 min25 min10 min(10 min prepare)A260 min40 min45 min12 min(12 min prepare)B170 min40 min60 min15 min(15 min prepare)B270 min40 min80 min20 min(20 min prepare)C190 min50 min80 min20 min(20 min prepare)C2CL+ AC: 105 minCA+LC+EIE: 150 min30 min(20 min prepare) | SIELECLCAEIAOIE60 min55 min50 min15 min More information:https://www.siele.org |
| More information:https://examenes.cervantes.es/dele/ |
- WHERE CAN YOU APPLY FOR THE TESTS?
On the Cervantes website, find the list of accredited centers to take the DELE and SIELE, both centers in Spain and abroad. They can be: Cervantes Institutes, universities, chambers of commerce, institutes or private language schools.
- HOW DO I CHOOSE MY LEVEL?
If you are not sure which level to choose, we recommend taking a private lesson with one of our teachers, at our school o en línea.
In this session you will be able to have a complete level test and know your mastery in the four language skills. The teacher can advise you at what level to present yourself and how to prepare. Later, if you want to take more classes with us, the teacher will prepare a personalized learning plan for you.
- HOW TO PREPARE THE TEST?
On the Cervantes website you will be able to download material to practice. If you want to prepare the DELE, you will find here sample exams from previous calls, answer sheet templates and solution key.
If you prepare for the SIELE, you can take the preparation courses offered by the Instituto Cervantes from its platform.
- LACUNZA IH DELE EXAM CENTER
Lacunza IH has been a DELE examination center for 14 years and therefore, you can take the exam at this school, with the confidence that experience provides, both in the administration of the test, as well as in advising and preparing candidates.
For this reason, and to maximize your chance of success, we offer a DELE exam preparation course. In the morning, you will be able to improve your general Spanish level in group classes and then, in the afternoon, you will prepare for the DELE test with one of our specialist teachers. He or she will guide you and give you keys and resources to carry out and manage your time on the day of the exam. All this with specific materials and samples similar to those you will find in the real exam, because some of the keys to success for this exam are: time management and self-confidence.
