Spanish is the world’s second most widely spoken first language, with 329 million native speakers. Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language, with at least 3 million native speakers in 44 countries. This language is rapidly gaining popularity and therefore the necessity of Spanish language exams and certifications to study in colleges in Europe is gaining importance. To get admission into a Spanish college or University you are required to meet certain language proficiency standards.
The Spanish Language Proficiency Test is a standardized test that evaluates a person’s ability to communicate in Spanish. The exam assesses if you possess the essential language skills to succeed. It is a method of demonstrating a person’s capacity to communicate in Spanish. The Spanish language proficiency exam certifications and diplomas are recognized as a qualification by employers and further education institutions in many countries. There are mainly two Spanish language proficiency exams which are the “DELE” and the “SIELE” examinations.
DELE
What is DELE?
Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) is the Spanish language proficiency certificate awarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain. The exam is administered by the Instituto Cervantes (a non-profit institution founded by the Government of Spain for the promotion of Spanish culture) and evaluated by the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. DELE certifies the linguistic aptitude of the candidate at six levels from A1 through C2, corresponding with the levels enumerated in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The exam is a four-part assessment of the candidate’s reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression and oral expression.
Why should you write DELE?
- DELE is an official and internationally-recognized attestation of proficiency in the Spanish language
- The certificate has lifetime validity
- DELE is an important credential for students wishing to study in countries where Spanish is the official language
- DELE is a valuable asset to one’s CV and opens education, internship and employment opportunities in the Hispanic world
Where?
There are 6 official centers for the DELE exam in India:
- New Delhi
- Chennai
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Jaipur
- Mussoorie
How ?
Candidates are required to register for the exam and pay the fees as per the instructions given by the preferred center. For students below the age of 18, who may appear for DELE school diplomas, additional documents in the form of guardian’s authorization will have to be furnished.
Exam Fees
According to the Instituto Cervantes, New Delhi, the price of the exam (as of 2021 is as follows:
Exam Format
For levels A1 to B2, the exam is organized in two segments, worth 50 marks each:
Group 1
- Reading comprehension test
- Written expression and interaction test
Group 2
- Listening comprehension test
- Oral expression and interaction test
The number of tasks and the amount of time allotted vary with the level. Candidates must secure a minimum of 30 marks in each section i.e.60 marks totally to clear the exam.
For levels C1 and C2, which call for advanced proficiency, the exam is organized in two parts:
Group 1
Test 1- Reading comprehension and use of language
Test 3- Integrated skills (listening comprehension, written expression, interaction)
Group 2
Test 2- Listening comprehension and use of language
Test 4- Integrated skills (reading comprehension, oral expression, interaction)
The number of tasks and the amount of time allotted vary with the level. Candidates must secure a passing grade in each of the tests and a minimum of 30 marks in each group to clear the exam.
Source: https://www.dele.org/
SIELE
What is SIELE ?
Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española (SIELE) is a certificate that attests the Spanish language proficiency of a candidate. It is promoted by the Instituto Cervantes and universities such as the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Like DELE, SIELE assesses reading and listening compression and oral and written expression, using the CEFR as reference.
It is a single, multilevel, digitally administered exam that certifies a candidate based on the level of aptitude demonstrated in a single test. In other words, candidates need not register under levels such as A1 or B1, but simply try to get the best possible score on the common test.
Why should you write SIELE?
The advantages of SIELE certification are much like those of DELE. However, an important difference is that SIELE certificates are valid for a period of five years, where DELE has lifelong validity.
SIELE accommodates the various dialects and regional variations of Spanish and is well-suited for candidates interested in Latin America.
Where?
SIELE has multiple centers in India:
- New Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Kolkata
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Gwalior
- Dehradun
- Pune
- Ahmedabad
- Nagpur
- Karnal
- Thane
How?
Candidates may register for the exam online, which is offered year-round. There is also an option for candidates to select the competencies or modules (reading comprehension/listening comprehension/written expression and/or spoken expression) that they wish to be tested for.
Exam Fees
SIELE Global (all the modules), the fee is 135 Euros
For various combinations of the four modules, the fee varies from 45 to 75 Euros.
Exam Format
Source: https://siele.org/en/examen