The DELE Exam
Many people who have taken or are taking Spanish have heard of the DELE exam, but they don’t know what it is, whether they should take it, and why it matters.
Well, first off, what is the DELE?
The DELE is the official, internationally recognized degree of fluency in Spanish. This test is made and issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport of Spain. There are three levels of this test depending on your Spanish ability; the basic level (usage of common daily phrases and basic descriptions), the intermediate level (rudimentary level of communication in everyday situations), and the superior level (advanced knowledge and communication in hard topics with a basic understanding of culture). This test is administered at various dates throughout the year and can be administered anywhere that is accredited by the Cervantes Institute.
Why take the DELE?
Great, another standardized test, right? Well, there are actually many reasons to take the DELE exam. As mentioned above, it is an internationally recognized degree. This means that across the world, companies and people will recognize that you have some level of fluency in Spanish, which can be important in future jobs. By passing this test, you have an internationally recognized certificate for your resume that can help you enter into the Spanish speaking job market or even get into universities that require a high level of the Spanish language. Finally, this test is just a one time thing. Since it never needs to be renewed, you only have to worry about it once. That means after the stress of taking it is over, you have an internationally recognized degree of fluency for life!
How does Expanish help prepare for the DELE?
As you may or may not know, Expanish has a DELE preparation course. This course focuses on helping students pass the DELE, with courses specifically designed for each level. If students plan on taking the Beginner Level DELE exam, then they will need about 8 weeks of classes before starting the A1 level course. These classes aim to help develop the four basic skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, which are all present on the DELE exam. Expanish uses a wide variety of materials since this test aims at testing students in all forms of Spanish, from Spain to any other Spanish speaking country. This course specifically coaches students for the exam, focusing on each area of evaluation. At the end of this course, students will be given a practice exam. With the practice exam, they will be able to test their knowledge and get a feel for the real exam.
How long is this course?
Again, if you’re taking the Beginner level, it is recommended that you take 3 weeks of Spanish classes beforehand. Once the DELE preparation is started, it is 10 hours per week of individual classes. While you can take it for only one week, it is recommended to take 3 weeks worth of classes. Remember to look up when the exam for your level is being administered and plan your courses accordingly!
If you’re taking Spanish, or thinking of working or studying in the Spanish speaking world, then the DELE exam is extremely important. Because this is an internationally recognized certificate, it is a very important degree to add to your resume. Not to mention, it is valid for life! So if you’re thinking about taking this exam, make sure you get the preparation necessary to the best you possibly can!