DELE in Düsseldorf

General

DELE is the abbreviation for "Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera". DELE are official language certificates for Spanish language proficiency awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

Whether you work in an international company or abroad - foreign language skills are always a plus. Personnel managers take your DELE certificate, at which level you speak a language, your chances in the profession rise thereby definitely.

Competence

The University of Salamanca creates and evaluates these exams. The Instituto Cervantes takes care of the organizational part.

The DELE certificates are divided into six levels, which correspond to the six levels of competence (A1-C2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and are each dependent on the language level.

The special DELE expertise consists of competence and experience:

• the DELE test office in the field of linguistics and didactics
• the DELE validation center in psychometric analysis and quality assurance
• of the DELE service team audit processing with its customer focus and its implementation standards
• the DELE Evaluation Center, which guarantees a safe and efficient result assessment

Quality Features

DELE language exams are developed using the latest test methodology and the highest scientific standards. A constant check on the validity, reliability and objectivity of the tests ensures the highest level of quality.

DELE exam formats are based on the ALTE quality criteria and are regularly reviewed externally. They are based on a comprehensive needs analysis and thus represent the actual linguistic challenges of everyday life.

Special quality features are:

• the transparency of the requirements and thus fairness towards the participants
• the professional standardization of the test format
• the qualified licensing of the examiners
• the constant statistical assurance of a constant difficulty, selectivity and rater reliability

Recognition

The DELE certificates enjoy international  recognition. In Spain, DELE certificates are recognized by universities, public and private institutions as the official proof of Spanish language competence. The exams can be taken in Spain and in 100 different countries worldwide. Once issued, the certificate is valid indefinitely.

Diploma de Español (Level A2) DELE A2 - advanced language application

The Diploma de Español (Nivel A2) is proof of the following basic knowledge of the Spanish language: understanding everyday, simple and frequently used sentences and expressions that address different basic needs (providing basic information about yourself and the family, making purchases, Hobbies, leisure activities, work, etc.).

audit process

Judicial examination

• Reading comprehension: answering questions about informative texts (multiple-choice procedures). Selection of information from different texts based on a series of questions.

• Listening: Candidates hear five exercises on a tape recording, consisting of simple dialogues on common topics, telephone calls or radio clips containing everyday information. For these texts and situations, questions are to be answered in the multiple-choice procedure.

• Written expression: Composing three simple structured texts: filling out an application form between 50 and 60 words, writing a letter or a postcard and a short description or summary between 70 and 80 words.

Oral exam

1. Presentation of a topic (3-4 minutes)

2. Description of a photo (2-3 minutes)

3. Conversation with the examiner about a situation that relates to the photo described (3-4 minutes)

4. Entertainment and reaching an agreement

To prepare for the exam, the candidate will have 15 preparation time before the exam.

Diploma de Espaà ± ol (Nivel Inicial B1) DELE B1 - independent speech application

The certificate certifies that you have well-structured basic knowledge of the Spanish language and can communicate well verbally and in writing in everyday situations. They are able to communicate appropriately in every everyday situation.

The Diploma de Espaà ± ol (Nivel Inicial B1) is proof of basic knowledge of the Spanish language, which is necessary for verbal and written communication and allows to have simple structured discussions.

audit process

Judicial examination

• Reading comprehension: Five tasks with a total of 30 questions on different texts (advertisements, emails, newspaper articles, recipes, etc.).

• Listening: Five tasks with a total of 30 questions on short monologues, radio and television contributions, dialogues between two persons etc.

• Written expression: Based on a short text, a letter or a message (eg email) should be written in descriptive or narrative form (100-120 words). The candidate writes an essay (description or narration) to one of two available topics by expressing his opinion and communicating personal experiences (130-150 words).

Oral exam

1. Short presentation of one of two available topics (about 2-3 minutes).

2. Talk about the topic of task 1 with the examiner (3-4 minutes).

3. Short description of one of two available photographs (2-3 minutes)

4. Simulating an everyday situation with the examiner based on the photograph chosen in exercise 3 (2-3 minutes).

For the tasks 1 and 2 the candidate has 15 minutes preparation time.

Diploma de Español (Nivel Intermedio B2)

This level confirms sufficient language knowledge and understanding, both grammatical and vocabulary. They can easily communicate in everyday situations that do not require a specialized vocabulary.
The Diploma de Español (Nivel Intermedio B2) is considered as proof of very good general knowledge of the Spanish language, which are needed in the usual everyday situations.

audit process

Judicial examination

• Reading comprehension: Four tasks with a total of 36 questions on different texts from the private, professional and scientific field (letters to the editor, newspaper articles, business letters, travel guides, literary texts, etc.).

• Listening: Five tasks with a total of 30 questions on short monologues, interviews, dialogues between two persons, lectures, etc. from the private, professional and scientific field.

• Written expression: Based on a text, an essay in formal or informal style should be written by presenting ideas and arguments in a clear, detailed and well-structured manner (150-180 words). Speech style and specifications of the text genre should be considered.
  On the basis of a text or a graphic / table, a formal essay (eg letter to the editor of a journal or daily newspaper, blog) should be written with clear, detailed and well structured reasoning (150-180 words). There are two topics to choose from.

Oral exam

1. Lecture (4-5 minutes) on a problem, to which two topics are presented with a series of suggested solutions.

2. Short lecture (3-4 minutes) on one of two available situations (eg photo, ad).

3. Short, informal conversation with the examiner on a given topic (eg graphics) over 3-4 minutes.

For the tasks 1 and 2 the candidate has 20 minutes preparation time.

Diploma de Español (Nivel Superior C1)

The Diploma de Espaà ± ol (Nivel Superior C1) certifies the candidate very good language skills, which allow an understanding in any situation, even if they are abstract or complex subject areas.

audit process

Reading comprehension and speech application

• The candidate should understand both the core statement and specific data in general or professional texts (contracts, guides, brochures, reports, regulations, etc.) (650-750 words). To answer this question, there is a multiple-choice procedure with three predefined answer options.

• The candidate should complete the structure of a text by inserting text fragments in the correct order in the cloze text. He must understand the context of the individual text fragments and the structure of the text. These are literary texts (550-650 words). Six fragments must be used.

• The candidate must understand the textual content (550-650 words) and understand the intention or view of the author by recognizing his or her attitude as well as the implied or explicit opinion. These are reports, newspaper articles and reports from the professional and academic field. To answer this question, there is a multiple-choice procedure with three predefined answer options.

• In short texts from the academic field (short reviews, summaries of lectures, articles, etc.) specific data and information must be recognized (100-150 words). The texts have to be linked to short statements.

• Fourteen vocabulary gaps of a longer and more complex text (375-425 words) on specific topics in the professional or academic field (excerpts from journals, books or periodicals) must be filled with given answers.

Listening and speech applications. To be played:

• A lecture from the academic field: The task is to select six out of twelve possible answers.

• Four medium-length dialogues: Intentions, feelings and attitudes of the interlocutors are to be recognized and the answers given in the multiple-choice procedure.

• A long dialogue: key messages and specific contents should be recognized. The task is to answer the questions in the multiple-choice procedure.

• Ten short dialogues deal with everyday topics: the appropriate situation-related and sociolinguistic reactions of the interlocutors are to be determined and the questions answered in the multiple-choice procedure.

Integrated skills. Listening comprehension and written expression

• An audio example will be played. For example, a lecture or a conference: The task is to write an argumentative essay (220-250 words) using the notes made from what has been heard. The heard should be summarized and your own opinion integrated. Writing a formal text (220-250 words) z. B. in the form of a newspaper article or a letter to the editor.

Integrated skills. Reading comprehension and verbal expression

• The oral test consists of three tasks:

  • Presentation of a topic (3-5 minutes).

  • Entertainment about the topic presented (4-6 minutes).

  • Colloquial conversation: Negotiation (4-6 minutes).

For the preparation of tasks 1 and 2 the candidate has 20 minutes preparation time before the exam.

Diploma de Español (Nivel Superior C2)

At this level, they have a very good and advanced knowledge of the Spanish language. They are fluent in spoken and written language and able to cope with all social, academic and cultural conversational situations. The Diploma de Espaà ± ol (Nivel Superior C2) is proof of excellent knowledge of the Spanish language, which enables communication at a high level.

audit process

Speech application, reading comprehension and listening comprehension: This exam consists of three reading and three listening exercises (total 105 minutes)

• Twelve holes need to be filled in a complex text (300-400 words) using the multiple-choice method.

• A text (550-650 words) is completed by text fragments.

• Reviews from books, lectures, etc. (100-150 words) should be associated with short statements. A contribution from TV / Radio or an academic lecture (700 words). The basic idea as well as specific facts should be recorded and five out of twelve possible answers selected.

• An excerpt from a TV or radio discussion round. Certain utterances are to be assigned to the participating persons.

• A long, complex public or professional interview. The task is to answer the questions in the multiple-choice procedure.

Integrated skills. Listening comprehension, reading comprehension and written expression. Be written:

• Hearing and text examples provide suggestions for writing a text (400-450 words) from the public, academic or professional field (eg flyers).

• Conversion of a text (150-250 words) and its genre into another text form.

• Make a text (200-250 words) using graphics or a written example.

Integrated skills. Reading comprehension and oral expression (20 minutes)

• The oral test consists of three tasks:

• Presentation of a topic (6-8 minutes). Graphics such. Eg diagrams and two to three texts serve as preparation.

• Talk to the examiner about the topic presented (5-6 minutes).

• Headlines from the press are discussed with the examiner (5-6 minutes). For the preparation of tasks 1 and 2, the candidate has 30 minutes preparation time before the exam.