DELE reaches new heights!

Approximately 20,000 candidates across the world sat the DELE exam this month, the highest number ever recorded. The exams, which took place on the 19th and 20th of November, were held at examination centres in over 100 countries across five continents.

DELE, which stands for ‘Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera’, or Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language, is an official diploma issued by Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and is officially recognized on an international scale.

The first DELE exams were held in 1988, and since then more and more students have been inspired to sit the test. The staggering number of candidates who sat the final exam session of 2011 this month has certainly consolidated the continued increase in DELE enrolment. The total number of candidates for 2011 reached more than 64,000, which is a 9% increase from last year.

The number of people coming to Spain to DELE has also increased by 14% this year. In addition, this month saw several new countries from Africa and Asia hosting the DELE exams, which further highlights the fact that Spanish is becoming more and more important and influential on an international platform.

The DELE is split into six levels, each corresponding to a certain Spanish language proficiency described by the Common European Framework of References for Languages. The levels range from A1 (very basic range of the most simple expression) to C2 (advanced use of language and extensive knowledge of cultural customs embedded within the Spanish language).

The dates for next year´s DELE exams are: 25^th May, 26^th August and 9th November 2012. If you want to get your level of Spanish certified by sitting the DELE exam, all of don Quijote’s schools in Spain, as well as their school in Guanajuato, Mexico offer the opportunity to do so.

Without doubt, the best way for DELE exam preparation is to fully immerse yourself in the world of Spanish. Whether it’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city like Barcelona that appeals or a city brimming with fascinating culture and history such as Granada, don Quijote offers a great range of destinations to do a DELE exam preparation course.