Observations on the DELE Oral Exam

As Spanish language teachers, we are inevitably faced with certain situations when helping our students prepare for a successful DELE exam that make us step back and rethink what we are doing. Often, to help our students succeed, we will often find that in addition to helping them progress in the areas of verbal, written and reading comprehension; we will find ourselves taking on the role of a therapist. This means that we must also assist them with overcoming fears and anxieties that we know so well whenever an important exam is waiting for us around the corner.

Of all the parts of the DELE exam the one that most often produces the greatest amount of stress among the test takers (and I'm speaking from experience) is the oral expression and interaction test. The solitude of the candidate and the feeling of helplessness while having to produce a forced conversation and monologue with a complete stranger can be overwhelming. Not only that, the student is acutely aware that success or failure of the exam depends upon passing this part of the DELE exam. With all of this pressure it is normal for ones nerves to fray and there always exists the possibility that the test taker can lose control of the situation. Sincerely, if I were in the same situation I'm not sure how I would react considering all the pressure and uneasiness this situation produces.

Talking in the classroom to those students who are preparing the DELE (especially with those students in the lower levels whose knowledge of the language isn't sufficient enough to correctly understand  and comprehend the documents that the Cervantes Institute offers in Spanish explaining the contents of the different DELE exams) about the different parts of the exam and what they will be expected to know produces a very positive effect. Here the students will find exactly what will be expected of them in the four areas that comprise the oral part of the exam which eliminates the surprise factor that always makes us uncomfortable before taking an exam.

Students at the A1 and A2 levels commonly feel that they don't know enough Spanish which makes them especially nervous. This is why it is important for us to talk to them about the contents of the test using the guides provided by the Cervantes Institute to help make it clear to them the method of scoring that will be used. If we look at the PDF guide provided by the Cervantes Institute for their A2 DELE exam, on pages 16 to 18, they use   analytical and holistic scales to determine language understand that are clearly directed toward the examiners. Another important aspect of the test that should be talked about is the way it is carried out. Often, in the oral exam, there are two examiners present in the classroom during the test. One of the examiners is responsible for interacting with the student and the other, usually located out of sight of the student, is responsible for the analytical evaluation.

One important point to transmit to our nervous oral examinees is that it is in no one's interest to fail the candidates. We should review with them the two scales mentioned above along with explaining what is considered a nivel de suficiencia (page 25 of our A2 level PDF guide, box 2 on both charts) to show them that, with proper preparation, it is more than possible to pass the oral part of the DELE exam.

Knowing the contents as well as the objectives of the DELE exam beforehand will help the candidate feel more secure before taking on what is probably the most difficult part of the exam. With all of this in mind, it is important not to lose sight of a bit of everyday wisdom: sometimes the things we fear the most are the things we don't know.