Which Is Better: DELE or SIELE?
Test your Spanish skills with the DELE and SIELE exams!
If you’re in the process of learning Spanish or even just starting, consider taking either of these exams to get proper certification. They may even help get you a better job or a paycheck upgrade.
In this article, we’ll explore all the information you need about these tests. Continue reading to see for yourself which option is best suited to your needs. Both the DELE and SIELE are endorsed by prestigious international organizations and universities around the world.
Also, you will find links to practice for these exams and the location of the examination centers near you.
¡Descubramos todo acerca de los exámenes SIELE y DELE!
Let’s discover everything about the SIELE and DELE exams!
SIELE Exam
The SIELE is the International Assessment Service for the Spanish Language or Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española. It’s an exam that certifies Spanish language proficiency endorsed by:
- The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
- Salamanca University (USAL)
- The Cervantes Institute (IC)
- Buenos Aires University (UBA)
The subjects of this Spanish exam and their duration are displayed in the table below. The contents of the SIELE exam at all levels (A1 to C1) matches the established standards of the European Council.
| Subject | Duration |
| Reading Comprehension (RC) | 60 minutes |
| Listening Comprehension (LC) | 55 minutes |
| Written Expression and Interaction (WEI) | 50 minutes |
| Oral Expression and Interaction (OEI) | 20 minutes |
You can take the test as a whole or partially by choosing one of these combinations:
- Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension and Written Expression and Interaction
- Listening Comprehension and Oral Expression and Interaction
- Oral Expression and Interaction
Check out: 10 Online Spanish Courses for Spanish Educators
Where and When Can You Take the SIELE?
The SIELE exam is exclusively digital. Students must take it at an authorized examination center. You receive the results three weeks after taking the test. There are no pre-set dates; instead, you choose when to take the SIELE.
Although the SIELE is fully electronic, you still have to go to an examination center.
See also: 10 Websites for You to Take a Spanish Fluency Test
Unique Benefits of the SIELE Exam
The SIELE is coordinated and promoted by four great institutions that ensure high-quality standards and include the linguistic variations among different kinds of Spanish according to their region—Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.
This exam is for you if you wish to cover many linguistic differences, which makes it the best preparation for:
- A teacher with Spanish-speaking students
- A person living in a Spanish-speaking country
- A traveler interested in Europe and Latin America
- Someone who wants to connect with Spanish-speaking foreigners in their own country
- Someone who wants to certify their Spanish knowledge
By passing the SIELE exam, you obtain an internationally recognized certificate with five years of validity. You also receive a full report that describes what students can do with the different levels and subjects. You can find online courses on the Cervantes Institute platform to prepare for the SIELE.
Handpicked for you: 6 Unique Spanish Language Programs at Universities in the United States
DELE Cervantes
The DELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language Diploma or Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) is an official title that certifies Spanish proficiency given by the Education and Professional Formation Ministry of Spain. The Cervantes Institute is in charge of the application and coordination of this certificate. The DELE is leveled with the European Common Reference Frame and the European Council and is divided into four main subjects: listening, writing, reading, and speaking.
Where and When Can You Take the DELE?
The DELE exam is administered via the Cervantes Institute and its network of over 1,000 examination centers across 100 countries. Not all dates apply to every center, so be sure to check in advance.
You have to solve it on paper on the test dates set by the institute. It is possible to apply to take any exam from level A1 to C2. It is very easy to sign up for the DELE exam, you have to register on the Cervantes Institute web page and make or access your account. From that point on, you just need to follow the instructions.
See also: Dialect vs Accent: Is It a Language, Dialect, or Accent?
Unique Benefits of the DELE Exam
One of the biggest benefits of the DELE exam is that it has no expiration date. Also the dates of the test are divided into ages. Some are meant exclusively for scholars. You might be interested if your kids were to apply. Of all elementary school language programs in the U.S., 88% teach Spanish.
The DELE is for you if you wish to certify yourself in Spanish as a second language. The tests are for students and anyone who wants to learn Spanish.
National Spanish Examinations
The National Spanish Examinations are motivational, online competitions meant to recognize the Spanish trajectory and linguistic achievements of students. The NSE measures performance in these subjects:
- grammar
- vocabulary
- listening comprehension
- reading comprehension
Students who receive honorable mentions and medals for their work can apply for four scholarships. During the process, teachers in charge receive periodic reports on the students’ strengths and weaknesses, look for specific indicators and progress.
Check out: How Do You Study for the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam?
Learn Spanish and Ace Your SIELE and DELE Exams
Learning Spanish is an amazing idea! It’s a way to advance your career, make your family bilingual, connect with more people, discover new cultures, and travel easier. It’s also a way to develop as a person.
Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the world (after Chinese) with 580 million speakers. There are around 53 million people who speak it in the U.S. alone, making it the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. No wonder it’s one of the most popular languages to learn at American schools.
Prepare for your SIELE and DELE tests by signing up for a free trial class today! Get in touch with Homeschool Spanish Academy to tailor a Spanish package that suits your needs and interests. Let us help you prepare to ace the SIELE and DELE exams! Practice with our certified, native-speaking teachers in individualized, flexible, online sessions. Check our affordable pricing and flexible programs.
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– Erica P. Parent of 1
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