CertificaTions of Instituto Cervantes in manila
In addition to teaching the Spanish language and training Spanish teachers, Instituto Cervantes is an international leader in assessing and certifying knowledge of our language.
At its facilities, Instituto Cervantes offers its students and all interested individuals the opportunity to officially certify their knowledge of the Spanish language.
Through our institution, official examinations are conducted to obtain the most internationally prestigious titles of Spanish proficiency: the DELE Spanish Diplomas and the SIELE (International Assessment Service for the Spanish Language) certificate.
Assessment and Certification of the Spanish Language
The DELE Spanish Diplomas
The DELE Spanish Diplomas are certifications issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
Exams are offered from levels A1 through C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CEFR), and candidates can choose which level they wish to take.
DELE certificates are valid indefinitely and are internationally recognized. These internationally recognized DELE certificates attest to the level of proficiency a candidate has achieved, regardless of where or when they studied Spanish.
Each exam consists of four sections and is administered on paper at an exam center on specific dates announced annually by the Instituto Cervantes.
Results are published within approximately two months, and candidates can access them through the DELE Spanish Diplomas portal and print their official score report from their restricted-access account.
More information about the DELE Spanish language diplomas.
International Assessment Service for the Spanish Language (SIELE)
The SIELE certifies proficiency in the Spanish language for young people and adults who speak Spanish as a foreign language, a second language, or a native language.
It is developed and endorsed by the Instituto Cervantes (IC), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the University of Salamanca (USAL), and the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), and ensures the strong representation of various linguistic varieties of Spanish.
It offers the option to take the full exam or just certain sections if the candidate wishes to demonstrate proficiency in specific aspects of the language.
Both registration and the exam itself are conducted online, and candidates choose the date and time they wish to take the exam.
Results are received within a maximum of three weeks, and candidates can print their certificate or report—which is valid for five years—directly from the online application.
Find out all the information about SIELE.
Differences and similarities between DELE and SIELE
The DELE diploma and the International Assessment Service for the Spanish Language (SIELE) are two complementary services in the range of examinations offered by the Instituto Cervantes to meet the diverse needs of users. Both are internationally recognized and are endorsed by prestigious institutions that guarantee quality standards and good practices.
The DELE diploma is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training has no expiration date and has been vested since its beginnings in 1989. Exams are offered from levels A1 through C2 in accordance with the CEFR. The candidates select which level they would like to be tested in ahead of time. Each exam consists of four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), which are done in authorized test centers, and during predetermined exam dates and schedules. DELE offers exams for school-age children, youth, and adults that speak Spanish as a native, second or foreign language.
The results are published approximately two months after the exam and candidates can access them through the website https://examenes.cervantes.es/es and print the official grade certification from their restricted access.
The SIELE certifies the level of mastery of the Spanish language for the youth and adults alike; those who speak Spanish as a second or foreign language, as well as for native speakers. Launched in 2016, it was promoted and supported by the Cervantes Institute (IC), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the University of Salamanca (USAL), and the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) ensuring a strong presence of multiple Spanish variations. It offers the possibility of completing a full exam consisting of four segments (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), or a partial exam that certifies a particular set or sets of language skills.
SIELE exams, as well as its corresponding administrative processes are done electronically. The test is taken in one of the authorized testing centers available on dates previously stipulated by the center or by request. Results are given within three weeks, and candidates may print certificates or reports using their access provided in the SIELE website. The results are valid for five years.
The following table reflects the differences and similarities between DELE and SIELE (International Assessment Service for the Spanish Language):
Differences and similarities between DELE and SIELE
| POINT OF INTEREST | DELE | SIELE |
| Description | Diploma of Spanish language level-mastery according to the CEFR (A1-C2) | Certificate of proficiency in Spanish on a point-scale equivalent to the A1-C1 CEFR levels |
|---|---|---|
| Entity | The Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. The Instituto Cervantes has managed the academic, financial and administrative aspects since 2002 | The Instituto Cervantes, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University of Salamanca, and University of Buenos AiresAires |
| Year Launched | 1989 | 2016 |
| Origin | Spain | Spain, Mexico y Argentina |
| Validity | Indefinite | Five years after test |
| International recognition | Internationally recognized in nationally regulated education systems (Brazil, France and Italy), in schools, businesses, universities, etc. In Spain: Spanish citizenship, MIR, FIR, etc. | Internationally recognized in the SIELE higher education institutions |
| Administration and marketing management | Instituto Cervantes | A technology and marketing company selected through a competitive bidding process: Telefónica Educación Digital |
| Candidates | Spanish speakers as a native, second or foreign language (school-level, youth, and adult) | Spanish speakers as a native, second or foreign language (youth, and adult) |
| Testing | On paper, in authorized testing centers, through predetermined set exam dates. | Electronically in testing centers on dates previously stipulated by the center or by request. |
| Examination sites | Over 1000 testing centers in over 100 countries and five continents | Currently the network has more than 70 examination centers in the world. The incorporation of new centers is continuous so it is advisable to visit the site https://www.siele.org/ |
| Integration of Spanish varieties | Yes, especially after the B1 level | Yes, this is required in all levels of exam |
| Compliance with international standards in certification | Yes | Yes |
| Number of exams and levels | Six exams for adults: A1-C2 Two school-level exams: A1 and A2/B1 |
One adult exam which include tasks ranging from A1-C1 |
| Test sections | Reading Comprehension Listening Comprehension Written Expression Oral Expression |
Reading Comprehension Listening Comprehension Written Expression Oral Expression |
| Information about results | Pass or fail outcomes based on the level at which the candidate is tested | Results of knowledge-levels of the Spanish language based on a scale of 1000 points, equivalent to the CEFR |
| Type of certificate issued | Electronic certification of official qualifications. Official diploma for successful candidates |
Results Certificate (full exam) or Report (partial exam), depending on the type of exam taken |
| Result notifications | Maximum of two months | Maximum of three weeks |
Information brochure on the differences between DELE y SIELE (PDF in Spanish)
Functionality error - For this to work correctly, the "contenedor-relacionado-movil-boton-tarjetas-max" class used for the mobile container must only be used once on this page.
Component with no function - Add any element you want to move to a different position in mobile view to this area.
-
Prepare your DELE Exam
The Instituto Cervantes in Manila offers preparation courses for the DELE Spanish language diplomas.
These courses are not required for registration in the DELE exam, but they are recommended so that students can become familiar with the format and test components of the DELE Spanish language diploma exams.
Students enrolled in DELE preparation courses are entitled to a 20% discount on the official exam registration fee.
-
Certify your Spanish levelThe SIELE is a proficiency exam that certifies a person’s level of competence in the Spanish language. It uses a point scale that corresponds to levels A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
DADIC Diplomas
The Instituto Cervantes’ teaching accreditation diplomas (DADIC) are valid indefinitely and are widely recognized both nationally and internationally; they also have the support of Spain’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
There are three types of DADIC diplomas issued by the Instituto Cervantes: DADIC del Instituto Cervantes son tres:
- DADIC Autonomous. This certifies that the holder possesses the basic competencies necessary for the professional practice of teaching Spanish as a foreign language (ELE) for general purposes.
- DADIC Expert. This certifies that the teacher who holds it can effectively carry out their teaching activities in various contexts of ELE teaching and learning, actively participating in the institution where they work.
- DADIC Trainer. This certifies that the teacher who holds it can plan, develop, analyze, and adjust activities for the training and professional development of ELE teachers or future ELE teachers.