DELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language) diplomas are the only qualifications of an international nature issued by the Ministry of Education and Science and are recognised throughout the world by companies, chambers of commerce and public and private educational systems alike. It should be noted here that they are relevant primarily to the fields of education and work. The Instituto Cervantes is working to ensure that the Spanish diplomas receive greater international recognition, in particular through a series of joint, bilateral committees to promote scientific, technical, cultural and educational cooperation which, in accordance with the various cooperative agreements currently in force, will be held every two or three years, according to requirements and to the evolution of the cooperation programmes and projects approved. These meetings will be held alternately in each of the signatory countries.
In some countries, the DELE system has been adopted by educational authorities and official teaching institutions as a complement to their own evaluation programmes.
The Spanish diplomas serve both as complementary qualifications to the official foreign language-learning programmes operated by many educational centres and as a tool for personal advancement in the academic and professional fields. The Spanish diplomas are ideal for those in search of promotion at work or access to education in both in Spain and in the 90 countries where these exams are staged.

DIPLOMA SPECIFICATIONS FOR EACH LEVEL

• The Starter Level Spanish Diploma certifies a level of ability similar to that normally attained by the end of compulsory secondary education. In the work context, this diploma indicates that the user can get by in predictable situations and contexts which do not involve taking decisions.
  
  
• The Intermediate Level Spanish Diploma certifies a level of ability similar to that attained prior to entering higher education (pre-university course or similar). In the work context, this diploma certifies that the user can get by in familiar situations and contexts and carry out routine tasks with a certain degree of self sufficiency, though he/she may require the assistance of a native speaker in certain cases.
  
  
• The Higher Level Spanish Diploma certifies a level of ability similar to that attained by the end of higher education (Spanish Philology graduates). In the work context, this diploma certifies that the user can get by in all manner of situations and contexts, as well as carrying out tasks that may involve taking decisions and using more complex, sophisticated language.
  

VALUE OF THE SPANISH DIPLOMAS IN SPAIN

1. Students who, having already obtained the Higher Level Spanish Diploma, subsequently enter the Spanish educational system via the ratification of studies carried out abroad will not be required to sit the corresponding Spanish language tests.
2. Citizens of other European Union states and other foreign nationals who, having fulfilled the requirements established by the legislation currently in force, apply for posts available in general State administration, any of its public bodies, Social Security management and services or the administrative departments of the sanitary institutions that make up the National Health Service who possess the Intermediate or Higher Level Spanish Diploma will not be required to sit the relevant Spanish language tests corresponding to the levels of the aforementioned diplomas.
3. The DELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language) diplomas are considered sufficient proof of knowledge of the Spanish language for any professional or academic activity in Spain for which the corresponding level of knowledge is required.

First additional clause:

The Intermediate Level Spanish Diploma grants the bearer access to the upper cycle of the first level of special regime education at the country’s official language schools.

In 2005, the leading Spanish companies in the international sphere (Telefónica, Endesa, Repsol YPF, Grupo Santander, Fundación MAPFRE, Prosegur and Grupo Calvo) officially recognised DELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language) diplomas as proof of knowledge of the Spanish language in personnel selection processes for those applicants whose first language is not Spanish. Said companies will also promote the obtainment of these diplomas by those employees whose first language is not Spanish in the belief that the acquisition and development of Spanish are crucial both for the worker and the company alike.
The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) also subscribes to this recognition.

The major institutions of higher education, along with international cooperation agencies and foundations, insist that candidates applying for awards, grants and other forms of aid whose first language is not Spanish possess the DELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language) diploma.

VALUE OF THE DIPLOMAS ABROAD

Below is a summary containing several examples of the recognition enjoyed by the DELE diplomas in various foreign countries:

Brazil.
The Higher-Level Spanish Diploma has been recognised by Brazil’s Ministry of Education and Science since 1997 and is officially accepted as a qualification for Spanish teaching posts. The Intermediate Level Spanish Diploma is a requisite for applicants seeking grants to study in Spanish-speaking countries.

Bulgaria.
The DELE diplomas are recognised by the University of Sofia. They are also accepted by other universities as proof of the student’s knowledge of Spanish.

France.
The educational authorities in the region of Brittany subsidise applications by students in secondary and higher education to sit the DELE exams.

Greece.
The DELE diplomas are recognised by the Greek educational and administrative authorities alike as proof of academic and professional merit. They also facilitate access to civil service posts.

Hungary.
The DELE diplomas are recognised by the ITK (Higher Foreign Language Centre) in Budapest.

Ireland.
The Irish Ministry of Education recognises the DELE diplomas by virtue of the agreements subscribed to by the joint Hispano-Irish committee for cultural cooperation.

Italy.
By virtue of the agreement signed by the Spain’s Ministry of Education and Science and the Instituto Cervantes with Italy’s Ministerio della Publica Istruzzione in 2000, students in compulsory secondary education in the latter country can request subsidies to sit the Starter Level DELE Diploma and thus enhance their school qualifications. Similarly, the Campus One project awards the bearer the equivalent value of the Spanish diplomas when calculating the credits that are required for some University studies.

The Philippines.
The DELE diplomas are recognised by the French School in Manila, the National Development Authority (NEDA) and Philippine universities as a valid qualification for those employees of the aforementioned institutions wishing to obtain a grant for postgraduate studies in Spain.

South Korea.
The Korean Ministry of Education recognises the diplomas by virtue of the agreements subscribed to by the joint Hispano-Korean committee for cultural cooperation, which convenes every two years.