DELE exams

[zuma022]

Has anyone here written any of the DELE exams? If so would you recommend it? Did it help you with anything? Are they just as recognised in Latin America as in Spain?

When I started learning Spanish 8 or so months ago I only wanted to learn enough to be able to communicate while travelling. But I really enjoy the language and want to learn it as well as possible. I think it would be kind of nice to have a certificate to show for.
And maybe more importantly to have a goal to work towards to. I remember when I did the IETLS way back when, the course I took was much more focused and organized than the random courses I took before and I felt I learned a lot more.
I know the DELE exists at all levels, but I think I'd have to shoot for at least a B2 for it to be useful in any way?

Anyways, any thoughts or experiences? Thanks so much.

[Sarita08]

I would also like to know about the DELE exams if anyone has taken them and what to expect. Hopefully somebody eventually responds to this! :)

I did some snooping around. Google DELE exam and you will get their website. Looks like you can choose the level at which you would like to be tested. But how do you decide what level you would do well at? You can view sample tests and see the difficulty of each. Personally, I think I could handle C2, but I'm too scared to try. Maybe I will see about doing it at the C1 leve instead. Check it out and tell me what you think.

[zuma022]

Since that post I have done quite a bit of research and have been working with a teacher towards the exam. I would love to do the C1, but it's too soon. I know I could pass the listening and reading comprehension, but the writing and oral parts aren't up to par yet. I'm scheduled for surgery next week, so depending on recovery I might do the B2 in May, otherwise I'll aim for C1 in the fall.

If you can handle the C2, I'd definitely go for it, there's still two months to prep for it. If you've got the level it's just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the exam structure. Here's a good link for the levels: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languag es

The Cervantes site has a level test here: http://ave.cervantes.es/prueba_nivel/default.htm
Though it should be taken with a grain of salt. I scored a C1.4 and I'm nowhere near that level in all aspects of the language. So I think the best indication is the sample tests. You need 70% to pass, should give you a good idea if you do a full one. For the oral part it's probably best to have a DELE teacher grade you. If you google it there are several that offer skype lessons.

[Premium]

I'm scheduled for surgery next week, so depending on recovery I might do the B2 in May, otherwise I'll aim for C1 in the fall.

I hope it's nothing serious and wish you all luck.

[Sarita08]

@zuma022

Thanks so much for the info and the suggestions! I don't think I'll do the May one, but possibly the later one this year. I'm not good with exams, I have major test anxiety. Even if I know answers, I get very nervous and I blank. I need ample time to prepare. Good luck with the exam, I hope you have an easy recovery. Post an update after everything is all done.

[zuma022]

@premium Danke! It's 'just' a rotator cuff repair, but the surgery freaks me out nonetheless.

@sarita08 I'm lucky that I don't suffer from exam anxiety, I'm sure I'll be very nervous for the oral portion though. I do think it helps if you know what to expect from the exam too. The Cronómetro books are quite good to give you an idea and they do a good job of explaining the whole test and developing strategies.

[Premium]

@premium Danke! It's 'just' a rotator cuff repair, but the surgery freaks me out nonetheless.

Kann ich sehr nachvollziehen. Hatte bei meiner Mutter auch extreme Angst, obwohl es nur ein Routineeingriff war.

[zuma022]

Kann ich sehr nachvollziehen. Hatte bei meiner Mutter auch extreme Angst, obwohl es nur ein Routineeingriff war.

Ja, ist wohl normal, egal der Eingriff. Ist ein bisschen doof bei mir weil sie nicht genau wissen, was gemacht werden muss bis sie drin sind. Und daher kann die Reha von 4 Wochen bis ca 6 Monate sein. Ich glaube, das stresst mich noch mehr an der ganzen Sache.

[Premium]

Ja, ist wohl normal, egal der Eingriff. Ist ein bisschen doof bei mir weil sie nicht genau wissen, was gemacht werden muss bis sie drin sind. Und daher kann die Reha von 4 Wochen bis ca 6 Monate sein. Ich glaube, das stresst mich noch mehr an der ganzen Sache.

Ist ja eigenartig wenn die nicht wirklich wissen was gemacht werden muss.
Mal hoffen, dass die Reha nicht allzu lange dauert.

[zuma022]

Ist ja eigenartig wenn die nicht wirklich wissen was gemacht werden muss.
Mal hoffen, dass die Reha nicht allzu lange dauert.

Sie haben einen Plan zum Glueck, aber muessen es zuerst aufmachen und anschauen und dann entscheiden ob es auch wirklich so geht. Aber nach Plan waeren es etwa 4 Monate, was wahrscheinlich heissen wuerde die Pruefung im naechsten Winter zu machen. Aber mal schauen

[Premium]

Sie haben einen Plan zum Glueck, aber muessen es zuerst aufmachen und anschauen und dann entscheiden ob es auch wirklich so geht. Aber nach Plan waeren es etwa 4 Monate, was wahrscheinlich heissen wuerde die Pruefung im naechsten Winter zu machen. Aber mal schauen

Naja das Handgelenk ist ja immer so 'ne Sache. Vier Monate sind aber ganz schön lange, mal hoffen, dass es nicht so lange dauern wird. Bei meiner Mutter war es halt der Finger, musste einige Monate im Krankenstand bleiben aber so ist das halt.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Bitte nur Englisch oder Spanisch im Tomisimo! Es gibt ein Forum für Deutsch und andere Sprache. ;)


@Zuma: I don't know about other countries, but I think certification is usually not required in Mexico for many activities, unless you intend to develop an academic career. And still, many universities don't even ask for an official diploma, I'm afraid because they don't even know they exist. ;(
Still, it will be good for you to test your capabilities and show your certifications whenever you'll need them.

Que todo salga bien en tu operación. :)

[zuma022]

@Angelica Oops sorry, got carried away in German. I don't really need the certificate for anything other than wanting a piece of paper to show my Spanish level. It's mostly for myself, I need a bit of pressure to really focus. Though I am a little surprised that the universities wouldn't have a language requirement, but I suppose it's your own problem if you can't follow the course.
Muchas gracias!

@premium It's actually the shoulder not the wrist, but same difference I guess.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Although it is true that in some cases it's the student's individual problem to follow the course, some universities ask students to write a motivation letter in Spanish and sometimes they also make a little oral interview (it used to be by telephone, but maybe now they do it through Skype), so their general capabilities (Spanish included) can be evaluated.
As far as I know, the Universidad Nacional (UNAM) asks foreign students to make a Spanish test among the other exams they use to evaluate students' skills, to be sure they can follow the courses.
Still, I think that having an official certification would simplify a lot all these procedures. :)

[zuma022]

That makes sense, thanks for the information. I don't really have any plans to go to a university again, but I still find it fascinating. And you never know, right?
In any case, like you say having a piece of paper proving a skill never hurts.