Compare the DELE, SIELE, AAPPL and university certificates side by side, then find an exam centre or prep class near you. Every centre and course on this page was checked on 31 October 2026.
Pick the exam that fits your goal, book a date and prepare with a local teacher. No sign-up, no fees.
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The DELE diploma is issued by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education. It covers six levels from A1 to C2 and never expires.
The SIELE is a computer-based exam you can book at many times of year. Results arrive within weeks and the certificate is valid for five years.
Schools use tests such as the ACTFL AAPPL to measure progress. Strong results can count toward a State Seal of Biliteracy on a high school diploma.
University extension programs offer certificates built from a series of Spanish courses. They suit learners who want structured classes as well as a credential.
Each DELE exam tests one level, from A1 to C2, across reading, listening, writing and speaking. Pass and you hold a lifetime diploma that employers, universities and the Spanish government recognise.
Exams run on set dates a few times a year at authorised centres.
The SIELE was created by Instituto Cervantes with the University of Salamanca, UNAM in Mexico and the University of Buenos Aires. One exam scores you across all levels instead of pass or fail at a single level.
You sit it on a computer at an approved centre and can choose the full exam or single parts.
The AAPPL from ACTFL measures how well school-age learners use Spanish in real tasks. Many schools use it, or tests like it, to award a State Seal of Biliteracy at graduation.
Adults and students outside school programs can apply for the Global Seal of Biliteracy using an accepted test.
The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview is a recorded conversation with a certified tester. Employers in healthcare, government and education often ask for it when a job needs spoken Spanish.
Extension schools offer certificates made up of required and elective Spanish courses, often ending with a proficiency exam. They take longer than a single test but include teaching, feedback and a transcript.
Pick the DELE if you want a credential that never expires, or the SIELE if you need results quickly. Ask the employer which test they accept before you book.
Most applicants for Spanish nationality must pass the DELE at A2 or above, plus the CCSE culture test. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are usually exempt, so check the current rules first.
Universities in Spain often ask for a B2 DELE or an equivalent SIELE score. Colleges in the US may give credit for exam results, so check with the admissions office.
Ask the school which test it uses for the State Seal of Biliteracy and when it is offered. Students often sit it in junior or senior year.
A lower-level DELE such as A2 or B1 gives a clear goal and a date to work toward. Many learners find a booked exam keeps weekly practice on track.
At A1 you can introduce yourself and handle simple everyday phrases. At A2 you can manage routine tasks like shopping, directions and short chats about yourself.
At B1 you can deal with most travel situations and talk about familiar topics. B2 means you can follow complex conversations and speak with native speakers without much strain.
C1 learners use Spanish fluently for work and study. C2 is close to an educated native speaker and is the highest DELE level.
Most prep schools offer a free placement test before you book. It tells you which level to aim for and how much study you need before exam day.
DELE exams are held at Instituto Cervantes branches and authorised centres such as universities and language schools.
SIELE centres include universities, language schools and testing companies.
School students usually take the AAPPL at their own school. Adults can ask a local college language department whether they host tests for outside candidates.
15-19 Devereux Court, London, United Kingdom
211 E 49th St, New York, United States
31 W. Ohio Street, Chicago, United States
Leeds, United Kingdom
326/330 Deansgate, Manchester, United Kingdom
Sydney, Australia
Find your current level before you choose an exam. Aiming one level too high is the most common reason learners fail.
A fixed date gives your study a deadline. Work back from it and plan weekly classes and practice around the time you have.
The exams test reading, listening, writing and speaking separately. Give extra time to whichever skill feels weakest, since each part counts.
Official sample papers show the exact format and timing. Doing two or three under real conditions makes exam day feel familiar.
Listening and speaking improve fastest with short daily practice. Ten minutes a day between classes adds up quickly before the exam.
Parrot teaches Spanish through short, fun videos you can watch on the bus or in a lunch break. It turns spare minutes into listening practice.
Hearing natural Spanish every day makes the listening section feel less rushed. Learners rate Parrot 4.7 stars from over 17,000 ratings.
Repeat phrases out loud and review the vocabulary from this week's class so it sticks before the next one.
Parrot makes this site. It is never listed as a local class.
The DELE is the most widely recognised, issued by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education. Employers, universities and the Spanish government accept it, and the diploma never expires, which makes it the safest choice for most adults.
The DELE tests one level per exam on fixed dates, and the diploma lasts for life. The SIELE scores you across all levels in one computer-based exam, offers more dates and faster results, and the certificate is valid for five years.
Fees depend on the level and the exam centre, and higher levels cost more. Check the centre's registration page for the latest price before you book.
DELE results usually take a few months to arrive, and you can check them online with your registration code. If you need proof of level sooner, the SIELE sends results much faster after the exam.
Some tests, including parts of the SIELE and the ACTFL OPI, can be taken remotely under set conditions. The DELE must be taken in person at an authorised centre, so check each exam's current rules first.
The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award on a US high school diploma for students who show strong skills in English and another language. Schools often use tests like the AAPPL to decide who earns it.
Most applicants for Spanish nationality need the DELE at A2 or higher, plus the CCSE test on Spanish culture and law. People from Spanish-speaking countries are usually exempt, so check the latest rules with the official authorities.
Every exam centre comes from the official DELE or SIELE centre finders, and every prep class is a real school or teacher checked on 31 October 2026. We do not take payment for rankings, and Parrot is never listed as a prep class.
