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Studies & Degrees in Spanish Language and Literature (in Language Schools)

Language schools teach Spanish as a foreign language to people who want to use it, not to analyse it as philologists do. A course in Spanish language and literature at a language school combines general language classes with reading and discussion of texts from Spain and Latin America. It is different from a university degree in Hispanic studies, which lasts several years and leads to an academic title.

Courses are open to adults at every level, from complete beginners to advanced speakers.

What students learn

The core is the general Spanish course: grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and writing, organised by level. Around it, schools add modules that change the emphasis. Colegio Delibes in Salamanca, for example, lists Spanish Language and Literature as one of its courses, next to Spanish with culture, conversation, translation, tourism and business. CastiLa in Granada has courses in Spanish literature, culture and society, and business Spanish.

Typical options at a Spanish language school are:

  • intensive general courses, usually 20 or 30 lessons a week
  • literature, culture and conversation modules for intermediate and advanced students
  • DELE and SIELE exam preparation
  • long-term courses and university access programmes
  • courses for teachers of Spanish as a foreign language
  • private lessons and online classes

Levels and certificates

Schools organise their courses by the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2. Costa de Valencia, for example, teaches its intensive course of 20 hours a week at all levels from A1 to C2, all year round. A school's own certificate states the level and hours completed. It is not an official qualification.

Two official certifications exist for Spanish:

  • DELE. The Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera are official titles issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education. There are diplomas for all six levels and nine exams in total, including versions for school pupils aged 11 to 17. General exams are aimed at candidates aged 16 or over. No previous course is required, and the diplomas are valid indefinitely.
  • SIELE. The Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española is a digital exam promoted by the Instituto Cervantes, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Buenos Aires. It has four tests (reading, listening, writing and speaking), and results arrive within three weeks at most.

The DELE has practical uses in Spain. A DELE A2 or higher meets the language requirement for Spanish nationality for people from non-Spanish-speaking countries, and a DELE C1 or C2 is accepted for access to specialist medical training places (MIR).

Where to study it

Our directory lists 174 schools for this subject. Spain has the most (98), followed by Argentina (13), Ecuador (10), Chile (7), Mexico (6) and Costa Rica (6). Bolivia and Peru have four each. In Spain, schools are found in the big cities and in traditional study destinations such as Salamanca, Granada, Málaga and Valencia.

The variety of Spanish changes with the country. The SIELE exam reflects this: each test combines at least three different varieties of Spanish.

How to choose a school

  • Accreditation. The Instituto Cervantes runs an accreditation system for centres that teach Spanish as a foreign language (SACIC). Accredited centres pass an evaluation that is repeated every three years. Inhispania in Madrid and Malaca Instituto in Málaga state on their websites that they hold this accreditation.
  • Class size. Schools publish their own limits. CastiLa works with 6 students per class, Costa de Valencia and Tandem Santiago in Chile with a maximum of 8, and Colegio Delibes with a maximum of 12. Vamos Spanish Academy in Buenos Aires gives an average of 5 to 9 students.
  • Intensity and start dates. Inhispania offers intensive courses of 20 or 30 classes a week and lets students start any week. Group courses at Tandem Santiago start every Monday.
  • Accommodation. Many schools arrange housing. Colegio Delibes offers a host family, a student residence or a shared flat. Malaca Instituto offers a residence, apartments and homestays.
  • Length of stay. Students who need a visa should ask for a long-term course. Inhispania lists long-term courses as suitable for students who require a visa. Visa rules are set by the Spanish consulate in each country.

What the course is useful for

A language course does not lead to a profession by itself. It supports other plans: entering a Spanish-speaking university, working with Spanish-speaking clients, meeting a language requirement or teaching Spanish. Where a university, employer or public body asks for proof of level, an official certificate such as the DELE or SIELE is the document to aim for.

Frequently asked questions

Is a language school course the same as a degree in Spanish?

No. A language school teaches Spanish as a foreign language in courses of weeks or months and issues its own certificate. A university degree in Hispanic studies is an academic qualification that takes several years.

Which Spanish certificate is official?

The DELE diplomas are official titles issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education. They cover levels A1 to C2 and are valid indefinitely.

Do I need to take a course before the DELE exam?

No. Candidates can register for any DELE exam without a previous course or a lower-level exam. Many schools offer preparation courses.

How many students are there in a class?

It depends on the school. Among the schools cited here, the stated maximum ranges from 6 to 12 students per class.