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Studies & Degrees in Spanish as a Second Language

Spanish as a Second Language Study Programs

Level: Not Applicable     Location: Alicante
Level: Not Applicable     Location: Sevilla
Level: Not Applicable     Location: Marbella

Spanish as a second language, often called Spanish as a foreign language or by its Spanish abbreviation ELE (español como lengua extranjera), is Spanish taught to people who have another first language. The subject covers two things: the language courses themselves, from a beginner's first week to academic and professional Spanish, and the training of the people who teach those courses.

Courses work on the four skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking, together with grammar, vocabulary and the culture of the Spanish-speaking countries. Most schools place students with a level test and organise their courses by the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2.

Courses, levels and certificates

Language courses do not lead to a degree. What students can obtain is a certificate of their level, and the main ones are issued outside the schools.

  • DELE. The Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera are official qualifications awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education. There is a diploma for each CEFR level from A1 to C2, plus versions for school pupils aged 11 to 17. Candidates can register without having taken any course or lower exam, 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 comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression and interaction, and spoken expression and interaction. Candidates can certify their overall level or individual skills, and results arrive within a maximum of three weeks.
  • CELU. Argentina has its own Certificado de Español: Lengua y Uso, which has certified Spanish as a second language since 2004. According to the CELU consortium it is the only exam officially recognised by the Argentine Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It certifies three levels (basic, intermediate and advanced) and has been available in a fully digital, remote format since 2020.

Typical course formats are intensive group courses, semi-intensive or evening courses, one-to-one lessons, exam preparation, Spanish for business or other professions, and online classes.

Where to study it

This directory lists 21 active schools for the subject. Ten are in Spain and three in Argentina; there are also schools in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua, and one in Germany. Classes are taught in Spanish from the first day at most schools.

The schools are very different in size and style. Some examples:

  • The Universidad de Salamanca runs courses for all levels through its Cursos Internacionales, lasting two, three, four, six or ten weeks, as well as online courses at levels A2 to C1 and training for teachers of Spanish.
  • La Aventura Española (LAE Madrid) states that it is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and is a member of the federation FEDELE. Courses start any Monday of the year.
  • SP Spanish Courses in Mendoza is an official SIELE examination centre and offers both preparation courses and the exam.
  • IW Spanish School in Buenos Aires is a member of AACELE, the Argentine association of centres of Spanish as a foreign language.
  • Sol Latino in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, teaches one-to-one, with one teacher per student, at 10 course levels.

How to choose a school

Private language schools are not universities, and their own course certificates are not degrees. Two external quality marks help when comparing schools in Spain. The Instituto Cervantes accredits centres that teach Spanish as a foreign language through its SACIC system; accredited centres pass an evaluation that is repeated every three years. FEDELE, the federation of Spanish schools in Spain, groups about a hundred schools and states that all of them are accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. Elsewhere, national associations such as AACELE in Argentina play a similar role.

Other points to compare are class size, hours per week, whether the school is an exam centre for the DELE or SIELE, the accommodation it arranges (host family, shared flat or residence) and whether it helps with a student visa for longer stays.

What Spanish is used for

A certificate of Spanish opens practical doors. In Spain, a DELE at level A2 or higher meets the Spanish-language requirement in applications for Spanish nationality by people from non-Spanish-speaking countries. A DELE C1 or C2 is accepted for access to specialist medical training posts (MIR, FIR). Universities and employers set their own level requirements, so students should ask which certificate and level are accepted before they register for an exam.

For those who want to teach, Spanish as a foreign language is a profession of its own. Universities offer master's programmes and short courses for future teachers, and some language schools run teacher training courses as well. Before enrolling, ask the provider what recognition the qualification has.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the DELE and the SIELE?

The DELE is an official diploma for one chosen CEFR level and is valid indefinitely. The SIELE is a digital exam taken by appointment at an examination centre; candidates can certify their overall level or single skills and receive the result within three weeks.

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

No. According to the Instituto Cervantes, candidates can register for any DELE exam without a previous course and without having passed a lower level. Many schools nevertheless offer preparation courses.

How do I know whether a Spanish school is reliable?

In Spain, check whether the school is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, which evaluates accredited centres every three years. Membership of a federation such as FEDELE in Spain or AACELE in Argentina is another indication.