Are you a Spanish student wanting to certify your level? Do you wish to attend a university in Spain or Latin America? Do you have to present a certain level of Spanish to study abroad or participate in Erasmus? Are you doing paperwork to get your Spanish citizenship?

There are plenty of reasons for why you might want to take an official Spanish exam. There’s a sea of possibilities when it comes to types of tests you can take, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But thanks to us, you’ll no longer have to worry about that! We´ll help you find the Spanish exam that best fits your needs. Read this post in Spanish or keep reading in English so you don’t miss any of the important details to come. Let’s get started!

Do I need an official exam?

It depends on why you want to certify your Spanish level. If all you’re simply looking to substantiate your Spanish skills without any legal claim, then the certificates attained upon finalizing a don Quijote Spanish course are more than enough. These certificates reflect the number of class hours you’ve attended and the level of Spanish you’ve reached, amongst other things.

All our schools have the Cervantes Institute accreditation and form part of the FEDELE association. Therefore, if you’re looking to give yourself a boost in your academic or professional career by adding a new language to your college application or résumé, this can be done through the don Quijote certification. For students under 18 who are moving to Spain, a don Quijote certificate will be useful in getting into primary or secondary schools in the national school system. Get informed on the requirements in your specific case. If you can use the don Quijote certificate, you’ll be able to save on costs by not taking an official exam.

Differences between DELE and SIELE

Now if what you need is an official certification, you’ll need to look into DELE or SIELE. Both exams have been designed by the Cervantes Institute and they have international recognition. Below, we will touch on their biggest differences, so you can choose the program that may be in your best interest.

Levels

DELE is a diploma that certifies Spanish proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Before taking the exam, you’ll have to choose which level you’d like to test for: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2. In each part of the exam you’ll be asked to demonstrate that you are in fact at that level in all the language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. And just like that, you either pass or fail.

On the other hand, SIELE is a certificate indicating one’s Spanish skillset based on a point system. The number of points you are awarded depends on how many questions you get right. You also don’t have to demonstrate all of your language competencies. Instead, you have the choice of selecting which part of the exam you would like present. For example, if you’d like to only do the writing portion of the exam, that’s fine. Through this system, it’s impossible to fail the exam: everyone who takes the exam will earn a certificate stating the Spanish level demonstrated. If you get all the questions wrong, you will receive an A1 certificate. If you get all the questions right, you will receive a C2 certificate.

Dates

If you’d like to do the DELE, you must strive to stay on top of your calendar. This exam can only be taken on official exam dates, and each exam date only has certain level exams available.

When it comes to timing, SIELE is the more flexible option. You can get an appointment to take the exam, wait for it.. anytime. Just choose the date and time that works best for you.

Place

In order to take the DELE, you’ll have to go an accredited center, where you’ll be given a paper exam. If you are a don Quijote student, you’re in luck! You can take the DELE at any of our schools in Spain and save yourself the trouble of looking for a center.

If you end up deciding to go for the SIELE, you’ll also need an accredited center to take the exam. Again, you’ll be able to choose from any our schools in Spain. There is just one slight difference with this exam: instead of being on paper, it is done on a software application.

Validity

This is one of the most important aspects when it comes down to choosing which of the two exams you would like to take. While the DELE diploma never expires, the SIELE certificate is only valid for two years. So, we think it’s safe to say that if you know you’ll be needing to use your certification for a long period of time, it should be obvious which option you should go with, don’t you think?

Prepare for the exam

With a pass rate at about 95%, don Quijote students have a fairly easy time. We offer courses that are specifically designed to for students preparing for the DELE and SIELE, with options of 20, 25, or 30 hours of weekly classes in small groups. Our teachers share all their expert tips and advice about the exam, and you’ll even be able to take the exam itself in your classroom.

In this video you’ll find a summary of the most important differences between the DELE and SIELE. If you still aren´t sure which you should take, visit our website and contact us. We will help you choose which exam is your best fit and meets all your needs!
 

Last year, over 300,000 people followed the Way of Saint James to the northwest corner of Spain, keeping alive a tradition that dates back over a thousand years.

How would you like to spend a few weeks walking through Spanish towns and countryside? Keep reading in English or click here to switch to Spanish and learn what the Camino de Santiago is all about.

History

As the story goes, in the early 800s, a hermit living in the forest noticed a strange star in the sky. He decided to inform the local bishop, who followed the light of the star and found that it illuminated an ancient stone tomb containing three bodies. The bishop believed one of them to be the remains of Santiago el Mayor (James the Greater), and he quickly alerted the king.

That’s how it happened that the first person to walk El Camino de Santiago was King Alfonso II of Asturias, who traveled on foot from Oviedo to see the recently discovered tomb in Campostela (campo de estrellas — field of stars). The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela would later be built on the spot where the tomb was found.

Following in the king’s footsteps, in the Middle Ages it became common for Christians from Spain, France, and other parts of Europe to make the pilgrimage across northern Spain to visit the saint’s tomb. It’s worth noting that at this time, much of the Iberian Peninsula was under Moorish rule in Al-Andalus, and religion formed an important part of people’s identity. The golden age of the Camino lasted from the 11^th to the 13^th century, when common people and monarchs alike walked mile after mile toward Santiago.

Today

Although the Camino de Santiago was born from the Christian religion, today people from around the world find themselves drawn to the idea of walking through beautiful scenery for days on end for a variety of different reasons. Whether you’re looking for spiritual clarity, an outdoor adventure, or just want to see what it’s like to be completely disconnected from the modern world, you can find what you’re seeking on the Camino.

There are several different routes to Santiago de Compostela. The most heavily transited is the French Way, followed by the Portuguese Way, and the most popular time to do the Camino is in the summer. Therefore, those who’d like to skip the crowds and the heat may want to consider walking an alternative route in the spring or fall.

When you begin your journey, make sure to get a Pilgrim Passport and have it stamped at hostels, restaurants, and churches along with way, proving how far you’ve come. You’ve got to walk at least 100 km (62 miles) or bike at least 200 km (124 miles) if you want to earn the official Compostela (if you’ve done the Camino for religious reasons) or Certificate of Welcome (for everyone else) when you reach Santiago de Compostela.

Symbols

Along the trail, you’ll find lots of scallop shells and yellow arrows to help you find your way. The scallop shell, commonly found on the beaches of Galicia, has been a symbol of the Camino de Santiago for centuries. You will find it not just marking the path but also hanging from the backpacks, walking sticks, and necks of your fellow travelers, making them easy to identify.

Preparation

When you do the Camino de Santiago, you’ll enjoy instant camaraderie with people from Spain and all around the world. Take a Spanish course before you start your journey — that way, you’ll be able to connect more deeply with more people.

¡Buen camino!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been learning lots of common Spanish expressions with parts of the body. To close out this topic, today we’re going to cover expressions about shoulders. Continue reading in English, or if you want us to echarte una mano (give you a hand) with your Spanish reading skills, click here for the Spanish version of this post.

Physical expressions with shoulders

Along with faces and hands, shoulders are one of the most expressive parts of the body. If we pay attention to the positions and movements of someone’s shoulders, we can tell if they are tired, unsure or apathetic about something, or feeling shy.

Perhaps the expressiveness of our shoulders is responsible for the existence of so many popular Spanish expressions featuring shoulders. Below, we’ll show you three of the most common expressions with hombros and how to use them.

Verbal expressions with shoulders

Arrimar el hombro

This set phrase encapsulates a warm message. Arrimar el hombro (to bring the shoulder closer) means to help a person or group achieve something positive. A similar expression that uses another body part is trabajar codo con codo (to work elbow with elbow). Let’s take a look at some examples with English adaptations.

Si todos arrimamos el hombro, saldremos antes de trabajar

(If we all lend a hand, we’ll leave work earlier)

Si trabajamos codo con codo, saldremos antes de trabajar

(If we work side by side, we’ll leave work earlier)

The idea of lending a shoulder, like many popular expressions, has its origins in rural life. Day laborers who worked in the fields used to bend over side by side to sow seeds in furrows. In this position, the workers often bumped shoulders.

Estar manga por hombro

Literally, this expression means that the sleeve (manga) is where the shoulder should be. In other words, something is disorganized or not where it should be. Estar patas arriba (to be legs up) has the same meaning but uses yet another body part.

The best way to illustrate the meaning of this expression is to repeat something every Spanish-speaking mother has said at one time or another:

¡Recoge tu habitación, que está todo manga por hombro!

¡Recoge tu habitación, que está todo patas arriba!

(Pick up your room, it’s a mess!)

Encogerse de hombros

Whatever country you’re from, if you’re familiar with western culture you’ll probably understand someone means if they shrug their shoulders (encogerse de hombros). This gesture may not be used in the same way in Asia, but most people from western countries shrug to express doubt or disinterest. 

A la pregunta de qué tarta prefería para merendar, Martina se encogió de hombros

(When asked what type of cake she’d like for a snack, Martina shrugged)

We hope you’ve learned lots of useful expressions with body parts over these past few weeks. At don Quijote we’re happy to have the chance to accompany you on your journey to Spanish and make learning a little bit easier with videos like the one you’ll find below. Enjoy!

Spain’s flower power packs a punch! With colorful festivals in full bloom across the peninsula, May is a beautiful time to study Spanish in Spain. Skies are sunny, birds are chirping, romance is in the air… or is that pollen? If you tend to suffer from springtime sneezing, pop an allergy pill, grab some Kleenex, and get ready for a quick virtual tour of Spain’s top flower festivals. Click here to read on in Spanish.

Cruces de Mayo

During the first week of May, many cities and towns throughout Andalusia celebrate the May Crosses Festival, including the cities of Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Malaga, and Cadiz. During this competition, large crosses are artfully decorated with flowers and placed in plazas and other spots around the city. The most artistic entries are rewarded with cash prizes from the local government.

Fiesta de los Patios

In early to mid-May, Cordoba celebrates another flower festival. This one revolves around patios, a feature of the local architecture. Since Roman times, homes in hot, dry Cordoba have often been built around central courtyards that provide shelter from the intense summer heat. Today, some patios belong to single-family homes, while others are shared by an entire apartment building. Once a year, everyone can witness the magic of these usually hidden traditional spaces, with flowerpots covering the walls and balconies overflowing with flowers in every color imaginable. This festival has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Temps de Flors

Leaving Andalusia and heading to northeastern Spain, we come to Girona in Catalonia (about 60 miles from Barcelona) for the mid-May Girona Flower Festival. Throughout the city, monuments, sculptures and gardens are covered with flowers, making sightseeing especially enchanting. Flowers are also used in creative street art installations sure to surprise and delight visitors as they happen upon them.

As the saying goes, marzo ventoso y abril lluvioso sacan a mayo florido y hermoso (windy March and rainy April bring out a flowery and beautiful May). Although flowers are the focal point of these events, as with many Spanish fiestas, you can also expect to enjoy food, drinks, live music, and dancing.

Plan your trip to Spain and see it for yourself!