Categories: General
      Date: Nov 29, 2012
     Title: DELE B1

The new exam model for level B1 will be implemented beginning with the August 2013 exam.

The DELE B1 diploma certifies that the candidate possesses a considerable level of Spanish, higher than a beginner's level.
This diploma certifies the speaker's ability to understand the main points of texts and oral presentations offered in standard Spanish (language varieties presented are not excessively region-specific), on familiar topics related to work, studies or everyday life. Candidates for the diploma must show they are able to sufficiently communicate in Spanish within most of the situational contexts of these areas of use. Finally, they must demonstrate the ability to produce simple and coherent texts about familiar topics of personal interest, such as a description of experiences, events, wishes, plans and projects or opinions.
The new exam model for level B1 will be implemented beginning with the August 2013 exam. Its main features are the following:
It is made up of four tests:

1. Reading comprehension. Time: 70 minutes. 5 sections:
a. Section 1: Choose between 9 options to complete 6 questions based on brief texts related to personal, professional and academic topics.
b. Section 2: Answer 6 questions (three options each) about an informational text.
c. Section 3: Answer 6 questions (3 options each) about 3 texts that may be practical information, a job offer, an anecdote, etc.
d. Section 4: Complete a text (instructions, recipes, catalogues) with brief statements. Candidates will be given 8 options to fill in 6 blanks.
e. Section 5: Fill in 6 blanks with the elements offered (3 per blank) provided in a text written in letter format.

2. Listening comprehension
a. Section 1: Based on 6 short monologues, answer 6 multiple choice questions (3 options each).
b. Section 2: Answer 6 multiple choice questions (3 options each) about a 400 – 500 word monologue.
c. Section 3: Answer 6 questions (3 questions each) about a radio or television news program with 6 pieces of news.
d. Section 4: Answer 6 questions (with 9 options) about informal monologues or conversations about the same subject.
e. Section 5: Choose between 3 options for 6 questions based on a conversation between two people.

3. Written expression and interaction. Time 60: minutes. 2 sections:
a. Section 1: using the format of an email, letter, etc., write a letter, a forum comment, an email or a blog (about 120 words).
b. Section 2: Choose between two brief news, blog or social network texts and write a composition following the instructions.

4. Oral expression and interaction: Time: 15 minutes (plus 15 minutes to prepare). 4 sections:
a. Section 1: Choose one of two proposed topics and talk about it for two or three minutes.
b. Section 2: Establish a 3 – 4 minute dialogue with the interviewer about a topic from section 1.
c. Section 3: Choose one photo from 2 options and describe it. The examiner will ask questions about the subject related to the photo.
d. Section 4: Establish a dialogue with the interviewer according to roll-playing cards in a simulated situation for a couple of minutes.

For sections 1 and 2 of the oral expression and interaction test, candidates will have 15 minutes to prepare. They can take notes and prepare an outline to help them, but they may NOT only read the material they have written.