Are language certificates worth it for a school-age child?

Key rules

• Use first: Get a certificate only when a school, university or authority will actually use it.
• School enrolment: Schools do not require a DELE to enrol your child.
• Regional recognition: Which certificates count, and for what, differs by region, so ask the regional education department.
• Fees: Exam fees typically run from tens of euros to over a hundred.

Is a certificate worth it?

Only pursue a certificate when a school, university or authority will value it. If you cannot name who will use it, wait. Exam fees vary and typically run from tens of euros to over a hundred.

Which certificates exist

Spanish. DELE Escolar is made for school-age learners, roughly 11 to 17, at levels A1 to B1 (B2 in some versions). The standard DELE is open to all ages, from A1 to C2. Both come from the Instituto Cervantes.

Regional languages. Each region with its own language has official certificates:

• Catalonia: the Generalitat's Catalan certificates.
• Valencia: the Junta Qualificadora (JQCV) certificates.
• Galicia: CELGA.
• Basque Country: HABE/EGA.
• Balearic Islands: certificates from the Govern.

English. Options include Cambridge exams (Starters, Movers and Flyers for young learners; A2 Key, B1 Preliminary and B2 First for Schools for older pupils), Trinity ISE and GESE, Aptis, and the Official School of Languages (EOI) certificates.

Exam versions and levels change, so check with the awarding body before you book.

Who recognises them

• Regional-language certificates are recognised by the regional education authority and administration. They matter for exemptions, university access, public jobs and teaching.
• DELE is an official Spanish-government diploma. It proves your Spanish for nationality or residence procedures (A2 for nationality). Schools do not require it for enrolment.
• Cambridge, Trinity and Aptis are widely recognised by regional education departments. Many regions exempt pupils from some English tests or give credit towards bilingual-programme and university requirements, based on the CEFR level.
• EOI certificates are official.

Recognition varies by region and by purpose. Ask your regional education department for its list of accepted certificates and equivalences.

Minimum ages

• Cambridge young-learner exams have no strict minimum, but suit about 6 to 12.
• Cambridge exams for schools suit about 11 to 16, and others may sit them.
• DELE Escolar suits about 11 to 17.
• Standard DELE has no formal minimum. A1 to B1 are usually taken from about 14 or 16.
• Regional-language certificates often set about 16 for higher levels. Some intermediate ones open from about 14 or earlier.
• The EOI generally admits students from 14, or 16 for a language they do not study at school.

Ages vary by exam centre and session, so confirm with the centre.

When it is worth the fee

Go ahead when there is a concrete use:

• A regional-language level your region needs for an exemption, university access or later public-sector jobs.
• An English certificate for a bilingual programme, a scholarship or university requirements.
• A DELE for nationality or residence, or for a return to an international school or university.
• A child who is motivated by a clear goal.

Skip it for young children with no near-term need, or when school already gives enough recognition.

The documents and FAQ below cover what to bring and common questions.

Documents you need

• DELE or DELE Escolar diploma from the Instituto Cervantes, as proof of Spanish level. Needed only for nationality or residence procedures (A2 for nationality) or a return to an international school or university. Schools do not ask for it at enrolment.

• Official regional-language certificate from the regional authority, such as the Catalan, Valencian, Galician, Basque or Balearic certificates. Needed where the region uses it for exemptions, university access or later public-sector jobs.

• English certificate from Cambridge, Trinity or Aptis, or an Official School of Languages (EOI) certificate. Useful where your region gives credit for the level towards bilingual programmes, English test exemptions, scholarships or university requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need a DELE to enrol in a Spanish school?

No, schools do not require the DELE for enrolment. It is an official Spanish-government diploma, useful as proof of Spanish for nationality or residence procedures, where A2 is the level for nationality.

Which Spanish exam is made for school-age children?

DELE Escolar is the Spanish exam made for school-age learners, aimed at about 11 to 17.

At what age can my child start English certificate exams?

Cambridge Young Learners exams (Starters, Movers, Flyers) have no strict minimum age and are aimed at about 6 to 12. Cambridge exams for schools, such as A2 Key and B1 Preliminary, are aimed at about 11 to 16.

When is a certificate not worth the fee for my child?

A certificate is usually not worth the fee for a young child with no near-term need, or when school already gives enough recognition. Fees typically run from tens of euros to over a hundred. It pays off when it has a concrete use, such as a regional-language exemption, a scholarship or university access.