Learning Spanish with dyslexia, low literacy or a non-Latin alphabet

Terms used

• CEPA — CEPA are public adult education schools run by the regions, with literacy and Spanish courses for adults.
• Servicios sociales — Servicios sociales are the town hall's social services office, which can point you to local help and courses.
• Alfabetización — Alfabetización means literacy teaching: learning to read and write.
• Tildes — Tildes are the accent marks written over Spanish vowels, such as á or é.

Key rules

• Where to look: Search for your local CEPA or ask your town hall's servicios sociales for literacy and Spanish classes.
• Exam adjustments: Ask for extra time or an adapted format when you register, with an assessment report.
• Alphabet first: If you use another script, learn the Latin letters and their sounds before anything else.

Start with an adult school or a local charity

If you have little schooling or read a different script, the best first step is a literacy-oriented class. Search for your local CEPA, or ask your town hall's servicios sociales or immigration office. Availability varies by area, so ask what runs near you.

If you have little or no schooling

CEPA are the regional adult schools. They offer literacy courses and Spanish-for-foreigners courses, and these are low cost or free.

Charities also run alfabetización classes for migrants. Examples are Cruz Roja, Cáritas, Accem, CEAR and Fundación Cepaim. Local migrant associations and parish groups do the same. Town halls and community centres sometimes offer volunteer-led courses.

If your language does not use the Latin alphabet

This applies to first-language readers of Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Hebrew, Hindi and similar languages. Learn the letters and their sounds first. Spanish letter-sound matching is very regular, so this pays off quickly.

• Practise handwriting. Write in print letters first, then move to cursive.
• Read aloud letter by letter, then read syllables before whole words.
• Learn the Spanish-specific signs: ñ, ll, the silent h, accent marks, and the ¿ and ¡ marks.
• Use audio with text, labelled pictures and a short daily dictation.
• Practise typing on a Spanish keyboard layout.
• If you read Arabic or Hebrew, practise left-to-right tracking.

CEPA and charities offer classes in reading a new script. Ask for them by that description.

If you have dyslexia

Spanish spelling is quite regular, which makes it easier than English for many dyslexic learners. Look for a teacher who uses a structured, multisensory, phonics-based method. These things help:

• Short, regular sessions rather than long ones.
• Speaking practice before reading and writing.
• Colour-coding for gender and verb endings.
• Audio materials, flashcards with images and text-to-speech software.
• Extra time in class.

Ask your teacher to teach accent marks (tildes) and conjugation tables explicitly. Do not expect to pick them up unaided.

Exam adjustments for DELE and SIELE

The Instituto Cervantes runs the DELE and SIELE exams. It offers adjustments for candidates with specific learning needs, such as extra time or adapted formats. Request them when you register, and include supporting documents such as an assessment report. The exam centre and the Instituto Cervantes decide the exact adjustments. Contact your exam centre well before you register to check what they require.

The questions below cover common worries in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get extra time for the DELE or SIELE exam if I am dyslexic?

Yes, the Instituto Cervantes, which runs both exams, offers adjustments such as extra time or adapted formats for candidates with specific learning needs. You ask for them when you register, usually with a supporting document such as an assessment report.

Is Spanish easier or harder for a dyslexic learner than English?

Spanish is usually easier, because its spelling is quite regular and letters match sounds closely. Accent marks (tildes) and verb conjugation tables still need to be taught explicitly.

Where can I find Spanish classes if I have had little schooling?

Start with the adult school in your region, called a CEPA, which runs literacy and Spanish-for-foreigners courses at low cost or free. NGOs such as Cruz Roja, Cáritas, Accem, CEAR and Fundación Cepaim also run literacy classes (alfabetización) for migrants. Ask your town hall's social services (servicios sociales) what is available locally.

What should I practise first if my language does not use the Latin alphabet?

Start with the Latin alphabet and how Spanish letters match sounds, which is very regular. Read syllables before whole words, and write in print letters before cursive. Learn the special marks too: ñ, the silent h, accent marks, and ¿ and ¡.