Are you preparing for the DELE A1 exam, hoping to showcase your Spanish language skills? The DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) exam is a valuable certification recognized worldwide. One of the key components of this exam is the writing section, and in this post, we will share some valuable tips and tricks to help you excel in it.
DELE A1 Writing Part
Before diving into the tips, it’s essential to understand what the DELE A1 writing section entails. Typically, it consists of two short writing tasks:
- Tarea 1: Fill in a form. 15 – 25 words
- Tarea 2: Short text such as a a brief email, letter or message. 30 – 40 words
The student has 25 minutes to complete both tasks.
Tip 1: Understand each Task Prompt
The first and foremost tip is to carefully read and understand the task prompt. Take your time to grasp the instructions and identify key information. For example, if you’re asked to write a postcard to a friend, ensure you know who the friend is, the purpose of the postcard, and any specific details and style required. E.g. If it is a letter to a friend, the greeting and farewell should be informal.
Tip 2: Make sure you know all the typical words for forms.
The first Task consists in filling in a form, hence, same typical words will be repeating in all the exams, here you have some examples:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
| Nombre | Name | Teléfono | telephone |
| Apellido | Surname | Correo electrónico | |
| Dirección | Address | Edad | Age |
| Calle | Street | País | Country |
| Número | Number | Nacionalidad | Nationality |
| Piso | Floor |
Tip 3: Plan Your Response
Planning your response is crucial. Spend a few moments brainstorming and outlining your ideas before you start writing. Create a rough structure for your response, deciding what information to include in each paragraph. This will help you stay organized and ensure your writing flows logically.
example of an outline for a message/letter/email for a friend or family member:
- Greet and ask how is everything : e.g. Hola Juan. ¿Cómo estás?
- Explain what you are doing: e.g. Estoy en Madrid. Estudio español con unos amigos franceses
- Describe the place/weather/people: En Madrid hace mucho calor y mucho sol
- Explain if you like the place and why: Me gusta mucho Madrid porque la gente es muy simpática y la comida está muy buena
- Say goodbye and sign: Nos vemos pronto. Alberto.
Tip 4: Stick to the Word Limit
In the DELE A1 writing section, you are given a word limit, usually 15 – 25 words for task 1 and 30 – 40 words for task 2. It’s essential to adhere to this limit. Be concise and focus on providing a complete response without exceeding the word count. Practice writing within these constraints to become more comfortable with the limitation.
Tip 5: Use Simple and Clear Language
Keep your language simple and clear. At the A1 level, you don’t need to use complex vocabulary or intricate sentence structures. Stick to basic words and grammar that you are confident using. Remember that clarity is more important than complexity.
Tip 6: Connect your ideas
In A1 your are not expected to use complex connectors. However there are a few simple ones that should master:
| Spanish | English |
| y | and |
| o | or |
| pero | but |
| también | too / also |
| porque | because |
| por example | for example |
Tip 6: Proofread and Edit
After you’ve completed your response, take a moment to proofread and edit. Look for spelling mistakes, verb conjugation errors, and any grammatical issues. A polished and error-free response will leave a better impression on the examiners.
Typical mistakes to check:
- Present Simple conjugation
- Masculine / femenine coherence
- Singular / Plural coherence
Tip 7: Time Management
Time management is key during the DELE A1 writing section. Allocate a specific amount of time for each step: reading the prompt, planning, writing, and proofreading. Stick to your allotted times to ensure you complete the task within the given timeframe.
If you followed our previous tips, you should finish the task 1 quite fast. Hence you can spend more time on task 2. A recommended structure would be:
- 7 – 8 minutes for task 1
- 17 – 18 minutes for task 2.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the DELE A1 writing exam may seem challenging, but with these tips and tricks, you can boost your confidence and perform well. Remember to practice regularly, as practice is the key to improvement. With dedication and these strategies in mind, you’ll be on your way to success in the DELE A1 writing section.
Our preparation courses
If you’re looking for more resources to aid your DELE A1 preparation, consider checking out official DELE exam materials, textbooks, or our courses tailored to your level.
Our DELE preparation courses are the best way to make sure that you will get the best result on each of the parts of the exam, thanks to our professional and expert teachers. Learn more here
Thank you for visiting our blog and taking the time to read our tips for the DELE A1 writing exam. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. Keep up the hard work, and buena suerte (good luck) with your DELE A1 journey!
