The functions and services of the Cervantes Institute are: • It designs Spanish language courses, offering two kinds of courses: general and special. • It offers the
Diplomas of Spanish as Foreign Language (DELE) examinations on behalf of the
Spanish Ministry of Education. This is an official qualification certifying levels of competence in the Spanish language, and is the only certificate for non-native Spanish speakers that is officially recognised in Spain. The diplomas are subdivided into six levels, each one corresponding to a certain proficiency level as described by the
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. • It improves the methods of Spanish education. • On-line Spanish language learning environment Ex) AVE (
Aula Virtual de Español) • Creating a social, cultural and educational environment in each centre • It organises and promotes the program to spread the Spanish language throughout the world. • The institute works with Spain's
national radio and television to deliver Spanish language courses. • Publications, on-line bibliographies, library holdings, the hosting of
major conferences on the state of the Spanish language. • It administers the Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain (CCSE) examinations worldwide, which are a legal requirement for the acquisition of Spanish nationality. • It establishes libraries and centres. • It also publishes the
Anuario del español to analyse and report on the situation and development of the Spanish language in different places. • It supports the
Centro Virtual Cervantes on the internet since 1997. ==Academic programme==