CELU explained: Argentina's Spanish certificate, its three levels, an exam that does not count grammar mistakes, and the fees
The CELU (Certificado de Español: Lengua y Uso) is Argentina's certificate of Spanish as a foreign language, recognised by Argentina's Ministry of Education (Resolution 28/05) and endorsed by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is one exam for every candidate, and the result places you at a level, much like the SIELE and unlike the DELE, where you choose a level first.
Everything below is from celu.edu.ar, read in Spanish on 3 November 2026: what the CELU is, the levels, the FAQ, the fees, the 2026 calendar notice and the results archive.
Three levels, and a distinction within each
Básico: short exchanges on familiar topics in simple situations. New: the CELU has certified Básico since the February 2026 sitting.
Intermedio: managing with some fluency in familiar, social and service situations, and acceptably at work and in study. The CELU calls it the threshold level for university.
Avanzado: comfortable and spontaneous in a wide range of situations, including work and academic settings.
Within a level, the certificate can add a distinction: Bueno, Muy Bueno or Excelente, because a candidate does several tasks and may do better in some than in others.
The written part: four tasks, all writing
First, you listen to a radio recording, twice, taking notes, and write a text based on it. Then you read three texts from the press or other publications and write three texts of your own: a letter to a newspaper, an opinion article, a report.
The recordings come from different Spanish-speaking regions, mainly South America, so the accent is not necessarily Argentine.
No dictionary, books or notes are allowed.
There is no section of grammar questions. The CELU says plainly that it does not count grammar mistakes: you do not lose marks per error. What is judged is whether your text suits the situation: whether it uses the information from the audio, addresses the right reader, gives and justifies an opinion, and uses the right forms for, say, a formal letter.
The oral part: a 15-minute interview
The oral exam is a 15-minute interview with two teachers: you talk with one, and the other mostly observes. It has three parts: a presentation of yourself; an exposition of two minutes or more on one of two picture-and-text cards you choose from; and a dialogue in which you take a role and, for example, complain, justify or explain.
It is assessed on how well you fit the situation and the task, fluency, pronunciation and intonation, and grammar and vocabulary suited to the conversation. Again, errors are not counted; what you manage to say is.
Any variety of Spanish is accepted. You do not have to use vos instead of tú, but you should understand it.
Our reading: the CELU rewards using Spanish for a purpose, in writing and in conversation. A student preparing for it gets more from writing real letters and opinion pieces from audio and articles, and from role-play, than from grammar drills.
Who can take it, fees, results
You must be at least 16, have completed at least three years of secondary school, and not have Spanish as your first language. Native speakers schooled in another language who need to certify their Spanish for work or study can also take it.
The CELU can be taken digitally, from a laptop or desktop with a webcam, microphone and Zoom.
Fees on the CELU's fee page: in Argentina, the peso equivalent of USD 100 at Banco Nación's official rate on the day of payment; in Brazil, USD 100 (USD 65 for candidates who show low income); in Europe, €120; in the United States, USD 140.
The CELU's results page lists three 2026 sittings, dated 6 February, 29 May and 21 August.
The certificate does not expire, and you can take the CELU as many times as you want.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Preparing mainly with grammar exercises.
Writing letters, reports and opinion pieces from audio and articles.
The CELU has no grammar section and does not count errors; it judges whether your text fits its purpose.
Training only on Argentine Spanish.
Listening to radio from different regions, mainly South America.
The CELU's recordings come from various Spanish-speaking regions.
Bringing a dictionary.
Practising writing without one.
No dictionaries, books or notes are allowed.
Questions
What levels does the CELU certify?
Básico (since February 2026), Intermedio and Avanzado, each with a possible distinction of Bueno, Muy Bueno or Excelente.
How much does the CELU cost?
USD 100 in Argentina (paid in pesos) and Brazil (USD 65 for low income), €120 in Europe and USD 140 in the United States.
Does the CELU expire?
No. The certificate has no expiry date.
Can I use a dictionary in the CELU?
No. Dictionaries, books and notes are not allowed.
Can I take the CELU online?
Yes, the CELU runs a digital exam that needs a computer, internet, a webcam, a microphone and Zoom.
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