If you're preparing for the DELE A1 exam, you need a plan that's honest about the time and effort required. This isn't a magic formula — it's a realistic, week-by-week roadmap designed for busy candidates who can dedicate 1–2 hours daily. Over four weeks, you'll build foundational vocabulary, master basic grammar, and practice all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in a structured sequence. Let's get started.
Week 1: Foundations & Vocabulary Building
Daily time: 60–90 minutes
Your first week is about laying the groundwork. Focus on the most common 200–300 words: greetings, numbers, days, months, colours, family members, and everyday objects. Use spaced-repetition apps (like Anki) or a simple notebook.
- Day 1–2: Learn greetings, introductions, and basic questions (¿Cómo te llamas? ¿De dónde eres?). Practice pronunciation aloud.
- Day 3–4: Numbers 1–100, colours, and days of the week. Write them down and say them.
- Day 5–6: Family vocabulary (madre, padre, hermano) and common verbs (ser, estar, tener, hablar).
- Day 7: Review everything. Take a short self-test.
Take a free DELE A1 demo mock to find out where you stand: <a href="/demo">Try the demo →</a>
Week 2: Grammar & Simple Sentences
Daily time: 90 minutes
Now that you have some vocabulary, it's time to string words into sentences. DELE A1 expects you to use present tense (indicative) for regular and common irregular verbs (ser, estar, tener, ir).
- Day 8–9: Present tense of regular -ar, -er, -ir verbs. Conjugate and practice with common verbs.
- Day 10–11: Key irregular verbs: ser vs. estar (permanent vs. temporary states), tener, and ir.
- Day 12–13: Basic sentence structure (subject + verb + object), questions, and negatives. Use simple sentences like "Yo soy estudiante" or "No tengo coche."
- Day 14: Write a short paragraph about yourself (name, nationality, job, hobbies). Practice reading it aloud.
Week 3: Skill Integration & Mock Tests
Daily time: 1–2 hours
This week is about applying what you've learned across all four exam sections. The DELE A1 exam has four parts: Reading (45 min), Writing (25 min), Listening (20 min), and Speaking (15 min).
- Day 15–16: Reading comprehension — practice with short texts (ads, signs, simple emails). Focus on extracting key information.
- Day 17–18: Listening — listen to slow Spanish dialogues (YouTube channels like "Spanish with Juan" or DELE sample audios). Transcribe short sentences.
- Day 19–20: Writing — write simple notes (e.g., a postcard, a short message to a friend). Follow the exam format.
- Day 21: Speaking — record yourself answering common DELE A1 questions (name, age, job, hobbies, describe your house). Practice with a partner or language exchange app.
See DELE A1 mock-test packs and pricing: <a href="/plans">View plans →</a>
Week 4: Intensive Sprint & Exam Simulation
Daily time: 2 hours
This is the final push. Your goal is to simulate the real exam experience and fix any weak spots.
- Day 22–23: Take a full-length DELE A1 mock test under timed conditions. Identify areas where you lost marks.
- Day 24–25: Focus on your weakest skill. If listening is hard, do extra audio exercises. If writing is slow, practice writing short texts within time limits.
- Day 26–27: Review grammar and vocabulary mistakes from mocks. Re-learn tricky irregular verbs or false friends.
- Day 28: Light review — go over key phrases, do one more speaking practice, and relax. Get a good night's sleep before the exam.
Resource Sequencing
Don't try to use every resource at once. Follow this order:
- 1Official DELE A1 sample papers (free on Instituto Cervantes website) — start from Week 2.
- 2Grammar reference — "Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish" or a similar workbook. Use from Week 1.
- 3Podcasts — "Coffee Break Spanish" or "Notes in Spanish" (beginner episodes). Use from Week 2.
- 4Flashcards — Anki or Quizlet for vocabulary. Use daily from Week 1.
- 5Language exchange — HelloTalk or Tandem for speaking practice. Use from Week 3.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Skipping speaking practice — DELE A1 includes a face-to-face oral exam. Speak out loud from Day 1.
- Memorising without understanding — Focus on patterns, not rote lists. Understand why "soy" is used for identity and "estoy" for location.
- Ignoring listening — Many candidates find listening hardest because native speakers talk fast. Listen to slow Spanish first, then gradually increase speed.
- Overloading on grammar — At A1, you don't need subjunctive or past tenses. Stick to present tense and basic structures.
Final Tips
- Consistency beats intensity: 45 minutes daily is better than 5 hours once a week.
- Use the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes focused study, 5-minute break.
- Track your progress: Keep a simple log of what you studied each day.
- Stay positive: Language learning is a marathon. Celebrate small wins.
Where to next?
- <a href="/dele-a1/grammar-guide">DELE A1 Grammar Guide →</a>
- <a href="/dele-a1/vocabulary-list">Essential DELE A1 Vocabulary →</a>
- <a href="/dele-a1/speaking-tips">DELE A1 Speaking Tips →</a>