LOS DIPLOMAS DE ESPAÑOL COMO LENGUA EXTRANJERA EN LETONIA: EVOLUCIÓN DE LAS INSCRIPCIONES Y PERFIL DE LOS CANDIDATOS
DIPLOMAS OF SPANISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN LATVIA: TRENDS IN ENROLLMENT AND CANDIDATE PROFILE

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the evolution of enrolment in the examination for the Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) in Latvia and outlines the sociodemographic and linguistic profile of the candidates. Based on the methodological principles of linguistic demography, the study presents a longitudinal analysis of the 39 examination sessions conducted between 2004 and 2024, using data from the Certification System of the Instituto Cervantes (SICIC) as its primary source. The findings reveal an irregular pattern of enrolment, with several peaks in the early years linked to the dynamics of Spanish within the Latvian university context. Moreover, while candidate profiles were initially relatively homogeneous, the past decade has seen increasing diversity in terms of age, learning context, and geographical origin. The study concludes that the Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language are not only well established in Latvia but also contribute to strengthening the presence of the Spanish language in academic and professional settings.

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