DELA Information
Diagnostic English Language Assessment (DELA)
If you are an international student from a non-English speaking background, DELA provides you with a fantastic opportunity to have three important areas of communication assessed: writing, listening and reading. This assessment is FREE.
Who is DELA for?
The Diagnostic English Language Assessment (DELA) is recommended by the University for international students who are not native speakers of English and who are likely to benefit from additional English language support.
Getting help with your English can make a real difference to your academic success.
Your faculty will advise whether you should sit DELA, so please check with your faculty advisor if DELA is appropriate for you. This assessment is FREE.
What does DELA do?
- finds out if you need academic English language development, and
- indicates what type of language development would be most appropriate for you.
Doing DELA
Find out:
- times and dates when you can do the DELA
- how to get your results
- what your results mean?
How will DELA help me?
This service offers you the opportunity to:
- get help with your English before it becomes a problem
- improve your English skills, and
- improve your academic results.
What does DELA consist of?
The assessment takes approximately 2 hours and has three parts:
- Reading (45 mins)
- Listening (30 mins)
- Writing (30 mins).
Do I need to register?
No. If your faculty recommends DELA for you, they will tell you which session to attend and where to go.
What about local students from non-English speaking backgrounds?
If you are a local Australian or Permanent Resident student from a non-English speaking background and you think you would benefit from additional language support, you should talk to your faculty about sitting the DELA.
Your faculty will best advise you on how sitting the DELA can assist you as well as provide you with information on the various language support options you can take to maximise your chances of academic success at the University of Melbourne.