GCSE Spanish
Course Length
Two years.
Knowledge of a second language is now generally recognised as an indispensable tool, whether for going on holiday or for work. Spanish at GCSE level provides students with the essentials of communication, enabling you to describe events and situations and convey your thoughts and feelings to a basic level and develop knowledge and understanding of Spanish grammar. The course covers three broad themes, relating issues to Spain, Central & South America and other Hispanophone regions.
1. Identity & Culture
2. Local, national, international and global areas
of interest
3. Current and future study and employment
The Specification
AQA Spanish (8668H or 8668F) Higher Tier (H), for grades 4 – 9; Foundation Tier (F) for grades 1 – 5.
Assessment
45 mins (H); 35 mins (F) exam | 25%
Paper 2 Speaking
10-12 mins (H); 7-9 mins (F) | 25%
Paper 3 Reading
1 hour (H); 45 mins (F) exam | 25%
Paper 4 Writing
1 hr 15 mins (H); 1 hour (F) exam | 25%
Course content
Paper 1 Listening
• Section A – questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally
• Section B – questions in Spanish, to be answered in Spanish or non-verbally.
Paper 2 Speaking
The format is the same at Foundation Tier and Higher Tier, but with different stimulus questions for the Photo card and different stimulus materials for the Role-play. The timings are different too:
• Role-play – 15 marks (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 2 minutes at Higher Tier)
• Photo card – 15 marks (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 3 minutes at Higher Tier)
• General conversation – 30 marks (3–5 minutes atFoundation Tier; 5–7 minutes at Higher Tier)
Paper 3 Reading
The format is the same at Foundation Tier and Higher Tier, but with different levels of text.
• Section A – Questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally
• Section B – Questions in Spanish, to be answered in Spanish or non-verbally
• Section C – Translation from Spanish into English
– a minimum of 35 words (F) and 50 words (H)
Paper 4 Writing
• Foundation: Short message, short passage and a structured writing task in Spanish which presents facts and expresses ideas and opinions; Translation from English into Spanish
• Higher: Structured writing task, plus an openended task where students must express and justify points of view in Spanish where appropriate; Translation from English into Spanish.
Reading List
AQA Spanish Higher
By Various
Published by Oxford Kerboodle, ISBN 9780198365877 Kerboodle resources online
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