Languages
GCSE Spanish
The current examination board used at Merchants’ Academy for GCSE is Edexcel. The topics and themes covered in this course are as follows:
At home and abroad
- Things to see and do
- Life in the town, countryside, seaside
- Weather and climate
- Travel, transport and directions
- Holidays, tourist information and accommodation
- Services and shopping abroad
- Customs, everyday life and traditions in target language countries and communities
Education, training and employment
- School life and routine
- Different types of jobs
- Job advertisements, applications and interviews
- Future plans and work experience
House, home and daily routine
- Types of home, rooms, furniture and garden
- Information about self, family and friends
- Helping around the house
- Food and drink
Media, entertainment and youth culture
- Sport, fashion and entertainment
- Famous personalities
- The media
- Current affairs, social and environmental issues
Social activities, fitness and health
- Free time (evenings, weekends, meeting people)
- Special occasions
- Hobbies, interests, sports and exercise
- Shopping and money matters
- Accidents, injuries, common ailments and health issues (smoking, drugs)
Examinations
Students will be examined in 4 skill areas – listening, speaking, reading and writing (coursework).
Each skill is worth 25% of the final mark.
Each student is required to submit several pieces of coursework throughout the course, one of which should be done in controlled (exam) conditions.
Coursework tasks include: writing about a holiday from the past, completing a film review, writing about school and daily routine, writing a letter to a penfriend introducing yourself and your life.
The speaking exam takes place in a one-to-one situation with your teacher. Each student will complete two role plays and then engage in conversation about two of the GCSE topics from the course. The whole exam will last around 10 minutes.