Specification

Useful Downloads

Specification
(PDF), Last Updated: 17 January 2012
(Version 3) For first teaching from September 2009, for first assessment from Summer 2010, for first award in Summer 2011

Related Circulars

Changes to controlled assessment writing tasks (S/IF/96/11)
(PDF), Last Updated: 22 September 2011

GCSE and GCE Languages (S/IF/77/10)
(PDF), Last Updated: 14 September 2010

There are two tiers of entry for this specification: Foundation Tier and Higher Tier. We award grades C–G to candidates entered for the Foundation Tier. We award grades A*–D to candidates entered for the Higher Tier. We provide an allowed grade E as a ‘safety net’ for Higher Tier students just failing to secure a grade D.

A Short Course GCSE is available, focusing on either speaking and listening or reading and writing.

The course is assessed through a combination of written papers (for reading and listening) and controlled assessments (for speaking and writing). Teachers mark the speaking assessments and we moderate them. We mark the writing assessments.

We have divided the course into three contexts for learning. These are outlined in more detail below:

Context 1: The Individual

Students’ lives, families, homes and interests, and those of others in Spanish-speaking countries and communities:

  • Relationships: families and friends;
  • Local environment: advantages and disadvantages;
  • Activities: daily routine and leisure activities; and
  • Health and lifestyle: diet, exercise and illness.

Context 2: Citizenship

Lifestyles, attitudes and customs in students’ own countries and communities, and in Spanish-speaking countries and communities

  • Social issues: problems in society and equality;
  • Travel and tourism: destinations and choices;
  • Environmental issues: attitudes to and responsibilities for litter, transport, energy, conservation and recycling;
  • Media and communications; and
  • Celebrations: festivals and customs.

Context 3: Employability

Education and employment in students’ own countries and communities, and in Spanish-speaking countries and communities

  • School life;
  • Part-time jobs: advantages and disadvantages; and
  • Future plans: choices and expectations.

For more information, see the specification.