Introduction

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Spanish is designed for use in schools. It is part of a suite of International GCSE qualifications offered by Pearson.

The qualification is designed primarily for students who are studying Spanish in order to enhance their future education or employment prospects.

Achievement is broadly equivalent to Levels A2 and B1 of the CEFR. Students at this level are expected to understand the main points of familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. and can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They can produce simple, connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest, and can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Students will be expected to communicate formally and informally in a range of contexts, and to understand a wide range of texts and styles.

The aim of the qualification is to test Spanish language competence through realistic and contextualised tasks based on authentic texts.

Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills are tested through three examination papers.

Topics and Subtopics

Topic A. Home and abroad

A1.      Life in the town and rural life

A2.      Holidays, tourist information and directions

A3.      Services (e.g., bank, post office)*

A4.      Customs and festivals

A5.      Everyday life in a Spanish-speaking country, traditions and communities

Topic B. Education and employment

B1.      School life and routine

B2.      School rules and pressures

B3.      School trips, events and exchanges

B4.      Work, careers and volunteering

B5.      Future plans

Topic C. Personal life and relationships

C1.      House and home

C2.      Daily routines and helping at home

C3.      Role models*

C4.      Relationships with family and friends

C5.      Childhood*

Topic D. The world around us

D1.      Environmental issues

D2.      Weather and climate*

D3.      Travel and Transport

D4.      The media

D5.      Information and communication technology

Topic E. Social activities, fitness and health

E1.       Special occasions

E2.       Hobbies, interests, sports and exercise

E3.       Shopping and money matters

E4.       Accidents, injuries, common ailments and health issues*

E5.       Food and drink

*Sub-topics A3, C3, C5, D2 and E4 will not be assessed in Paper 3: Speaking 

Three Papers

Paper 1: Listening

Students are required to convey their understanding of spoken Spanish through a series of listening tasks. Students must be able to:

• Identify and note main points.
• Deduce the meaning of words from context.
• Extract specific details • identify points of view.
• Show some understanding of unfamiliar language.
• Recognise attitudes, emotions and opinions.

This paper will feature questions drawn from a variety of sources, which all relate to the topics. These sources should be considered as different contexts in which students can write and understand Spanish. Specialist and/or technical Spanish vocabulary or detailed specialist knowledge of the topics are not required.

The listening examination lasts 30 minutes and is worth a quarter (25%) of the qualification. It consists of 40 marks. This paper will consist of seven tasks, each based on a single recorded text. Students will be given five minutes to read the questions before the paper begins and will be expected to respond to the questions as they listen. Students will hear each text twice.

Paper 2: Reading and Writing

Students are required to convey their understanding of written Spanish through a series of reading tasks. Students must be able to:

• Identify and note main points
• Deduce the meaning of words from context
• Extract specific details • identify points of view
• Show some understanding of unfamiliar language
• Recognise attitudes, emotions and opinions.

This section will feature questions drawn from a variety of sources that all relate to the topics. These sources should be considered as different contexts in which students can write and understand Spanish. Specialist and/or technical Spanish vocabulary or detailed specialist knowledge of the topics are not required.

Students need to draw on their knowledge of Spanish language, grammar and lexis in selecting appropriate forms of words to complete sentences, and demonstrate an ability to manipulate Spanish language in continuous writing. As part of their International GCSE, students should undertake regular writing activities.

Reading: Students should spend approximately 52 minutes of the 1-hour and 45-minute exam on this section, which is worth 50% of the paper and 25% of the qualification. It consists of 40 marks.

Writing: Students should spend approximately 52 minutes of the 1-hour and 45-minute exam on this section, which is worth 50% of the paper and 25% of the qualification. It consists of 40 marks.

Paper 3: Speaking

Students are required to convey their understanding of spoken Spanish through three speaking tasks. Students must be able to:

• Describe the contents of a picture
• Describe possible past or future events related to people in the picture
• Respond to questions about the picture and its related topic
• Take part in a spontaneous conversation on two further topics. In each conversation students must develop their responses, show initiative, express and justify points of view and refer to past, present and future events.

The examination is made up of three tasks (A, B and C).

Task A (picture-based discussion) The intention of this task is to enable students to speak about a situation or scenario with which they have some familiarity. Students will have to select a picture before the exam. Students will select a picture from any sub-topic area, excluding sub-topics A3, C3, C5, D2 and E4. These will not be assessed in Task A.

Tasks B and C (conversations on topics) The intention of Tasks B and C is to test students on two topics that have not been specifically prepared so as to test spontaneity of response. The teacher/examiner uses the randomisation grid provided by Pearson to determine which topic is to be examined in Tasks B and C. Sub-topics A3, C3, C5, D2 and E4 will not be assessed in Tasks B and C.

Assessment objectives and weightings

Relationship of assessment objectives to papers

All components will be available from 2019.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Exam Dates for Summer 2023

* Assessments will be conducted by teacher-examiners in centres in one session within a prescribed five-week assessment period. This will take place in April and May in any single year.

How can Spanish Express help you with your Spanish International GCSE?

Spanish Express has a wide range of courses and programmes to help you prepare for your exams 😉.

For personalised, goal-focused tutoring, have a look at our Spanish International GCSE Online Programme. 🎬

With the Spanish Homestay Immersion Programme (SHIP) you can travel to Spain and learn at home with our teachers. 😀

Immerse yourself in Spanish culture! 🇪🇸

It’s a way to learn Spanish while living a unique and unforgettable experience. ✈️

Let’s study Spanish together!

Mónica Romero