Spanish at GCSE

For AQA GCSE schools teach the 8698 specification.

For information on other exam boards please contact us.

Course Overview

The AQA GCSE Spanish course (Specification 8698) equips students with essential language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, helping them to communicate effectively in Spanish across a variety of everyday topics and practical situations.

The course covers themes such as identity and culture, local area, holidays, school life, future plans, and global issues. It balances vocabulary acquisition with grammar mastery and cultural understanding, encouraging learners to build confidence in both spoken and written Spanish.

Exams

Assessment is divided into four equally weighted components: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each skill is tested through a combination of tasks, including comprehension exercises, role plays, presentations, and written responses. The exams are designed to test both receptive and productive language skills, with increasing demands on grammar, vocabulary range, and communication accuracy at higher grades.

Common Challenges

Many students find the speaking exam intimidating, particularly when required to respond spontaneously or engage in conversations on unfamiliar topics.

Grammar concepts such as verb conjugations, tenses, and agreements often present difficulties. Additionally, students sometimes struggle with vocabulary recall under exam pressure and making their writing varied and interesting, which are essential for achieving top marks.

Our Top Tips for Success

Learn set phrases: Memorising complex phrases allows you to express yourself to a high standard.
Grammar focus: Many students neglect grammar, it is essential for success.
Place subtitles on TV programmes to fully immerse yourself in the Spanish language.

How Suppree Tuition Supports You

At Suppree Tuition, we tailor our Spanish tuition to focus on both language skills and exam technique. We create a supportive environment where students can practise speaking regularly, improving fluency and reducing anxiety through structured conversations and role-plays tailored to the AQA specification.

Our tutors provide clear explanations and drills on essential grammar topics, ensuring students master verb tenses and sentence structures that are vital for success.

We also help students expand their vocabulary strategically, focusing on high-frequency words and thematic vocabulary to maximise exam performance.

For listening and reading skills, we break down practice tasks step-by-step, teaching students how to identify key information and avoid common traps. Writing skills are developed through guided exercises that encourage varied sentence structures, accurate grammar, and effective communication.

Importantly, we integrate regular past paper practice and personalised feedback into our lessons, so students become familiar with exam formats and build the confidence to perform under pressure. Our approach ensures that learners not only improve their language proficiency but also gain the strategies and self-assurance needed to excel in every element of the AQA GCSE Spanish exams.