GCSE Spanish AQA

This subject is broken down into 127 topics in 13 modules:

  1. Identity and Culture 22 topics
  2. Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest 16 topics
  3. Current and Future Study and Employment 6 topics
  4. Grammar 43 topics
  5. General Stuff 5 topics
  6. Me, My Family and Friends 6 topics
  7. Free Time Activities 6 topics
  8. Technology in Everyday Life 3 topics
  9. Where you Live 7 topics
  10. Customs and Festivals 2 topics
  11. Lifestyle 3 topics
  12. Social and Global Issues 3 topics
  13. Travel and Tourism 5 topics
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  • 13
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  • 127
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  • 41,662
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  • 5+
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Spanish

Identity and Culture

Numbers

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Numbers

Essential Basics

  • Start your revision by familiarising yourself with the numerical system in Spanish. Ensure to know numbers from 0 to 100, and be able to recognise useful numbers such as 500 (quinientos), 1,000 (mil) and 1,000,000 (un millón).
  • Spanish numbers can function as both nouns and adjectives. When functioning as an adjective, the number agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
  • The Spanish word for number is número. You might hear cuántos, which means 'how many' before an object count, for instance, ¿Cuántos libros tienes? (How many books do you have?).

Pronunciation and Accuracy

  • Focus on the irregular cardinal numbers (uno, dos, tres, etc.) in Spanish, such as primero and tercero, which drop the final 'o' before a masculine singular noun (el primer chico, el tercer día).
  • Pay attention to each number's respective pronunciation to ensure proper articulation during the oral component of the assessment.

Understanding Relevance in Context

  • Time is a crucial element when discussing identity and culture. Hence, practise expressing various ways of telling time in Spanish using numbers.
  • Ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are important as they are used in daily life conversations, addresses, fractions, and dates.
  • Learn how to express practises related to numbers within the context of Spanish culture, such as Spanish customary ways of expressing time, dates and currency.

Expanding Vocabulary and Practice

  • Keep expanding your vocabulary by learning words associated with numbers such as 'half' (medio/a), 'more than' (más de), 'less than' (menos de), 'about' (cerca de), 'almost' (casi).
  • Engage with practise materials, such as worksheets and quizzes, to reinforce your understanding and fluency in Spanish numbers.
  • Always incorporate numbers in your speaking practise, as this will help you get comfortable using them in conversation.

Course material for Spanish, module Identity and Culture, topic Numbers

Spanish

Grammar

Grammar: Verbs - Ser and Estar

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Grammar: Verbs - Ser and Estar

Usage of the Verbs "Ser" and "Estar"

  • The verbs "ser" and "estar" both translate to "to be" in English, but are used in different contexts in Spanish.
  • "Ser" is used for describing permanent or lasting attributes. This can be remembered with the acronym DOCTOR: Description, Occupation, Characteristic, Time, Origin, and Relationship.
  • In contrast, "estar" is used for temporary states, locations, and to form the progressive tenses. Remember this with the acronym PLACE: Position, Location, Action in progress, Condition, Emotion.
  • The choice between "ser" and "estar" sometimes results in a change of meaning. For example, "ser aburrido" means to be a boring person, while "estar aburrido" means to be bored.
  • Practice is key to understand when to use the verbs "ser" or "estar". Try to read and listen to as much Spanish content as possible and pay attention to how these verbs are used.

Conjugation of "Ser" and "Estar"

  • "Ser" conjugates as: soy (I am), eres (you are, singular), es (he/she/it is), somos (we are), sois (you plural are, Spain), son (they/you formal are).
  • "Estar" conjugates as: estoy (I am), estás (you are, singular), está (he/she/it is), estamos (we are), estáis (you plural are, Spain), están (they/you formal are).

Examples of "Ser" and "Estar"

  • The sentence "La manzana es verde" (The apple is green.) uses "ser" since it refers to an inherent characteristic - the colour of the apple.
  • In contrast, "La manzana está verde" (The apple is green) uses "estar" since it means the apple is unripe (a temporary state) rather than being green in colour.
  • The past participle is often used with "estar" to describe conditions resulting from a previous action. For example, "La puerta está cerrada" (The door is closed).

Course material for Spanish, module Grammar, topic Grammar: Verbs - Ser and Estar

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