GCSE Spanish (WJEC)
Teaching from September 2025 | First award Summer 2027
Made for Wales. Ready for the world.
What is GCSE Spanish?
GCSE Spanish helps students develop the skills needed to understand, speak, read and write Spanish with confidence. The course encourages learners to communicate effectively in real‑life situations while gaining an understanding of Spanish‑speaking cultures and communities.
The qualification is fully aligned with the Curriculum for Wales and supports learners in becoming confident communicators and global citizens.
What will students study?
The GCSE Spanish course builds language skills across three broad themes, which run throughout all assessments:
- Language for leisure and wellbeing
- Language for travel
- Language for study and work
Vocabulary and grammar are taught in ways that allow language to be reused across topics, helping students build fluency and confidence.
How is the course assessed?
GCSE Spanish is a linear, untiered qualification, meaning all assessments are taken at the end of the course and all students sit the same papers.
⚠️ Dictionaries are not allowed in any assessment.
Unit 1: Oracy (Speaking)
Non‑examination assessment – 30% of the GCSE
Students complete a recorded speaking test lasting 7–10 minutes, made up of:
- A read‑aloud and role play
- A prepared presentation with discussion
- A short unprepared conversation
This unit assesses pronunciation, communication skills and the ability to express ideas and opinions in Spanish.
Unit 2: Reading and Writing
Non‑examination assessment – 15% of the GCSE
Students:
- Study a Spanish‑language work (for example a short novel, graphic novel or film script)
- Complete a written task in Spanish showing understanding and personal response
This unit allows learners to engage with Spanish in a more creative and cultural way.
Unit 3: Listening
Written examination – 20% of the GCSE
In this listening exam, students respond to a range of spoken Spanish, including:
- Conversations
- Announcements
- Interviews
- Podcasts and adverts
Responses are given in English or Welsh.
Unit 4: Reading and Writing
Written examination – 35% of the GCSE
This final exam includes:
- Reading comprehension tasks
- Translation from Spanish into English or Welsh
- A writing task in Spanish based on familiar contexts
What language skills are developed?
Across all four units, students build skills in:
- Listening and reading for meaning
- Speaking clearly and confidently
- Writing accurately and creatively
- Using a wide range of grammar, vocabulary and verb tenses
- Translating between Spanish and English/Welsh
All assessed language comes from defined grammar and vocabulary lists, ensuring clarity and fairness for learners.
Cultural understanding
GCSE Spanish explores the culture and society of Spanish‑speaking countries, helping students understand:
- Daily life and traditions
- Identity and diversity
- Global connections and perspectives
This supports the Curriculum for Wales focus on empathy, inclusion and intercultural understanding.
Who should choose GCSE Spanish?
GCSE Spanish is suitable for students who:
- Enjoy learning languages and communicating ideas
- Want a subject that supports future study, travel or work
- Are interested in other cultures and global issues
No specific prior learning is required beyond Key Stage 3 Spanish.
How does GCSE Spanish support future pathways?
GCSE Spanish provides a strong foundation for:
- AS and A level Languages
- Further study in languages, travel, business or international careers
- Employment where communication and cultural awareness are valued
Key information at a glance
- Qualification: WJEC GCSE Spanish
- Course length: 2 years (Years 10 and 11)
- Assessment: 45% non‑examined assessment, 55% written exams
- First award: Summer 2027
- Tiering: None (one level for all learners)
