A2 Units — Unit 3: Speaking / Independent Research Project (Non-exam assessment) — WJEC A-Level Spanish

Unit 3 of the WJEC A-Level Spanish specification is a non-exam assessment (NEA) that tests your speaking skills and independent research project. This unit is worth 12% of the total A-Level qualification and is conducted as a 15-minute oral examination with your teacher, externally moderated. The assessment is divided into two parts: a discussion of a stimulus card (5 minutes) and a presentation and discussion of your independent research project (10 minutes). The stimulus card covers one of the four A2 themes: social issues and trends, political and artistic culture, or aspects of Hispanic society. The independent research project allows you to explore a topic of personal interest related to the Spanish-speaking world, such as a historical event, a literary work, a film, or a cultural phenomenon.

This unit is crucial because it assesses your ability to communicate spontaneously, justify opinions, and engage in extended discourse in Spanish. It also develops your research skills, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. The independent research project is particularly valuable as it enables you to demonstrate depth of knowledge and personal engagement with a topic that genuinely interests you. Success in this unit requires not only linguistic proficiency but also the ability to structure arguments, use evidence effectively, and respond to follow-up questions with confidence.

The NEA format means that preparation is key. You will have 15 minutes to prepare the stimulus card before the discussion, during which you can make notes. For the research project, you will submit a title and a summary of your research in advance. The examiner will then ask you to present your findings for up to 2 minutes, followed by a discussion. This unit fits into the wider A-Level by consolidating the themes and grammar studied across all units, while also giving you the opportunity to showcase your independent learning and passion for the subject.

• →Stimulus card discussion: You must analyse a card containing a short text and a question, then discuss it with your teacher. You need to express opinions, justify them, and relate the topic to the wider Hispanic world.
• →Independent research project: Choose a topic related to the Spanish-speaking world (e.g., history, literature, art, politics). You must present your findings and answer questions, demonstrating depth of knowledge and personal evaluation.
• →Spontaneous speech: The assessment is not scripted. You must respond naturally to questions, using a range of vocabulary and complex structures (e.g., subjunctive, conditional, passive voice).
• →Justification and evaluation: You must not only describe but also analyse and evaluate. For example, in the research project, you should discuss the significance, impact, or controversies of your topic.
• →Cultural awareness: Show understanding of the cultural context of the Spanish-speaking world, including regional variations (e.g., Spain vs. Latin America) and contemporary issues.

• Accuracy in listening and reading comprehension
• Ability to infer meaning from complex spoken and written material
• Competence in assimilating and using information from various sources
• Accuracy in translating from English/Welsh into Spanish
• Understanding of different registers and types of communication
• Ability to report key points and subject matter

• 💡Practice translating unseen passages from English/Welsh to Spanish regularly
• 💡Ensure familiarity with both A-level themes: Social issues and trends, and Political, intellectual and artistic culture
• 💡Develop strategies for skimming and scanning extended texts
• 💡Listen to a variety of authentic sources to improve understanding of different accents and registers
• 💡Dictionaries are not permitted in any part of the assessment
• 💡For the stimulus card, use the 15-minute preparation time wisely: identify the main issue, brainstorm arguments for and against, and note key vocabulary. During the discussion, listen carefully to the teacher's questions and respond directly, using phrases like 'En mi opinión...' or 'Por un lado... por otro lado...'.
• 💡For the research project, choose a topic you are genuinely passionate about. This will make your presentation more engaging and help you handle questions confidently. Ensure your project has a clear focus (e.g., 'The role of women in the Spanish Civil War' rather than just 'Spanish history').
• 💡Practice speaking for extended periods without notes. Record yourself and listen for fluency, pronunciation, and grammatical errors. Also, practice answering unexpected questions by having a friend or teacher quiz you on your topic.

• Failure to adhere to the 2-hour time limit
• Inaccurate translation due to lack of attention to grammatical nuance
• Misinterpreting abstract content in complex texts
• Ignoring register differences in listening passages
• Misconception: You can memorise a script for the research project presentation. Correction: The examiner expects spontaneous interaction. Memorising a script can lead to unnatural delivery and difficulty answering follow-up questions. Instead, prepare key points and practice speaking flexibly.
• Misconception: The stimulus card discussion is just about describing the card. Correction: You must go beyond description to analyse, express opinions, and link to broader themes. For example, if the card is about immigration, discuss its causes, effects, and compare with other countries.
• Misconception: Using complex grammar is enough to get top marks. Correction: Accuracy is important, but so is fluency, pronunciation, and interaction. You must also show that you can handle interruptions, rephrase, and clarify your ideas.