AS Units — Unit 1: Speaking (Non-exam assessment) — WJEC A-Level Spanish

Unit 1: Speaking (Non-exam assessment) is a core component of the WJEC A-Level Spanish qualification, designed to assess your ability to communicate spontaneously and accurately in spoken Spanish. This unit requires you to engage in a discussion on a theme of your choice, followed by a general conversation covering two of the four main A-Level themes: social issues, political and artistic culture, and the Spanish-speaking world. The assessment is internally conducted and externally moderated, accounting for 30% of the total A-Level marks. Mastering this unit is crucial because it demonstrates your practical language skills, cultural knowledge, and ability to think critically in real-time—skills highly valued by universities and employers.

The speaking assessment is divided into two parts: Part A (5-6 minutes) involves a presentation and discussion on an individual research project (IRP) based on a topic of personal interest related to the Spanish-speaking world. Part B (9-10 minutes) is a general conversation covering two themes from the specification. You are expected to use a range of vocabulary, complex grammar structures, and idiomatic expressions, while also showing awareness of cultural nuances. This unit not only tests your linguistic proficiency but also your ability to engage with authentic materials and express informed opinions, making it a holistic measure of your Spanish capabilities.

Success in this unit requires consistent practice, exposure to diverse Spanish-language media, and a strategic approach to structuring your arguments. The WJEC specification emphasises spontaneity, so memorised responses are discouraged. Instead, focus on developing a deep understanding of your chosen IRP topic and the broader themes, enabling you to respond flexibly to examiner questions. This unit also prepares you for real-world interactions, such as study abroad, professional communication, or further academic study in Spanish.

• →Individual Research Project (IRP): Choose a topic related to the Spanish-speaking world (e.g., history, culture, social issues) and prepare a 2-minute presentation followed by a discussion. The topic must be distinct from the themes covered in the general conversation.
• →Spontaneity and Interaction: The examiner assesses your ability to respond naturally, ask for clarification, and develop ideas without relying on pre-learned scripts. Use fillers like 'bueno', 'pues', and 'a ver' to sound more natural.
• →Complex Language: Incorporate a range of tenses (present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, subjunctive), idiomatic expressions (e.g., 'echar una mano' for 'to lend a hand'), and varied vocabulary to achieve higher marks.
• →Cultural Awareness: Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, and political aspects of Spanish-speaking countries. For example, discuss the impact of the Spanish Civil War or the role of 'la siesta' in modern Spain.
• →Structuring Arguments: Use discourse markers like 'por un lado', 'por otro lado', 'sin embargo', and 'además' to present balanced arguments and counterarguments.

• Understanding main points, gist, and detail from spoken and written material
• Inferring meaning from complex spoken and written material
• Assimilating and using information from spoken and written sources
• Summarizing information from spoken and written sources
• Translating unseen passages from Spanish into English/Welsh
• Critical response in writing (approx. 300 words) on a prescribed film
• Analysis of film aspects such as plot structure, characterization, and stylistic features

• 💡Ensure the critical response essay focuses on in-depth analysis rather than just plot summary
• 💡Practice translating unseen passages to improve accuracy in conveying meaning between languages
• 💡Familiarize yourself with the prescribed film's cultural and social context
• 💡Manage time effectively across the four sections of the 2 hour 30 minute exam
• 💡Tip 1: For the IRP, choose a topic you are genuinely passionate about. This will make it easier to speak at length and respond to unexpected questions. Prepare a mind map of key points, statistics, and opinions, but avoid writing a full script.
• 💡Tip 2: In the general conversation, listen carefully to the examiner's questions and answer directly. If you don't understand, ask for clarification (e.g., '¿Podría repetir la pregunta?'). Use the question as a springboard to show off your knowledge—link your answer to broader themes.
• 💡Tip 3: Practise speaking with a timer and record yourself. Focus on fluency and pronunciation, especially tricky sounds like the rolled 'r' and the 'c' before 'e' or 'i' (e.g., 'gracias' pronounced 'grathias' in Castilian Spanish). Aim for a natural pace—neither too fast nor too slow.

• Failure to adhere to the 300-word limit for the critical response
• Inability to infer meaning from abstract content
• Lack of critical analysis in the film essay (e.g., merely summarizing the plot instead of analyzing it)
• Inaccurate translation due to ignoring context or register
• Misconception: You can memorise a script for the IRP presentation and discussion. Correction: The examiner will ask unpredictable follow-up questions, so you must understand your topic deeply and be able to discuss it from multiple angles. Memorisation leads to robotic responses and lower marks.
• Misconception: The general conversation is just a casual chat. Correction: It is a formal assessment where you must demonstrate high-level language skills. Prepare to discuss themes in depth, using evidence and examples. Avoid one-word answers; always develop your responses.
• Misconception: Using advanced vocabulary is enough to get top marks. Correction: Accuracy is equally important. A wide range of vocabulary must be combined with correct grammar, pronunciation, and intonation. Errors in subjunctive or gender agreement can limit your score.