Appendix A: Prescribed Vocabulary List (organised by theme/sub-theme) — WJEC GCSE Spanish Revision

    Appendix A provides a non-exhaustive, guide-only list of prescribed vocabulary for the WJEC GCSE Spanish qualification, organised by the three broad themes

    Topic Synopsis

    Appendix A provides a non-exhaustive, guide-only list of prescribed vocabulary for the WJEC GCSE Spanish qualification, organised by the three broad themes: Identity and culture, Wales and the World – areas of interest, and Current and future study and employment.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Examiner Marking Points

    Appendix A: Prescribed Vocabulary List (organised by theme/sub-theme)

    WJEC
    GCSE

    Appendix A provides a non-exhaustive, guide-only list of prescribed vocabulary for the WJEC GCSE Spanish qualification, organised by the three broad themes: Identity and culture, Wales and the World – areas of interest, and Current and future study and employment.

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    Objectives
    3
    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    3
    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    This topic covers the prescribed vocabulary list for WJEC GCSE Spanish, organised by theme and sub-theme. The vocabulary is grouped into three main themes: Identity and Culture, Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest, and Current and Future Study and Employment. Each theme contains sub-themes such as family and friends, technology, free time, customs and festivals, home and town, social issues, global issues, travel and tourism, school, and jobs. Mastering this vocabulary is essential for success in all four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

    The prescribed list ensures that you are learning the most relevant and frequently used words for the exam. It is not just about memorising isolated words; you need to understand how to use them in context, including correct gender, number, and verb conjugations. This vocabulary forms the building blocks for expressing ideas, opinions, and arguments in Spanish. By systematically learning these words, you will be able to tackle exam questions with confidence and precision.

    This vocabulary list is a core component of the WJEC GCSE Spanish specification. It directly supports the assessment objectives, particularly AO1 (listening and reading comprehension) and AO2 (spoken and written production). The list is designed to be manageable yet comprehensive, covering all the key areas you need to communicate effectively at this level. Regular revision and active use of these words will significantly boost your exam performance.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Vocabulary is organised by theme and sub-theme: learn words in context to aid memory and application.
    • →Focus on high-frequency words: these appear most often in exams and real-life communication.
    • →Understand word class (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) and grammatical features like gender and number.
    • →Use vocabulary actively: practise writing sentences and speaking aloud to embed words in long-term memory.
    • →Recognise cognates and near-cognates: words similar to English can help you deduce meaning.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Vocabulary used in assessments is not limited to this list.
    • Foundation tier candidates must understand and respond to common/familiar words not on the list.
    • Higher tier candidates must understand and respond to less common/familiar words not on the list.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Vocabulary used in assessments is not limited to this list.
    • Foundation tier candidates must understand and respond to common/familiar words not on the list.
    • Higher tier candidates must understand and respond to less common/familiar words not on the list.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Use the list as a guide for revision but do not treat it as an exhaustive resource.
    • 💡Be prepared to encounter synonyms or related vocabulary not explicitly listed in the appendix.
    • 💡Focus on understanding the context of words within the specified sub-themes.
    • 💡Use the vocabulary list as a checklist: tick off words you know and revisit those you don't. Aim for active recall, not passive recognition.
    • 💡Practise using vocabulary in past paper questions: this helps you see how words are used in exam contexts and improves your speed.
    • 💡Create mind maps or flashcards grouped by theme: this reinforces connections between words and helps you retrieve them quickly.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Misconception: Learning vocabulary lists by heart is enough. Correction: You must also know how to use words in sentences, with correct grammar and context.
    • Misconception: All words are equally important. Correction: Focus on high-frequency and topic-specific words; some words appear rarely in exams.
    • Misconception: Gender of nouns is random. Correction: Many nouns follow patterns (e.g., -o masculine, -a feminine), but learn exceptions like 'el día' and 'la mano'.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic Spanish phonics and pronunciation: knowing how to say words correctly aids memorisation.
    • •Fundamental grammar: understanding verb conjugations (present tense) and noun-adjective agreement is essential for using vocabulary correctly.
    • •Familiarity with the WJEC GCSE Spanish specification: knowing the exam structure and assessment objectives helps you prioritise vocabulary learning.

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Completa
    Contesta
    Elige
    Empareja
    Escribe
    Escucha
    Lee
    Marca
    Rellena

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    Practice questions tailored to this topic

    Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Spanish

    Appendix B: Grammar Requirements – Foundation Tier

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    Current and Future Study and Employment

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    Current Study – School/College Life

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    Current Study – School/College Studies

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