What is the difference between 'el instituto' and 'el colegio' in Spanish?

In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'el colegio' refers to a primary school or a private school, while 'el instituto' specifically refers to a state secondary school. For WJEC GCSE purposes, if you are describing your current secondary school, 'mi instituto' (or 'mi insti' for short) is the most appropriate and natural-sounding term.

How do I say 'I have been studying Spanish for five years'?

You must use the present tense with the 'desde hace' construction. The correct translation is 'Estudio español desde hace cinco años'. Avoid using the past tense or 'he estado estudiando', as this is a literal translation from English that does not sound natural in Spanish.

How do I describe my school rules for the WJEC exam?

Use the impersonal 'se debe' (one must) or 'no se debe' (one must not). For example, 'Se debe llevar uniforme' (One must wear uniform) or 'No se permite usar el móvil en clase' (Using mobiles in class is not permitted). This shows the examiner you can use modal verbs and impersonal structures effectively.

What are the best adjectives to describe a teacher?

To get higher marks, move beyond 'simpático' or 'divertido'. Use more specific adjectives like 'exigente' (demanding), 'paciente' (patient), 'severo' (strict), or 'trabajador' (hard-working). Always follow these with a reason, such as 'porque explica muy bien las cosas' (because they explain things very well).

Is 'la educación física' the only way to say PE?

Yes, 'la educación física' is the formal term used in the curriculum. In casual conversation, you might hear 'educación física' or simply 'gimnasia', but for your WJEC exam, sticking to the full term is safer and more professional.

How do I talk about school facilities I don't have?

This is a great way to use negative structures and the conditional. You could say, 'En mi insti no hay piscina, pero si tuviera una, nadaría todos los días' (In my school there isn't a pool, but if it had one, I would swim every day). This demonstrates complex grammar and expands your answer.

Current Study – School/College Studies

WJEC

GCSE

This topic covers the school and college environment, including school life, subjects, and the academic experience within the educational system.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The 'Current Study' topic, often referred to as 'Mi vida escolar', is a fundamental pillar of the WJEC GCSE Spanish specification. It focuses on the student's ability to describe their daily educational environment, including school subjects, facilities, teachers, and the complex rules that govern their day. This topic serves as a vital bridge to the 'Future Aspirations' theme, as it provides the linguistic tools necessary to discuss academic preferences and career paths.

Beyond simple vocabulary, this module tests your ability to provide nuanced opinions and justifications. In the WJEC exam, you aren't just expected to say you like a subject; you must explain why, using sophisticated structures and varied adjectives. Mastering this topic ensures you can confidently navigate the Speaking and Writing components, where school life is a frequent context for both role-plays and extended essays.

Understanding the cultural differences between the UK and Spanish education systems is also key. For instance, the distinction between 'el instituto' and 'el colegio', or the different grading systems, adds a layer of authenticity to your answers. This topic fits into the wider subject by reinforcing core grammatical structures like the present tense, 'desde hace' constructions, and the use of modal verbs for school regulations.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Mastery of school subjects (las asignaturas) and facilities (las instalaciones), ensuring correct gender and number agreement for items like 'el laboratorio' versus 'las aulas'.
→The use of 'desde hace' with the present tense to express how long you have been studying a specific subject (e.g., 'Estudio español desde hace tres años').
→Expressing and justifying opinions using a range of intensifiers (bastante, muy, sumamente) and varied conjunctions (ya que, puesto que, dado que) to avoid repetition of 'porque'.
→Describing school rules and pressures using modal verbs such as 'se debe' (one must), 'está prohibido' (it is forbidden), and 'no se permite' (it is not allowed).
→Comparing the current school day with primary school (la escuela primaria) to demonstrate the ability to switch between the present and imperfect tenses.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Ability to communicate orally and in writing about school life and studies
Use of accurate grammar and structures related to school contexts
Expression of opinions and justifications regarding school subjects
Ability to narrate events related to school experiences
Use of appropriate vocabulary for school facilities, subjects, and routines

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Ability to communicate orally and in writing about school life and studies
Use of accurate grammar and structures related to school contexts
Expression of opinions and justifications regarding school subjects
Ability to narrate events related to school experiences
Use of appropriate vocabulary for school facilities, subjects, and routines

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Familiarise yourself with the specific vocabulary list for school subjects and facilities
💡Practice expressing opinions using a variety of verbs (e.g., gustar, encantar, odiar) and justifications
💡Ensure you can use different tenses to talk about past school experiences and future study plans
💡Use connectives to link ideas when writing or speaking about school life
💡To reach the higher mark bands in WJEC Writing, include a 'Si' clause such as 'Si fuera el director, cambiaría el uniforme' (If I were the headteacher, I would change the uniform). This demonstrates mastery of the conditional and imperfect subjunctive.
💡In the Speaking exam, avoid one-word answers. If asked what your favourite subject is, name it, give two reasons why, and mention a subject you used to like but now find difficult.
💡Pay close attention to the 'tu' vs 'usted' form in role-plays. If you are speaking to a teacher or a receptionist in a school setting, you must use the formal 'usted' to show cultural awareness.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Incorrect use of school-related vocabulary
Failure to justify opinions on subjects
Inaccurate verb conjugations when describing school routines
Misuse of prepositions when discussing school locations or times
Translating 'College' as 'El Colegio': In Spanish, 'el colegio' usually refers to primary or all-through schools. For a UK secondary school context, 'el instituto' is the more accurate term for students aged 11-18.
Incorrect use of 'Me Gusta': Students often treat 'gustar' like a standard verb. Remember that 'me gustan las ciencias' is plural because 'las ciencias' is the subject. You are saying 'Sciences please me', not 'I like sciences'.
Confusion between 'Ser' and 'Estar': Use 'ser' for permanent characteristics of your school (Mi insti es antiguo) and 'estar' for its location (Mi insti está en las afueras).

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Step 1: Use active recall to memorise 20-30 key nouns covering subjects, facilities, and school equipment, ensuring you know the gender of each.
2Step 2: Create a 'bank' of 10 varied adjectives to describe teachers (e.g., exigente, paciente, severo) and practice pairing them with justifications.
3Step 3: Practice the 'desde hace' structure by writing five sentences about how long you have studied different subjects or played school sports.
4Step 4: Record yourself describing your school day for 1 minute, then listen back to check for correct verb endings and pronunciation of 'j' and 'll' sounds.
5Step 5: Complete a timed WJEC-style 90-word writing task on the pros and cons of school uniform, focusing on using three different tenses.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋Photo Card: You will likely see a picture of students in a classroom or canteen. You must describe the scene using the present continuous (están estudiando) and answer follow-up questions about your own school.
📋Role Play: You may act as a student asking for information about a Spanish school. Focus on forming accurate questions using '¿A qué hora empiezan las clases?' or '¿Hay una biblioteca?'.
📋Writing Task (90/150 words): A common prompt asks you to compare your school now with your primary school. This requires a clear shift between the present and imperfect tenses to gain marks for 'variety of language'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Formation of the present tense for regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs.
•Basic adjective agreement rules (masculine, feminine, and plural forms).
•Understanding of basic opinion starters like 'creo que' and 'pienso que'.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Describe

Explica

Menciona

Justifica

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Current Study – School/College Studies

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Spanish

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

Appendix B: Grammar Requirements – Foundation Tier

Current and Future Study and Employment

Current Study – School/College Life

How to Revise Current Study – School/College Studies — WJEC GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Current Study – School/College Studies

Common Mistakes in Current Study – School/College Studies

Key Marking Points

Current Study – School/College Studies

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'el instituto' and 'el colegio' in Spanish?

How do I say 'I have been studying Spanish for five years'?

How do I describe my school rules for the WJEC exam?

What are the best adjectives to describe a teacher?

Is 'la educación física' the only way to say PE?

How do I talk about school facilities I don't have?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Spanish

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

Appendix B: Grammar Requirements – Foundation Tier

Current and Future Study and Employment

Current Study – School/College Life