The A-Level Spanish Reading & Listening Paper 1: tips and tricks

Summary

In this video, the speaker provides valuable tips for revising for the AQA A-Level Spanish Paper 1, which includes listening, reading, and writing components. The paper consists of listening and reading comprehension sections with multiple-choice and short-answer questions, as well as translation tasks. The speaker emphasizes the importance of practice, vocabulary retention, and time management, especially for summary questions and translations. Key resources like Anki flashcards and Quizlet study sets are recommended for vocabulary revision. The speaker also suggests tackling past papers to improve performance, with advice relevant for both AQA and Edexcel students.

Takeaways

• 😀 A-Level Spanish Paper 1 consists of listening, reading, and writing sections, with a total of 100 marks and a time limit of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• 😀 The listening section (Section A) is worth 30 marks, and the reading section (Section B) is worth 70 marks.
• 😀 Practice with past papers is crucial for time management, especially for the translation questions at the end of the paper.
• 😀 The listening section includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions, and it's important to take notes while listening.
• 😀 Be careful with positive/negative questions in the listening section, as answers might involve both positive and negative aspects.
• 😀 For the reading section, expect questions like synonym identification and gap-fills, which are often easier and quicker to answer.
• 😀 Summary questions appear in both the listening and reading sections and are worth 12 marks each; practice them carefully to understand the mark scheme.
• 😀 Translation questions are at the end of the paper, and it's recommended to attempt them first to avoid fatigue later.
• 😀 Vocabulary is key to success in this exam, with flashcards (e.g., Anki and Quizlet) being helpful tools for revision.
• 😀 Grammar knowledge, especially irregular verb endings and tense manipulation, is vital for the exam, particularly in summary questions.
• 😀 Completing past papers from both AQA and Edexcel exam boards is an effective way to prepare for the exam, with AS-level papers being a good starting point for Year 12 students.

Q & A

What are the two main sections of the A-Level Spanish Paper 1?

The two main sections of the A-Level Spanish Paper 1 are Section A, which is Listening & Writing (worth 30 marks), and Section B, which is Reading & Writing (worth 70 marks).

How much time is allotted for completing the A-Level Spanish Paper 1, and how should you manage it?

You have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the A-Level Spanish Paper 1. While this seems like a lot of time, the paper can be completed in less time, especially with the translation questions. Time management depends on your practice with past papers.

What types of listening questions are typically included in the exam?

The listening section includes multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and sometimes a list of phrases where you must pick the correct ones. The questions are often in chronological order with the audio.

What is a common mistake students make in the positive/negative listening questions?

A common mistake is that students only choose either the positive or the negative answer, when in fact, the answer may include both positive and negative elements.

How should students approach the multiple choice and short answer questions in the listening section?

Students should attempt multiple choice questions twice to ensure accuracy and make short notes during the listening. It's also important to answer the questions in chronological order based on the audio.

What is the format of reading questions in the A-Level Spanish Paper 1?

Reading questions can include multiple choice and short answer questions. AQA often includes synonym-finding and gap-fill questions, which test vocabulary and comprehension.

What is the main difficulty with the summary questions in both listening and reading sections?

Summary questions are the trickiest in the paper because they require students to condense and rephrase information. The mark scheme for these questions is specific, so understanding how to structure the answers is key.

How should students approach the translation questions at the end of the paper?

Students are recommended to attempt the translation questions first, either as a first draft or by doing them at the start of the exam. This ensures they are fresh and can come back to them later for revision.

What are some effective methods for revising vocabulary for this exam?

Using tools like Anki flashcards is a great way to revise vocabulary. Students can also access Quizlet study sets or extra vocabulary documents from the Oxford textbook on the teacher’s website.

How can past papers help students prepare for the A-Level Spanish Paper 1?

Doing past papers under timed conditions helps students practice their skills, understand the exam format, and improve their time management. It's recommended to start with AS papers before moving to A-Level ones for gradual progression.