Speaking Exam Preparation
Speaking Exam Preparation
The AQA GCSE Spanish speaking exam has three parts: Role Play, Photo Card, and General Conversation. Worth 25% of your total grade.
Part 1: Role Play (approx. 2 minutes)
You receive a card with a scenario and 5 tasks. You have the card during preparation time.
Tips
- Each bullet point = one response. Keep answers short and accurate.
- ! = you must ask a question.
- ? = an unpredictable question — listen carefully.
- Practise common scenarios: booking accommodation, ordering food, buying tickets, at the doctor's.
Example tasks and responses:
| Task | Response |
|---|---|
| Say what you ate yesterday | Ayer comí una pizza. |
| Ask what time the restaurant closes | ¿A qué hora cierra el restaurante? |
| Say you would like to reserve a room | Quisiera reservar una habitación, por favor. |
| Say when you are arriving | Llego el quince de agosto. |
Key Phrases for Role Plays
- Quisiera... / Me gustaría... — I would like...
- ¿Hay...? — Is there...?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- ¿A qué hora...? — At what time...?
- ¿Dónde está...? — Where is...?
- ¿Se puede...? — Is it possible to...?
Part 2: Photo Card (approx. 2 minutes)
Describe a photo, answer two specific questions, then answer an unpredictable question on the same theme.
Structure Your Description
1. Who: Hay un chico / una chica / unas personas...
2. Where: Están en un parque / en la playa / en un aula...
3. What: Están jugando / comiendo / hablando / sonriendo...
4. When: Hace buen tiempo, así que probablemente es verano...
5. Opinion: Parecen contentos / cansados. En mi opinión, es una escena agradable.
Example:
- En la foto, veo a dos jóvenes que montan en bici en un parque. Hace buen tiempo y parecen contentos. Creo que es el fin de semana porque no llevan uniforme.
Handling the Unpredictable Question
- If you don't understand: ¿Puede repetir, por favor?
- Give an opinion + reason: Creo que... porque...
- Include a time frame: Normalmente... / El año pasado... / En el futuro...
Part 3: General Conversation (3–5 min Foundation, 5–7 min Higher)
You choose one theme; the teacher chooses the other.
How to Give Strong Answers — The PORE Technique
- Point: state your view
- Opinion: personal reaction
- Reason: because...
- Example/Extension: time frame, detail, or comparison
Example question: ¿Qué haces en tu tiempo libre?
Strong answer: "Normalmente juego al fútbol los sábados con mis amigos (present) porque es una buena forma de mantenerme en forma (reason). El fin de semana pasado, ganamos nuestro partido (past) y fue genial. El verano que viene, me gustaría probar el tenis (future/conditional) porque me interesa."
General Speaking Tips
- Pronounce clearly — Spanish pronunciation is largely phonetic but practise: rr, ñ, ll, j, z/c.
- Don't rush — slow and accurate beats fast and messy.
- Self-correct — if you catch a mistake, fix it. Examiners reward this.
- Extend answers — never give one-word responses. Aim for 3–4 sentences per question.
- Use fillers: bueno (well), pues (so/well), a ver (let's see), o sea (I mean), en realidad (actually) — they buy thinking time and sound natural.
- Vary tenses — the mark scheme explicitly rewards this. Include past, present, and future.
- Preparation time (12 minutes): plan role play answers, describe the photo, note key vocab for your chosen theme.