Mastering Spanish IGCSE Speaking: 10 Insider Tips for Exam Success
- Languages on a Plate
- Sep 3, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 16, 2024
As an examiner who has marked the IGCSE speaking exam over several exam sessions, I can confidently say it's one of my favourite assessments. Unlike others, it allows students to showcase their individuality while maintaining a high level of academic rigor.
Drawing from my experience as both an examiner and teacher-examiner, I've compiled some key insights to help you prepare your students effectively. However, always refer to the official exam board guidelines, as requirements and specifications may vary.
Originally published 2nd October 2023, moved to blog 3rd September 2024
My Top 10 Tips for the IGCSE Spanish Speaking Exam
Get Your Admin Right: Don’t Waste the Examiner’s Time
It may seem obvious, but administrative errors could potentially impact the examiner’s impression of your pupils. In my most recent series, I calculated that I lost two hours due to teacher-examiners adding unnecessary information in the recordings. Moreover, I had entire days wasted because of incorrect uploads and missing files. It shouldn’t need saying, but this happens to me every year, so here I am saying it: avoid these issues by double-checking everything. Ensure you name your files correctly and upload the right recordings—one year, I received a recording of someone’s sibling from a previous year, and this year, I was sent someone’s mock exam. Also, follow the exam board’s instructions for identifying your centre and examiner number. Paying attention to these small details can prevent delays and potential unconscious bias against your pupils.
2. Choose an Appropriate and Personal Photo
The photo your pupils choose for their description plays a critical role. While it might be tempting to use stock images, these don’t allow pupils to express their individuality. I’ve seen many cases where centres upload similar photos from the same stock series, which can come across as over-prepared and devoid of personal engagement. Encourage pupils to select or take photos that reflect their personal interests and include elements that allow them to use less common vocabulary. This approach not only makes the description more engaging but also provides an opportunity to demonstrate a broader linguistic range. A photo that resonates with the pupil will likely lead to a more natural and extended conversation, which is key to scoring high marks.
3. Understand and Vary Your Question Types
One of the biggest pitfalls I've observed is teacher-examiners who aren't fully familiar with the specifications for question types. It's crucial to vary the types of questions you ask to give pupils the best chance to showcase different aspects of their language skills. For example, if the specification states "one question per question type," don’t repeat the same question type, as this limits the pupil's ability to demonstrate a full range of linguistic competencies. I’ve encountered situations where teachers repeatedly ask the same type of question, which leads to them running out of time and missing out on other required question types. Ensure you cover all necessary timeframes or tenses, as omitting these can cost valuable marks, especially in the photo section. Also, avoid closed questions, you can't reward much for "sí/no".
4. Showcase Your Pupils' Knowledge
As their teacher, you know your pupils' strengths and weaknesses. Use this knowledge to guide your questioning. If a pupil struggles with certain grammatical structures, avoid pushing them into areas where they might falter, especially in the photo description section. For example, if you know a pupil isn’t comfortable with the subjunctive, don’t force them into using it in the photo component; it’s unnecessary for accessing top marks and could result in errors that significantly hinder their performance. Instead, focus on helping pupils demonstrate their strengths. For more confident pupils, clearly signpost opportunities to use advanced structures or tenses. This strategy helps them pick up marks in areas where they excel, without the conversation feeling forced or rehearsed.
5. Encourage Pupils to Extend Their Answers
One of the most critical aspects of the speaking exam is the ability to extend answers. The exam boards generally look for responses that include at least three ideas or clauses. Teach your pupils to extend their answers by incorporating opinions, justifications, references to other people, and negatives. I’ve found that pupils who consistently include these elements in their responses tend to score higher. Additionally, encourage them to use different timeframes or tenses where appropriate. While these extensions might sometimes sound slightly unnatural to native speakers, they demonstrate a higher level of linguistic ability to examiners, which is what counts.
6. Avoid Over-Rehearsing
While preparation is crucial, over-rehearsing can be detrimental. The exam needs to flow naturally, and over-preparation can lead to robotic, memorised answers that lack spontaneity. This is particularly important when it comes to photo descriptions. I’ve seen pupils fall back on memorised descriptions from mock exams, sometimes even describing a different photo entirely. To avoid this, vary the practice materials enough to keep pupils on their toes, ensuring they’re prepared but not overly rehearsed. Also, be mindful of not blurring the lines between topic areas, as over-prepared responses can become predictable and mechanical. Examiners expect a degree of preparation, but they also value natural, flowing conversation.
7. Incorporate Open Questions in the General Conversation
While specificity is often necessary, starting each topic with an open-ended question like "describe tu colegio" can be beneficial. This approach allows pupils to introduce vocabulary and ideas unique to them, which can then be followed up with more spontaneous and natural questions. For instance, if a pupil mentions a specific activity or location within their school, you can use this as a springboard for further questions, making the conversation feel more authentic. This method helps keep the discussion flowing naturally and gives pupils a chance to guide the conversation towards areas they’re more comfortable with. However, always check your exam board's guidelines to ensure open questions are permissible.
8. Collocations and Set Phrases
Collocations and set phrases can be a powerful tool in a pupil’s linguistic arsenal, especially in a speaking exam. Teaching pupils a few key structures, such as "si tuviera el dinero me gustaría..." or "cuando sea mayor...", can help them demonstrate complex language use without needing to fully understand the underlying grammar. While this approach won’t get them top marks on its own, it can help secure a solid score, especially if they can handle basic tenses confidently. Throughout my teaching, I’ve seen how drilling these collocations into pupils’ minds throughout the year can significantly boost their confidence and fluency during the exam.
9. Practice Regularly with Varied Techniques
Speaking is a skill that improves with practice, and it’s crucial that pupils are comfortable with the exam format. Two methods that have proven effective for my classroom are "speed-mating" and dedicated practice days. Speed-mating involves setting up the classroom for rapid-fire practice, where pupils rotate partners and practice different topics. This method encourages collaborative learning and helps pupils pick up language from their peers. I’ve found that having a regular speed-mating session, say every fortnight, helps pupils get into the habit of thinking on their feet. Another valuable approach is dedicating a full day to practice closer to the exam date. Although it requires extra commitment, pupils often find this intensive preparation incredibly beneficial, as it allows them to focus entirely on their speaking skills without the distractions of a regular school day. Over the years, my pupils have consistently reported that these sessions were among the most helpful in their exam preparation. You can also book these through Languages on a Plate, and if you would prefer a weekend you can request it in your enquiry.
10. Read the Examiner’s Report and Consider Becoming an Examiner
After each exam series, take the time to read the examiner's report. It can provide insights that may shape how you prepare your pupils in the future, offering specific advice or highlighting common pitfalls. For example, the report might point out trends or common mistakes that could influence how you approach your teaching in the next cycle. Additionally, if possible, consider applying to become an examiner yourself. While the financial reward might not be significant, the experience and knowledge gained from hearing a wide range of pupil responses are invaluable. It gives you a deeper understanding of what examiners look for and can significantly improve your teaching and exam preparation strategies. Personally, I’ve found that becoming an examiner has transformed the way I approach exam preparation, offering me a wealth of insights that I couldn’t have gained otherwise.
For further work on the IGCSE Spanish Speaking, check out our related documents (included in any of our subscription plans that include Spanish Step 4), or buy a digital document for personal use from our store.
Additionally, as mentioned in the blog, you can book a speaking practice session with us. Just follow this link and fill out the form to get in contact.
