In the new GCSE specifications (9-1), translation has increased in weighting. Typically, it accounts for 10-15% of the total writing mark.
El sábado pasado, fui al cine con mis amigos. (Mark: 1 – preterite of ‘ir’; 1 – correct contraction ‘al’; 1 – possessive ‘mis’)
For students preparing for their GCSE Spanish exams, mastering translation is a critical skill that often accounts for a significant portion of the writing paper (e.g., 12 marks in the AQA Higher Tier). Success requires more than a word-for-word exchange; it demands a deep understanding of grammatical structures, cultural nuances, and common linguistic traps. The Core Challenges of GCSE Translation
Use the answer PDF to mark your work.
✅ Include 2–3 correct variations (e.g., using soler , synonyms) to reflect natural language.
Spanish typically places adjectives after nouns (e.g., el coche rojo ) and frequently omits subject pronouns ( Hablo español instead of Yo hablo español ).
Development of English-to-Spanish Translation Exercises for GCSE: A Resource Specification
Antes de que vaya a la universidad, quiero viajar por Sudamérica durante tres meses. (Mark: 3 – subjunctive after ‘antes de que’; 2 – ‘viajar por’ vs ‘viajar a’)
There are several types of translation exercises you can use to practice your skills:
