Can a complete beginner reach exam standard in two years?

Yes - the course is designed exactly for that arc, moving from first words to exam-ready fluency across Years 10 and 11 with constant practice in between.

What does the speaking exam look like?

Three short tasks over 8 to 10 minutes, taken in April or May. Because our lessons are conversation-heavy, students arrive at it well rehearsed.

Who teaches the course?

A native-speaking specialist Spanish teacher - supported by the school's mentors and one-to-one help where a student needs extra practice.

Is there any coursework?

None. The grade comes from three exams covering the four skills equally, so lessons focus on building genuine ability in each one.

How do we keep track of progress from home?

Everything lands in the parent view of the learning platform - results, written feedback, attendance - and the school flags anything that needs attention early.

Does Spanish continue at sixth form with you?

Yes - A Level Spanish runs at Oxford Online School, so students can carry the same subject - and often the same confidence - straight through.

Key Stage 4

🇪🇸 Spanish

For school aged learners, ages 14-16

Overview

Spanish lessons here feel like a lively classroom that happens to be on screen: live, interactive and led by a specialist teacher to a fixed two-year timetable. An average class size of 15 means everyone is included in conversation practice every single lesson, and steady assessment plus full mock exams make the final papers feel familiar territory.

What Students Study

Why study Spanish?

With well over 400 million native speakers across Spain and the Americas, Spanish is one of the most useful languages a student can carry into adult life. It opens up travel, culture and future careers in trade, tourism, translation and international work - and it progresses seamlessly to A Level Spanish, which we also teach. Students who start it young keep a lifelong head start.

Course content

We deliver the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Spanish specification (4SP1), building all four skills through five themes:

Home and abroad - life in Spanish-speaking towns, regions, holidays and customs
Education and employment - school days, part-time work and plans after study
Personal life and relationships - family life, friendship and the daily routine
The world around us - the environment, technology, media and travel
Social activities, fitness and health - sport, celebrations, eating well and free time

Course Details

Examinations and assessments

Assessment is 100% examination through Pearson Edexcel, with listening, reading, writing and speaking each worth a quarter of the grade across three papers. Speaking is examined in April or May; the remaining papers run in the May and June series.

Depending on the student's country and the board's regulations for languages, exams are sat under formal remote invigilation or at an approved centre nearby - the arrangements are ours to sort, not yours.

Paper 1 - Listening: 30 minutes, plus 5 minutes' reading time - worth a quarter of the marks
Paper 2 - Reading and Writing: 1 hour 45 minutes - half the marks, split evenly between the two skills
Paper 3 - Speaking: three short tasks over 8 to 10 minutes - the final quarter

Qualification

Successful students gain the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) in Spanish, recognised around the world and the direct route into our A Level Spanish course.

Entry requirements

No formal entry requirements apply, and students can start with no Spanish at all. Lessons are delivered in English as well as Spanish, so a working command of English is needed to take part.

Meet the teacher

“I'm committed to making language learning engaging and accessible, helping students develop confidence and fluency through dynamic, interactive lessons.”

Mrs. E. Alonso-Ezbakh, Spanish teacher

Study full time or part time

Spanish works within the full six-subject programme or as a single subject - and because our A Level Spanish runs too, students can stay with the same school right through sixth form.

Use the fees calculator for an instant, personalised cost.