Spanish GCSE listening- how to get practice?

[SockFluffInTheBath]

DC just did mock GCSEs and got mostly 7s but then 22% in Spanish listening. DC is quiet, conscientious and was upset with this score, apparently none got over 30% in their class (mixed ability and DC is near the top). The teacher has apparently never done a proper listening test as there is always something wrong with the IT. Rights and wrongs of this aside how do I help DC to practice? I have holiday Spanish but no more. Are there online resources anyone can recommend please, or do I need to try to find a tutor? Writing and grammar are fine, just the listening.

My DC is similar with her GCSE language. She uses Duo Lingo, watches films and listens to music in the language she is studying.

@ANameChangeAgain that sounds like a good plan, does she have subtitles on?

I would go through any DELE listening tests you can find online.

DELE exams are the Spanish version of a Cambridge/IELTS English test, so they're designed for foreign speakers, and divided into levels according to the European framework.

I have no idea what level they achieve in Spanish GCSE, probably A2...? Get her to go through a few sample prep tests of A2/B1 online, and see which ones correspond to her level in writing or reading. Then go through the listening tests for that level. You can find transcriptions of the audios online, with a bit of digging, so at first she can read and follow while she listens, then progressively ditch the paper and listen only.

She could do a level test first, to see which level she's at according to the DELE tests. Lots of patience required if you're going to help her with this as most websites will be in Spanish and will require some translating before you start understanding what you're looking for.

@EileenGC that sounds great, thank you

Is bbc bitesize still around?

Otherwise Id be watching spanish peppa pig etc. You can change the language on netflix. Start with something familiar, then move onto something new.

Hi OP MFL is my subject. Is she in year 11? If so the best thing is to practise the actual exam she will be doing.

Assuming AQA, there should be three sets of past papers - sample, 2018 and 2019, which is now generally available. even if she has done these for a mock it is still worth looking again.

She needs to do the paper, then see how she did. Then look at the transcript of what was said and see where she went wrong. Is it about lack of vocab knowledge, picking up a word when it's the wrong one, mixing up meanings or falling for false friends?

They are sneaky in that they often mention all the possible answers in the text. So she needs to watch out for negatives or refs to someone else etc.

I would also look at the mark scheme as there will be things that are not acceptable - eg the French word for kind is gentil - but "gentle" is usually specifically not OK as an answer.

Once you have exhausted all the past papers, it might be worth looking at another board - Edexcel also do MFL GCSE; and there are legacy papers if you hunt online from before the GCSE change which will still be useful in terms of audio plus questions, as long as she remembers that the format of her exam will not be the same.

There are also CGP workbooks - I don't think they are amazing for listening but better than nothing. HTH.

Bear in mind btw that each element forms 25% of the overall mark; so if one element is weaker than another, it's not that you fail that element; if you gained 60% on three parts and 30% on the fourth, your overall percentage would be 52.5% (it's done on marks not % but still).

Change the audio settings to Spanish on prime tv etc, it really helps.
We live in Spain and my children go to Spanish school and although some of them are already bilingual, their teachers still tell them to change the settings to Spanish, even if it's only on in the background - you can put the subtitles on if you like in English.

I used to watch Peppa Pig in Spanish. Very helpful.

There also used to be a website called News in Slow Spanish that was good

You can listen to rne Spanish radio via the app

Cable Girls and Velvet are pretty enjoyable programmes on Netflix to watch

Spotify has podcasts

Rtve have subtitled programmes for free. There's an option where you can have them running down the side so you can choose whether to look or not

There's another great website but I'm struggling to remember the name. Will post again if I remember..

Disney films in Spanish are very accessible, I'd avoid subtitles so she's forced to actively listen.

You just need past papers. Former mfl teacher. I remember being the first time I did one was in the actual A Level (cheers ) and it was hard
Once I was a teacher it was any a country mile the easiest of the papers.
Example:

1. where is Isobel going on holiday? run through countries, family member vocab 2)how is she getting my there transport vocab
2. when is she going? Days of the week, time sentences- after/ when

If you have holiday Spanish I bet you could score ok with this technique.
I once blew my class’s mind when I was invigilating with some context and guessing in a Gujarati exam.

Have you got Netflix?
Watch some Spanish programs on there

Thanks everyone, fantastic suggestions and I really appreciate them all. DC said there were no listening samples on the exam board’s website, sounds like a google fail so I’ll look into that to get an idea of what they’re up against. Thanks again

Yep there will be past papers with audio on the exam board website - look here:
AQA Spanish listening

No sample paper there but I imagine you can find it - eg on Revision World. Honestly OP films in Spanish are great but if she has six months to go till her GCSE exams then past papers are the shout, to let her see what she is attempting. Spanish on a film will be very rapid. Slower on the listening papers (tho not slow!).

Thank you @clary tomorrow will be Spanish-themed!

I am an mfl teacher . Not a Spanish specialist , but a head of department where Spanish is taught . Pm me and on Monday I can email you extra gcse practice listening a for Spanish .

There are some great podcasts out there - have a look at Coffee Break Spanish.