Vocabulario escolar — School Vocabulary
📚 Vocabulario escolar — School Vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el instituto / el colegio | secondary school |
| las asignaturas | school subjects |
| los deberes | homework |
| el recreo | break time |
| aprobar un examen | to pass an exam |
| suspender un examen | to fail an exam |
| sacar buenas / malas notas | to get good / bad marks |
| presentarse a un examen | to sit an exam |
| el uniforme escolar | school uniform |
| la hora de tutoría | form time / tutor time |
For AQA Paper 3 (speaking) and Paper 4 (writing), school vocabulary and future plans are among the most tested topics. Know both the problems and the positives about your school — examiners reward balanced, detailed responses that link school experience to future ambitions.
In English, we use the present tense after "when" even when referring to the future: "When I finish school, I will..." — Spanish works differently. After cuando (when) in a future context, Spanish requires the present subjunctive. This is a key Higher-tier structure you must be able to recognise; more able students can
Earn the mark scheme marks
💡 Errores frecuentes — Common Higher Errors
❌ Error 1: "Cuando terminaré el instituto, voy a ir a la universidad."
✅ Correcto: "Cuando termine el instituto, voy a ir a la universidad."
Por qué: After cuando referring to a future event, Spanish uses the present subjunctive (termine), NOT the future indicative (terminaré). The future tense is used in the main clause — "voy a ir" or "iré" — but after cuando the subjunctive is required. This is one of the most distinctive features of Spanish grammar at Higher level. Important contrast: "Cuando tenía diez años..." uses the imperfect (past context — NO subjunctive). The subjunctive rule after cuando applies only when referring to future events.
❌ Error 2: "Espero que ir a la universidad."
✅ Correcto (same subject): "Espero ir a la universidad."
✅ Correcto (different subject): "Espero que mis padres estén contentos."
Por qué: After esperar (to hope), the rule depends on the subject. If both verbs share the same subject (I hope / I go → same person), use the infinitive: Espero ir. Adding que before an infinitive is wrong. If the subject changes (I hope / my parents are → different people), use esperar que + subjunctive: Espero que mis padres estén contentos. This same-subject / different-subject rule also applies to querer, preferir, necesitar, and other common verbs.
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