Vocabulary

The words and phrases for this theme, each with audio. Words marked H are for Higher.

Every word is checked against both boards' lists: H marks a Higher word, a note says when the boards differ, and words on neither list are marked "Not on the exam lists". The official lists: AQA vocabulary list (specification Appendix 2) and Pearson Edexcel vocabulary list (specification Appendix 1).

Key phrases

Phrases for speaking and writing on this theme. Phrases marked H use Higher grammar.

Paso mucho tiempo en...I spend a lot of time on...
No puedo vivir sin...I can't live without...
Lo uso para...I use it for...
Lo bueno/malo es que...The good/bad thing is that...
H
Hay que tener cuidado con...You have to be careful with...
Pierdo mucho tiempo con...I waste a lot of time on...

Key verbs

The verbs for this theme. Where the site has a verb page, the link opens its conjugation tables and practice.

Practise the forms:

descargarto downloadAQA Higher list only
HConjugation and practice →
bajarto download; also = to go down, to get off
Conjugation and practice →
subirto upload
Conjugation and practice →
compartirto share
Conjugation and practice →
publicarto postHigher on AQA
Conjugation and practice →
seguirto follow
Conjugation and practice →
chatearto chat onlinePearson list only
Conjugation and practice →
navegarto browse/surfAQA Higher list only
HConjugation and practice →
buscarto search
Conjugation and practice →
enviarto sendHigher on Pearson
Conjugation and practice →
mandarto send
Conjugation and practice →
comunicarto communicateHigher on Pearson
Conjugation and practice →
cargarto charge (a phone)Higher on AQA
Conjugation and practice →
grabarto recordHigher on Pearson
Conjugation and practice →
encenderto switch onAQA list only
Conjugation and practice →
apagarto switch off
Conjugation and practice →
jugarto play (games, sport)
Conjugation and practice →
llamarto call, to phone
Conjugation and practice →
permitirto allowHigher on Pearson
Conjugation and practice →
piratearto hackNot on the exam lists
actualizarto updateNot on the exam lists
Conjugation and practice →
conectarseto go online, to connect
HConjugation and practice →
colgarto post (online)
HConjugation and practice →
utilizarto use
HConjugation and practice →
charlarto chat (talk)AQA Higher list only
HConjugation and practice →
usarto use
Conjugation and practice →
pasarto spend (time)
Conjugation and practice →

Words by topic

The core words and expressions for this theme, in groups. Each noun shows its gender. Open a group to see its words.

Technology and devices

13 words

el móvil (m)mobile phone
el ordenador (m)computer
el portátil (m)laptopAQA Higher list only
H
la tableta (f)tablet
los auriculares (m)headphonesPearson Higher list only
H
la pantalla (f)screenHigher on Pearson
el teclado (m)keyboardAQA list only
la tecnología (f)technology
el teléfono (m)telephone
la cámara (f)camera
el dispositivo (m)deviceAQA Higher list only
H
el aparato (m)device, gadgetPearson Higher list only
H
la inteligencia artificial (f)artificial intelligenceNot on the exam lists

Photos, content and communication

7 words

la foto (f)photo
el vídeo (m)video
el contenido (m)contentHigher on AQA
el texto (m)textPearson list only
la información (f)information
la imagen (f)image
la comunicación (f)communicationPearson list only

TV, radio, streaming and the press

13 words

la tele / la televisión (f)TV, television
la radio (f)radioHigher on AQA
el periódico (m)newspaper
la revista (f)magazine
las noticias (f)the news
el anuncio (m)advertAQA list only
el canal (m)channelHigher on AQA
el streaming (m)streamingPearson list only
los medios de comunicación / los medios (m)the media
la telerrealidad (f)reality TVAQA list only
el/la lector/areaderPearson Higher list only
H
el documental (m)documentary
H
la prensa (f)the pressAQA Higher list only
H

Online risks

10 words

peligroso/adangerous
adictivo/aaddictiveNot on the exam lists
el virus (m)virusPearson list only
el acoso (m)bullyingAQA list only
la presión (f)pressure (e.g. from friends online)Higher on Pearson
seguro/asafe
la seguridad (f)safety, securityHigher on AQA
el ciberacoso (m)cyberbullyingAQA Higher list only
H
la privacidad (f)privacyNot on the exam lists
enganchado/ahooked/addictedNot on the exam lists

Describing technology: pros and cons

8 words

útiluseful
práctico/apracticalHigher on Pearson
conectado/aconnectedNot on the exam lists
gratis / gratuito/afree (of charge)
la ventaja (f)advantageHigher on Pearson
la desventaja (f)disadvantageHigher on Pearson
digitaldigitalAQA Higher list only
H
virtualvirtualPearson Higher list only
H

Games and gaming

3 words

el videojuego (m)video gameAQA list only
la videoconsola (f)games consolePearson list only
el juego (m)game

Grammar

The grammar this theme uses most, with examples from the theme. Each guide explains it in full.

Past, present and future

To talk about how you use technology in three timeframes: what you did, what you do and what you're going to do.

The time words decide the : ayer and anoche take the preterite, normalmente and todos los días the present, and mañana and esta noche take ir a + . For usar: usé (I used), uso (I use), voy a usar (I'm going to use); ver gives vi, veo and voy a ver. Usé needs its accent, but vi has none: it's only one syllable.

Ayer usé el móvil durante tres horas – Yesterday I used my mobile for three hours

Normalmente uso el móvil dos horas al día – I normally use my mobile for two hours a day

Mañana voy a usar menos el móvil – Tomorrow I'm going to use my mobile less

Exam tip: The top language marks in AQA's 90-word task, Pearson's 80-90 and 130-150 word tasks and Pearson's conversation need all three timeframes.

Para + infinitive for purpose

To say what you use technology for.

Para + means "(in order) to" and says what something is for: uso el portátil para hacer los deberes. Servir para means "to be (used) for": las redes sirven para.... Keep the in the after para: para chatear, never para chateo. In navegar por Internet, por means moving around the internet, not purpose.

Uso el móvil para chatear – I use my phone to chat

Las redes sociales sirven para conectar con amigos – Social media is for connecting with friends

Navego por Internet para buscar información – I browse the internet to search for information

Advantages and disadvantages

To give both sides of an argument: la ventaja es que, por un lado... por otro lado, aunque.

La ventaja es que and la desventaja es que are followed by a full sentence: la ventaja es que puedes hablar con tus amigos. Por un lado... por otro lado... sets out the two sides in turn. Aunque (although) joins a positive and a negative in one sentence: aunque es útil, puede ser peligroso.

La ventaja es que... The advantage is that...

Por un lado... por otro lado... On the one hand... on the other hand...

Aunque es útil, puede ser peligroso – Although it's useful, it can be dangerous

How often and how long

To say how much you use technology: paso + time, or paso tiempo + gerund (paso tiempo navegando).

Pasar + a length of time says how long: paso dos horas al día en las redes. Add a gerund for what you spend the time doing: paso mucho tiempo viendo vídeos, not ver vídeos. Demasiado means "too much" (paso demasiado tiempo en el móvil), and words like a veces or constantemente say how often.

Paso dos horas al día en las redes – I spend two hours a day on social media

Miro el móvil constantemente – I check my phone constantly

A veces paso demasiado tiempo viendo vídeos – Sometimes I spend too much time watching videos

Going furtherBeyond the GCSE specification: not required on either tier, credited as complex language

Subjunctive for opinions

Beyond GCSE

To give a doubtful or impersonal opinion: no creo que, es importante que, dudo que.

After no creo que, dudo que and es importante que, the next goes into the present subjunctive: no creo que sea seguro, es importante que tengamos cuidado. The subjunctive starts from the yo form and swaps the ending vowel (-ar verbs take -e, -er and -ir verbs take -a: tengo, tengamos), and ser becomes sea. Without no, creo que takes the normal present: creo que es útil.

No creo que las redes sean seguras – I don't think social media is safe

Es importante que tengamos cuidado – It's important that we are careful

Dudo que sea bueno para la salud – I doubt it's good for health

Exam tip: These opinion triggers (no creo que, dudo que, es importante que) aren't required at either tier. Higher only needs the of hacer, ser, ir, venir and tener in set phrases such as cuando sea mayor. Used accurately, they count as complex language.

Practice

Exercises on this theme's words and grammar, marked as you go. Higher tasks are labelled.

Vocabulary matching

Match the Spanish words with their English meanings:

Spanish

English

Fill in the blanks: technology words

Fill in the gaps with the correct Spanish technology vocabulary:

Paso mucho tiempo en las redes . (social media)
Mi hermano siempre está con el . (mobile phone)
Voy a una foto a Instagram. (to upload)
Me gusta vídeos en YouTube. (to watch)
Uso mi para hacer los deberes. (laptop)
Internet puede ser para los jóvenes. (dangerous)
Es útil para con amigos. (to chat)
Prefiero música en Spotify. (to listen to)

Fill in the blanks: past, present or future

Past, present or future? Write the verb in brackets in the right form: the time words tell you which. For the future, use ir a + infinitive.

Ayer muchos mensajes a mis amigos. (mandar, yo)
Normalmente vídeos en mi móvil. (ver, yo)
Mañana un móvil nuevo. (comprar, yo)
Anoche mi hermano a los videojuegos hasta muy tarde. (jugar)
Todos los días Internet para hacer los deberes. (usar, yo)

Multiple choice: which translation?

Choose the correct translation:

1. I spend too much time online
2. Social media can be dangerous
3. I use my phone to listen to music
4. Technology has many advantages

Translate into Spanish: sentences

Translate into Spanish:

I use my mobile phone every day. I chat with my friends and listen to music. I spend about two hours on social media. Yesterday I watched a film on my tablet. Next year I am going to buy a new laptop.

Hints:todos los díasunas dos horasayer viel año que viene

Model answer:

Uso el móvil todos los días. Chateo con mis amigos y escucho música. Paso unas dos horas en las redes sociales. Ayer vi una película en mi tableta. El año que viene voy a comprar un portátil nuevo.

Translate into Spanish: a paragraph

Higher

Translate into Spanish:

Although technology has many advantages, I think that social media can be dangerous for young people. On one hand, it allows us to stay in contact with friends. On the other hand, there are problems like cyberbullying and the pressure to be perfect.

Hints:aunquepor un ladopor otro ladoel ciberacosola presión

Model answer:

Aunque la tecnología tiene muchas ventajas, creo que las redes sociales pueden ser peligrosas para los jóvenes. Por un lado, nos permiten estar en contacto con amigos. Por otro lado, hay problemas como el ciberacoso y la presión de ser perfectos.

Listening

La tecnología en mi vida

Technology in my life

Tip: If you need help, read the questions first, use the slow speed and check the transcript.

0:00 / 0:00

Show transcript

Show English translations

Luis
Carmen, ¿cuánto tiempo pasas en Internet cada día?
Carmen, how much time do you spend on the Internet each day?
Carmen
Paso unas tres horas al día. Uso el móvil sobre todo.
I spend about three hours a day. I use my mobile mainly.
Luis
¿Para qué usas las redes sociales?
What do you use social media for?
Carmen
Las uso para chatear con amigos, compartir fotos y ver vídeos.
I use them to chat with friends, share photos and watch videos.
Luis
¿Cuáles son las ventajas de la tecnología?
What are the advantages of technology?
Carmen
Es muy útil para hacer los deberes y mantenerse en contacto con la familia.
It is very useful for doing homework and keeping in touch with family.
Luis
¿Y las desventajas?
And the disadvantages?
Carmen
A veces paso demasiado tiempo en línea y no duermo bien.
Sometimes I spend too much time online and I don't sleep well.
Luis
¿Piensas que los jóvenes dependen demasiado de la tecnología?
Do you think young people depend too much on technology?
Carmen
Sí, creo que sí. Muchos jóvenes no pueden vivir sin el móvil.
Yes, I think so. Many young people cannot live without their mobile.
Luis
¿Qué deberían hacer los padres?
What should parents do?
Carmen
Deberían poner límites y enseñar a usar la tecnología de forma responsable.
They should set limits and teach how to use technology responsibly.

Comprehension questions

Answer all 5 questions based on the recording.

Question 1
How much time does Carmen spend on the internet each day?
Question 2
Which device does Carmen use most?
Question 3
Carmen uses social media for work.
Question 4
What disadvantage of technology does Carmen mention?
Question 5
Carmen thinks young people do not depend on technology.

Speaking

Practise answering out loud. How each board runs the speaking exam: the GCSE speaking exam.

Practice questions

¿Qué aparatos tecnológicos usas?
Uso el móvil todos los días y también tengo un portátil y una tableta.
¿Cuánto tiempo pasas en las redes sociales?
Paso unas dos horas al día en las redes sociales, sobre todo en Instagram y TikTok.
¿Para qué usas el móvil?
Uso el móvil para chatear con amigos, escuchar música, ver vídeos y hacer los deberes.
¿Cuáles son las ventajas de la tecnología?
Es muy útil para comunicarse, buscar información y aprender cosas nuevas.
¿Hay desventajas?
Sí, a veces paso demasiado tiempo en línea y no hago los deberes.
¿Qué hiciste en Internet ayer?
Ayer vi una serie en mi portátil y mandé mensajes a mis amigos.
¿Crees que pasas demasiado tiempo con el móvil?
Sí, creo que debería reducir el tiempo que paso con el móvil y hacer otras actividades.
¿Qué piensas del ciberacoso?
Creo que es un problema muy grave. Es importante hablar con un profesor y no participar.
¿Cómo vas a usar la tecnología en el futuro?
En el futuro voy a usar el ordenador para trabajar, pero voy a pasar menos tiempo en las redes sociales.

Role-play

A role-play card in the exam format. Prepare an answer for each task, with a verb in every answer. The boards set different role-plays: AQA's is a chat with a friend on the theme; Pearson's is in a public place such as a café, shop, hotel or station. Full role-plays with the examiner's lines and model answers: GCSE speaking practice.

AQA formatFoundation

You are talking to your Spanish friend about technology.

Say what devices you use. (Give one detail.)
Say what you use your mobile for. (Give one detail.)
Give your opinion of social media. (Give one opinion.)
Say how much time you spend online. (Give one detail.)
?Ask your friend a question about technology.

Your teacher plays your friend and speaks first; speak to your friend as tú. The task marked ? is where you ask a question. At Foundation, every task is in the present tense.

Full exam cards on this topic

With the teacher's lines, timings and model answers, on the speaking page:

Photo card (AQA) and picture task (Pearson)

There is no photo on this page: practise with exam-style photos on the GCSE speaking page.

AQA photo card: two photos (Háblame de las fotos). Say something about each, then have a conversation on the card's theme, with questions like the practice questions above.

Pearson picture task: describe one of two pictures (the people, the place and what they are doing), answer two questions about yourself, then have a conversation, with questions like the practice questions above.

For a photo on this theme, say:

Who the people are
Where they are
What devices they are using, and what for

Writing

Plan and write your answer, then check it covers every bullet point. The tasks and word counts on each board: the GCSE writing exam. Useful phrases: key phrases.

AQA: about 90 words

Foundation and Higher papers

You are writing to your Spanish friend about technology. Write approximately 90 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.

You must include:

the technology you use every day
something you saw or did online recently
how technology will change your life in the future

AQA: about 150 words

Higher

Higher paper

You are writing an article about social media for a Spanish website. Write approximately 150 words in Spanish. You must write something about both bullet points.

You must include:

the advantages and disadvantages of social media for young people
a time when technology helped you or caused you a problem

Pearson Edexcel: 80-90 words

Foundation and Higher papers

Your Spanish friend Martín has asked you about technology. Write an email to Martín. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 80 and 90 words.

You must include:

how you use your mobile phone
your favourite app or website
a film or series you watched online recently
a device you are going to buy

Pearson Edexcel: 130-150 words

Higher

Higher paper

You are writing an article for a Spanish website about technology and young people. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 130 and 150 words.

You must include:

the dangers of the internet
how technology helps with school work
how technology was different when your parents were young
how technology will change in the future

Key points

Key vocab: el móvil, la tableta, el portátil, las redes sociales
Advantages: es útil, es práctico, puedo comunicarme con mis amigos
Disadvantages: puede ser peligroso, pierdo mucho tiempo, es una pérdida de tiempo (Higher)
Balanced opinions: por un lado... por otro lado (on one hand... on the other)
Use sin embargo (however) and aunque (although) for complexity

Homework

Write a balanced argument about social media: 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages
Describe how you use technology daily in 6-8 sentences
Write about the pros and cons of mobile phones for teenagers
Practise using connectives: por un lado, por otro lado, sin embargo, aunque

More for this theme

Reading: ¿Qué estás haciendo?A1
Vocabulary: Technology and communication

The listening and reading texts are general practice, not in the exam format: for that, see the GCSE reading papers and GCSE listening papers.

Media & Technology

Vocabulary

Key phrases

Key verbs

Words by topic

Technology and devices

Internet and social media

Photos, content and communication

TV, radio, streaming and the press

Online risks

Describing technology: pros and cons

Games and gaming

Grammar

Past, present and future

Para + infinitive for purpose

Advantages and disadvantages

How often and how long

Subjunctive for opinions

Practice

Vocabulary matching

Fill in the blanks: technology words

Fill in the blanks: past, present or future

Multiple choice: which translation?

Translate into Spanish: sentences

Translate into Spanish: a paragraph

Listening

La tecnología en mi vida

Comprehension questions

Speaking

Practice questions

Role-play

Full exam cards on this topic

Photo card (AQA) and picture task (Pearson)

Writing

AQA: about 90 words

AQA: about 150 words

Pearson Edexcel: 80-90 words

Pearson Edexcel: 130-150 words

Key points

Homework

More for this theme