Equality and helping others (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Equality and helping others
Key vocabulary
Equality and opportunities
Learning vocabulary related to equality and opportunities is essential for discussing social issues in Spanish. These terms frequently appear in GCSE examinations and real-world conversations.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ayudar | to help |
| la igualdad | equality |
| la oportunidad | opportunity |
| adecuado/a | appropriate, adequate |
| el nivel | level |
| los medios | media, means |
| las instalaciones | facilities |
| el ascensor | lift |
Disability and sport
When discussing inclusivity in sports and accessibility, these terms are fundamental for expressing ideas about equal participation and support systems.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la discapacidad | disability |
| con discapacidad | disabled |
| la silla de ruedas | wheelchair |
| el deporte | sport |
| el baloncesto | basketball |
Example sentences in context:
- Las instalaciones tienen que ser adecuadas para todos los estudiantes. - The facilities have to be appropriate for all students.
- Mi hermano ayuda a personas con discapacidad. - My brother helps people with disabilities.
- El baloncesto es un deporte popular en las escuelas. - Basketball is a popular sport in schools.
Essential phrases
These phrases are particularly useful when discussing equality issues and demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary knowledge in examinations:
- la igualdad de género - gender equality
- la discriminación en el trabajo - discrimination at work
- la igualdad de oportunidades - equal opportunities
Phrases in context:
- La igualdad de oportunidades es muy importante en nuestra sociedad. - Equal opportunities are very important in our society.
- Luchamos contra la discriminación en el trabajo. - We fight against discrimination at work.
Grammar focus: Irregular preterite verbs
Several important verbs have irregular forms in the preterite tense. These are essential for discussing past actions related to helping others and equality.
Critical Pattern Recognition: Unlike regular preterite verbs, these irregular verbs follow completely different patterns that must be memorised. There are no rules to help you predict these forms - they must be learned by heart.
ser and ir (identical forms)
These two verbs share exactly the same forms in the preterite tense. Context determines meaning.
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fui |
| tú | fuiste |
| él/ella/usted | fue |
| nosotros | fuimos |
| vosotros | fuisteis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | fueron |
dar
Notice that dar has no accent marks in the preterite, unlike regular -ar verbs.
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | di |
| tú | diste |
| él/ella/usted | dio |
| nosotros | dimos |
| vosotros | disteis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | dieron |
estar
The verb estar uses the stem estuv- for all persons in the preterite.
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estuve |
| tú | estuviste |
| él/ella/usted | estuvo |
| nosotros | estuvimos |
| vosotros | estuvisteis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | estuvieron |
traer, poder, decir
These verbs all follow the irregular preterite pattern with unique stems and special endings.
| Person | traer | poder | decir |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | traje | pude | dije |
| tú | trajiste | pudiste | dijiste |
| él/ella/usted | trajo | pudo | dijo |
| nosotros | trajimos | pudimos | dijimos |
| vosotros | trajisteis | pudisteis | dijisteis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | trajeron | pudieron | dijeron |
Worked Examples: Using irregular preterites
Step 1: Identify the irregular verb and its meaning Ayer fui al centro para ayudar a los voluntarios. - Yesterday I went to the centre to help the volunteers.
Step 2: Recognise the pattern Le di consejos sobre la igualdad en el trabajo. - I gave him/her advice about equality at work.
Step 3: Apply in negative constructions No pude ir a la reunión sobre discapacidad. - I couldn't go to the meeting about disability.
Exam-style listening practice
Context: Marcos and Julia are discussing preparations for a new student who uses a wheelchair at their school.
Understanding conversations about accessibility and inclusion is a common examination theme. Pay attention to specific vocabulary and suggested solutions.
Key points from the conversation:
- Marcos worries about what will happen if the new student has lessons on the first floor
- He suggests they need to install a lift next to the entrance
- Julia thinks they need to consider all facilities, ensuring everything is at an appropriate level for wheelchair users
- The bathroom facilities specifically need to be suitable
Exam tip: Listen carefully for key phrases like poner un ascensor (put in a lift) and a un nivel adecuado (at an appropriate level). These help you understand the main points about making facilities accessible.
Translation practice
Translation skills require understanding both vocabulary and grammar structures. Practice with equality-themed sentences builds familiarity with common exam topics.
Translation Practice: Spanish to English
- Las instalaciones deportivas deben ser adecuadas para todos.
- Ayer trajeron una nueva silla de ruedas para el estudiante.
English to Spanish:
- Gender equality is very important in society.
- They couldn't help because they were busy.
Answers:
- The sports facilities should be appropriate for everyone.
- Yesterday they brought a new wheelchair for the student.
- La igualdad de género es muy importante en la sociedad.
- No pudieron ayudar porque estaban ocupados.
Key Points to Remember:
- Vocabulary focus: Learn disability-related terms and equality phrases - these are common exam topics
- Grammar pattern: Irregular preterite verbs follow specific patterns - memorise the key ones (ser/ir, dar, estar, poder)
- Listening skills: Pay attention to context clues when discussing accessibility and facilities
- Cultural awareness: Understanding equality issues in Spanish-speaking countries shows cultural knowledge
- Exam technique: Use appropriate phrases like la igualdad de oportunidades to show sophisticated vocabulary knowledge