Part-time jobs and money (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Part-time jobs and money
Essential vocabulary for weekend jobs
Understanding job-related vocabulary is crucial for discussing part-time work and earning money. These terms frequently appear in GCSE reading and listening exercises.
Vocabulary Tip: These job-related terms appear consistently across all GCSE exam components - reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Mastering them early will give you confidence in multiple areas.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la hora | hour, time |
| terminar | to finish |
| comprar | to buy |
| pagar | to pay |
| el café | café |
| la comida rápida | fast food |
| la tienda | shop |
| la caja | till, checkout |
| el supermercado | supermarket |
| el/la jefe/a | boss |
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ahorrar | to save |
| el/la compañero/a | colleague |
| empezar | to start |
| gastar | to spend |
Using vocabulary in context
Here are example sentences using the vocabulary above:
Practical Examples: Vocabulary in Action
- Trabajo en el supermercado los sábados - I work at the supermarket on Saturdays
- Mi jefa es muy simpática - My boss is very nice
- Necesito ahorrar dinero para las vacaciones - I need to save money for holidays
- Empiezo a trabajar a las nueve - I start work at nine o'clock
Numbers revision (1-1,000,000)
Numbers are essential when discussing wages, hours worked, and prices. This comprehensive system will help you express any amount confidently.
Why Numbers Matter: In GCSE Spanish, you'll encounter numbers when discussing salaries (€15 per hour), working hours (8 hours), ages (16 years old), and prices. Confident number usage demonstrates fluency.
Basic numbers (1-30)
| Spanish | Number | Spanish | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| uno | 1 | dieciséis | 16 |
| dos | 2 | diecisiete | 17 |
| tres | 3 | dieciocho | 18 |
| cuatro | 4 | diecinueve | 19 |
| cinco | 5 | veinte | 20 |
| seis | 6 | veintiuno | 21 |
| siete | 7 | veintidós | 22 |
| ocho | 8 | veintitrés | 23 |
| nueve | 9 | veinticuatro | 24 |
| diez | 10 | veinticinco | 25 |
Larger numbers (30-1,000,000)
| Spanish | Number | Spanish | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| treinta | 30 | sesenta | 60 |
| cuarenta | 40 | setenta | 70 |
| cincuenta | 50 | ochenta | 80 |
| noventa | 90 | cien | 100 |
| mil | 1000 | un millón | 1 million |
Forming hundreds
For most hundreds, add -cientos to the base number:
- doscientos (200)
- trescientos (300)
- cuatrocientos (400)
Important exceptions - these three are irregular and must be memorised:
- quinientos (500)
- setecientos (700)
- novecientos (900)
These don't follow the regular pattern, so they're often tested in exams!
Worked Example: Using Numbers in Context
- Gano veinte libras por semana - I earn twenty pounds per week
- Trabajo ocho horas los sábados - I work eight hours on Saturdays
- El café cuesta tres libras - The coffee costs three pounds
Reading comprehension skills
Reading about part-time jobs requires understanding both vocabulary and context. Let's examine a typical GCSE-style text about student employment.
Key reading strategies
When approaching texts about part-time work:
- Look for time expressions (los sábados, las tardes, durante la semana)
- Identify job locations (supermercado, café, restaurante)
- Notice opinions about work experiences
- Pay attention to reasons why students work
Sample text analysis
A student named Rosalía discusses her part-time work experience. She explains that when she was sixteen, she worked eight hours on Saturdays, serving customers in a café from nine to five. She mentions earning a modest amount of money and having sufficient time for her studies.
Translation exercise
Translation Practice
Spanish to English:
- Tengo un nuevo trabajo en el supermercado → I have a new job at the supermarket
- Trabajo los fines de semana para ganar dinero → I work at weekends to earn money
English to Spanish:
- I start work at nine o'clock → Empiezo a trabajar a las nueve
- My boss is very understanding → Mi jefe/a es muy comprensivo/a
Important grammar point
Using "un poco de" vs "poco"
This distinction can significantly change the meaning of your sentences:
Critical Grammar Distinction: "un poco de" vs "poco"
- "Un poco de dinero" = a bit of money (positive meaning)
- "Poco dinero" = little money (negative meaning)
Examples:
- Gané un poco de dinero - I earned a bit of money (suggests satisfaction)
- Gané poco dinero - I earned little money (suggests disappointment)
This subtle difference often appears in exam questions, so pay careful attention to context clues.
Exam tips for part-time jobs topic
Understanding how this topic appears in different exam components will help you prepare effectively:
- Multiple choice questions often test understanding of working hours, job locations, and student opinions
- Reading comprehension may include texts about balancing work and studies
- Writing tasks might ask you to describe your own part-time job experience or plans
- Remember to use appropriate tenses - past for completed experiences, present for current situations, future for plans
Key Points to Remember:
- Master job-related vocabulary - these words appear frequently in all exam components
- Practise number formation - wages, hours, and prices are common exam topics
- Understand context clues - look for positive/negative indicators when reading about work experiences
- Learn the "un poco de" vs "poco" distinction - this grammar point can change sentence meaning completely
- Use time expressions accurately - correctly expressing when you work shows advanced language skills