Media and technology

Q: What are the key Spanish verbs for uploading, downloading, sharing, and sending digital content?

Subir / colgar (to upload), descargar / bajar (to download), compartir (to share), and enviar / mandar (to send).

Q: What are the Spanish words for common digital devices such as mobile/smartphone, tablet, and computer?

El móvil / el teléfono inteligente (mobile/smartphone), la tableta (tablet), and el ordenador / la computadora (computer).

Q: Which common technology-related Spanish nouns have unexpected grammatical genders?

El programa is masculine, while la red and la foto are feminine.

Q: What key vocabulary can you use to express both the advantages and the dangers of technology?

For advantages, use rápido/a , cómodo/a , útil , and mantenerse en contacto ; for risks, use la adicción , la pérdida de tiempo , el ciberacoso , and enganchado/a .

Q: How do you choose between the Preterite and Imperfect past tenses when talking about technology?

Use the Preterite for completed past actions (e.g. descargué una app ) and the Imperfect for past habits or background descriptions (e.g. antes usaba el ordenador ).

Q: What preposition rules must be followed when using para vs. por and the verb jugar in this topic?

Use para for purpose ('in order to'), por for medium/route (e.g. navegar por internet ), and always use a after jugar (e.g. jugar a videojuegos ).

Q: Where are direct and indirect object pronouns placed in Spanish sentences about technology?

They are placed directly before the conjugated verb (e.g. ¿Tu móvil? Lo uso todos los días ; Le mandé un mensaje ).

Q: How can you use the Present Subjunctive to reach Higher Tier marks (Grades 7–9) in this topic?

Use the subjunctive after negative opinion triggers (e.g. No creo que sea bueno... ) or impersonal expressions of value (e.g. Es importante que protejamos ... ).

Q: What are the key false friends to watch out for with subir , aplicación , and periódico ?

Subir means to upload (not send), aplicación means an app/software (not a job application), and periódico means newspaper (not general paper).

Spanish 8692 · AQA GCSE · 8 min read · Updated: Sep 7, 2026

Theme 3: Communication and the World Around Us

Topic 2: Media and Technology (Los medios de comunicación y la tecnología)

Welcome to your complete revision guide for Media and Technology! In this topic, you will learn how to discuss your daily digital habits, compare smartphones and computers, talk about social media, and debate the advantages and dangers of the online world. Whether you are aiming for Foundation or Higher tier in your AQA GCSE Spanish (8692), mastering this vocabulary and grammar will help you secure top marks across Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

Don't worry if talking about technology in Spanish feels overwhelming at first. We will break everything down step-by-step with clear vocabulary lists, simple grammar explanations, and essential exam strategies!

1. Essential Topic Vocabulary

A. Social Media and Online Communication (Las redes sociales y la comunicación)

Social media is one of the most common topics in GCSE Spanish speaking and writing exams. Here are the core nouns and verbs you must know:

Key Nouns:
• las redes sociales – social networks / social media
• la cuenta – account
• el perfil – profile
• el usuario / la usuaria – user
• la contraseña – password
• el mensaje (de texto) – (text) message
• los seguidores – followers

Key Verbs:
• subir / colgar fotos – to upload photos
• descargar / bajar – to download
• compartir – to share
• enviar / mandar – to send
• seguir – to follow
• chatear / hablar por chat – to chat online

Example sentence: Todos los días subo fotos y comparto vídeos con mis seguidores en mi cuenta. (Every day I upload photos and share videos with my followers on my account.)

B. Hardware, Devices, and the Internet (Los aparatos e internet)

You need to be able to name the devices you use and describe how you navigate the digital landscape.

Devices and Hardware:
• el móvil / el teléfono inteligente – mobile / smartphone
• la tableta – tablet
• el ordenador / la computadora – computer
• la pantalla – screen
• el teclado – keyboard
• el ratón – mouse
• la batería – battery
• el cargador – charger
• los auriculares – headphones / earphones

The Web & Online Activities:
• la red / internet – the net / internet
• la página web / el sitio web – web page / website
• el enlace / el vínculo – link
• la aplicación / la app – application / app
• el correo electrónico – email
• la conexión wifi – Wi-Fi connection
• navegar por internet – to surf / browse the internet
• estar conectado/a – to be connected / online
• hacer compras por internet – to shop online
• jugar a videojuegos – to play video games

C. Traditional and Broadcast Media (Los medios de comunicación tradicionales)

Examiners love asking how traditional media compares to modern streaming and online platforms.

• la televisión / la tele – television / TV
• las noticias / el telediario – news / TV news bulletin
• el periódico / el diario – newspaper
• la revista – magazine
• el programa (de telerrealidad) – (reality) TV show
• la serie – series
• el documental – documentary
• el anuncio / la publicidad – advertisement / commercial

Key Takeaway for Vocabulary: Learn your nouns with their correct gender (el or la). Watch out for el programa (masculine ending in -a) and la red / la foto (feminine).

2. Weighing Up Advantages, Disadvantages, and Opinions

To achieve higher grades in speaking and writing, you must go beyond basic facts and give balanced opinions with justifications.

Advantages (Las ventajas):

• rápido/a – fast / quick
• cómodo/a – convenient / comfortable
• útil – useful
• fácil de usar – easy to use
• mantenerse en contacto – to stay in touch

Example sentence: Lo bueno de internet es que es muy cómodo para mantenerse en contacto con la familia. (The good thing about the internet is that it is very convenient for staying in touch with family.)

Disadvantages and Risks (Las desventajas y los peligros):

• la adicción – addiction
• la pérdida de tiempo – waste of time
• el ciberacoso / el acoso escolar en línea – cyberbullying
• el fraude / la estafa – fraud / scam
• los peligros de la red – the dangers of the web
• enganchado/a – hooked / addicted
• peligroso/a – dangerous

Example sentence: Una desventaja es el ciberacoso y mucha gente está enganchada a las pantallas. (A disadvantage is cyberbullying, and many people are hooked on screens.)

Expressing Opinions:

• Pienso que... / Creo que... – I think that... / I believe that...
• A mi modo de ver... – In my view / The way I see it...
• Desde mi punto de vista... – From my point of view...

Key Takeaway for Opinions: Pair an opinion phrase with a connective and an adjective: "A mi modo de ver, las redes sociales son útiles pero peligrosas."

3. Core Grammar Toolkit for Media and Technology

A. Working Across Timeframes (Tenses)

AQA GCSE requires you to communicate across different timeframes (Past, Present, Future). Here is how to apply them directly to this topic:

1. Present Tense (Daily Habits):
Use this to describe what you do regularly.
• Uso mi móvil para hablar con mis amigos. (I use my mobile to talk to my friends.)
• Paso tres horas al día delante de la pantalla. (I spend three hours a day in front of the screen.)

2. Past Tense: Preterite vs. Imperfect:
• Use the Preterite for completed single actions in the past:
Ayer descargué una aplicación nueva. (Yesterday I downloaded a new app.)
Anoche vi un documental interesante. (Last night I watched an interesting documentary.)
• Use the Imperfect for ongoing past habits, descriptions, or background states:
Cuando era pequeño, no tenía tableta. (When I was little, I didn't have a tablet.)
Antes usaba el ordenador todos los días. (Before, I used to use the computer every day.)

3. Future Tenses:
• Near Future (ir + a + infinitive):
Voy a comprar un ordenador nuevo este fin de semana. (I am going to buy a new computer this weekend.)
• Simple Future:
En el futuro habrá más tecnología en los colegios. (In the future there will be more technology in schools.)

4. Conditional Tense (Hypothetical Situations):
• Preferiría pasar menos tiempo jugando a videojuegos. (I would prefer to spend less time playing video games.)
• Sería mejor apagar el móvil por la noche. (It would be better to turn off the phone at night.)

B. Essential Preposition Rules

Small words make a big difference in GCSE Spanish:

• Para vs. Por:
Use para to show purpose or "in order to": Uso la app para aprender vocabulario. (I use the app to learn vocabulary.)
Use por to show medium or route: Navego por internet. (I surf on/through the internet.)

• Jugar + a:
Remember that the verb jugar requires the preposition a when referring to games: Juego a los videojuegos (not "juego los videojuegos").

C. Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

Instead of repeating nouns, use object pronouns right before the conjugated verb:
• Direct Object Pronouns (lo / la / los / las):
¿Tu móvil? Lo uso todos los días. (Your phone? I use it every day.)
• Indirect Object Pronouns (me / te / le / nos / os / les):
Le mandé un mensaje a mi amigo. (I sent him a message.)

D. Higher Tier Extension: The Subjunctive Mood

If you are aiming for Grades 7–9, using the present subjunctive after negative opinions or impersonal triggers will impress the examiner:

• Negative opinion trigger: No creo que sea bueno pasar tanto tiempo en la red. (I don't think it is good to spend so much time on the web.)
• Impersonal value trigger: Es importante que protejamos nuestros datos personales. (It is important that we protect our personal data.)

Key Takeaway for Grammar: Always combine at least three timeframes (Past, Present, Future) in your open-ended writing and speaking tasks, and remember that jugar takes a!

4. Common Traps and Examiner Conventions

Be on high alert for these classic exam pitfalls:

1. False Friends and Cognate Confusion:
• Subir vs. Enviar: Subir means to upload (or go up); enviar / mandar means to send.
• Aplicación: Refers to a smartphone application or software. Do not use aplicar for applying for a job (that is solicitar).
• Periódico: Means newspaper. Do not say el papel when you mean a newspaper.

2. Tricky Genders:
• El programa (Masculine – words of Greek origin ending in -ma are often masculine: el problema, el programa).
• La foto (Feminine – short for la fotografía).
• La red (Feminine – las redes sociales).

3. Specific Exam Component Requirements (8692 Specification):
• Paper 1: Listening (Section B Dictation): You will hear short spoken Spanish sentences and write them down. You must apply exact Spanish spelling patterns and accent marks (e.g., móvil, electrónico, televisión). Transcribing words phonetically using English spelling rules will lose you marks.
• Paper 2: Speaking (Reading Aloud Task): Pay close attention to Sound-Symbol Correspondences. Pronounce the Spanish j (harsh 'h' sound as in tarjeta), ll (sound as in pantalla), rr, and stress syllables correctly where written accent marks appear (e.g., teléfono).

5. Quick Summary Checklist

Before heading into your exam or completing your practice papers, check that you can:

• Name at least four digital devices and four social media actions in Spanish.
• Give two positive aspects of technology (e.g., es rápido y cómodo) and two dangers (e.g., la adicción, el ciberacoso).
• Distinguish between the Preterite (descargué) and the Imperfect (usaba).
• Correctly use navegar por internet and jugar a videojuegos.
• (Higher Tier) Form a sentence using the subjunctive: No creo que sea... or Es esencial que usemos contraseñas seguras...

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What are the key Spanish verbs for uploading, downloading, sharing, and sending digital content?

Subir / colgar (to upload), descargar / bajar (to download), compartir (to share), and enviar / mandar (to send).

What are the Spanish words for common digital devices such as mobile/smartphone, tablet, and computer?

El móvil / el teléfono inteligente (mobile/smartphone), la tableta (tablet), and el ordenador / la computadora (computer).

Which common technology-related Spanish nouns have unexpected grammatical genders?

El programa is masculine, while la red and la foto are feminine.

What key vocabulary can you use to express both the advantages and the dangers of technology?

For advantages, use rápido/a, cómodo/a, útil, and mantenerse en contacto; for risks, use la adicción, la pérdida de tiempo, el ciberacoso, and enganchado/a.

How do you choose between the Preterite and Imperfect past tenses when talking about technology?

Use the Preterite for completed past actions (e.g. descargué una app) and the Imperfect for past habits or background descriptions (e.g. antes usaba el ordenador).

What preposition rules must be followed when using para vs. por and the verb jugar in this topic?

Use para for purpose ('in order to'), por for medium/route (e.g. navegar por internet), and always use a after jugar (e.g. jugar a videojuegos).

Where are direct and indirect object pronouns placed in Spanish sentences about technology?

They are placed directly before the conjugated verb (e.g. ¿Tu móvil? Lo uso todos los días; Le mandé un mensaje).

How can you use the Present Subjunctive to reach Higher Tier marks (Grades 7–9) in this topic?

Use the subjunctive after negative opinion triggers (e.g. No creo que sea bueno...) or impersonal expressions of value (e.g. Es importante que protejamos...).

What are the key false friends to watch out for with subir, aplicación, and periódico?

Subir means to upload (not send), aplicación means an app/software (not a job application), and periódico means newspaper (not general paper).

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