ICSE Class 9 Spanish Syllabus 2026-27

Spanish (Subject Code 54) is offered as a Modern Foreign Language under Group II or Group III of the ICSE Class 9 curriculum. It is one of the world's most widely spoken languages, with over 500 million speakers across Spain, Latin America, and beyond. The ICSE Spanish syllabus develops all four language skills — listening, speaking, reading, and writing — through a practical, communicative approach rooted in three real-life topic areas.

The subject carries 100 marks in total: 80 marks for a written paper (3 hours) and 20 marks for school-based internal assessment. The Class IX examination is school-conducted; the Class X ICSE Board examination covers the full combined Class IX and X syllabus.

Exam at a Glance

Aims of the Spanish Syllabus

•       Develop and integrate the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing

•       Use Spanish effectively and appropriately on topics of everyday life situations

•       Develop an interest in and appreciation of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture

•       Develop intercultural awareness: understanding how language reflects cultural identity

•       Understand Spanish when spoken at normal conversational speed

•       Develop knowledge of the elements of Spanish: grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and idiom

Written Paper: 80 Marks -- Five Compulsory Questions

All five questions must be attempted. Formal knowledge of grammatical terminology is NOT required.

Question 1: Composition (Composicion) -- 20 Marks

•       Write one short composition in Spanish from a choice of subjects

•       Topics may include: brief explanations, descriptions, directions, narratives, or simple reports

•       Stimuli may include language prompts, pictures, or objects

•       Assessed on: relevance, organisation, clarity, correct Spanish grammar, spelling, and vocabulary

Question 2: Letter Writing (Carta) -- 20 Marks

•       Write one letter from a choice of two subjects

•       Carta formal (Formal letter): to authorities, editors, organisations; complaint, request, or application letters

•       Carta informal (Informal letter): to friends, pen-pals, relatives; narrating events, inviting, describing

•       Layout assessed: lugar y fecha (top right), saludo/encabezamiento (Estimado/a Sr./Sra. or Querido/a), cuerpo, despedida (Atentamente / Un abrazo / Saludos), firma

Question 3: Comprehension (Comprension de Lectura) -- 20 Marks

•       Unseen prose passage of approximately 150 words in Spanish

•       Questions on content, meaning, and vocabulary; may include: short answers, true/false, matching, multiple choice, vocabulary in context

Question 4: Grammar and Vocabulary (Gramatica y Vocabulario) -- 20 Marks

Practical use of Spanish language structures and vocabulary. Formal grammatical terminology is NOT required.

Nouns and Articles (Sustantivos y Articulos)

•       Gender: masculine (el/un) and feminine (la/una); rules and exceptions (e.g. el agua -- fem. noun with masc. article; -cion/-sion nouns are feminine)

•       Number: plural formation (add -s after vowel, -es after consonant; -z changes to -ces: lapiz/lapices)

•       Definite articles: el, la, los, las; uses including generic statements, titles, days, body parts

•       Indefinite articles: un, una, unos, unas; omission after ser for professions (Soy medico)

•       Neuter 'lo': lo + adjective for abstract concepts (lo importante, lo mejor)

Adjectives (Adjetivos)

•       Agreement: adjectives agree in gender and number (alto/alta/altos/altas)

•       Placement: most follow the noun; some precede and shorten (buen, mal, gran before masc. sg.)

•       Comparison: comparative: mas/menos + adj + que; superlative: el/la mas/menos + adj; irregulars: mejor/peor/mayor/menor

•       Possessive adjectives: short forms (mi/tu/su/nuestro/vuestro + noun) and stressed forms (mio/tuyo/suyo/nuestro/vuestro)

•       Demonstrative adjectives: este/esta (this/near), ese/esa (that/middle), aquel/aquella (that/far) + plural forms

Pronouns (Pronombres)

•       Subject pronouns: yo, tu, el/ella/usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/ellas/ustedes; usted/ustedes for formal address

•       Direct object pronouns: me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las; position before conjugated verb or attached to infinitive/gerund

•       Indirect object pronouns: me, te, le, nos, os, les; le/les become 'se' before lo/la/los/las

•       Reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se; used with reflexive verbs (levantarse, llamarse, etc.)

•       Interrogative pronouns: que, quien/quienes, cual/cuales, cuanto/a/os/as, donde, cuando, como, por que -- all carry written accents in questions

•       Relative pronouns: que (most common), quien/quienes (after prepositions for people), lo que (what/that which)

Ser and Estar -- The Two Verbs for 'To Be'

This is the most distinctively Spanish grammar point and is always tested.

•       SER: permanent/inherent characteristics -- identity, nationality, profession, origin, material, time/date, mathematical equations, passive with past participle

•       ESTAR: location, temporary states, health/emotional conditions, progressive tenses, resultant states

•       Meaning changes with ser vs estar: ser aburrido = boring person | estar aburrido = bored; ser listo = clever | estar listo = ready; ser malo = bad/evil | estar malo = ill; ser rico = wealthy | estar rico = delicious; ser seguro = safe | estar seguro = certain/sure; ser bueno = a good person | estar bueno = tasty/attractive; ser vivo = alert/clever | estar vivo = alive

Verbs -- Tenses and Conjugation (Verbos)

•       Present tense (Presente): regular -ar, -er, -ir verbs; key irregular verbs: ser, estar, tener, ir, hacer, poder, querer, saber, venir, decir, dar, ver, salir, traer, poner, oir

•       Radical-changing verbs: e→ie (querer, preferir), o→ue (poder, dormir, volver), e→i (pedir, seguir, servir)

•       Preterite (Indefinido): regular -ar (-e/-aste/-o/-amos/-asteis/-aron) and -er/-ir (-i/-iste/-io/-imos/-isteis/-ieron) endings; key irregulars: ser/ir (fui), tener (tuve), hacer (hice/hizo), poder (pude), querer (quise), venir (vine), decir (dije), dar (di), ver (vi), estar (estuve), saber (supe), poner (puse), traer (traje)

•       Imperfect (Imperfecto): -ar verbs: -aba endings; -er/-ir: -ia endings; only 3 irregular verbs: ser (era), ir (iba), ver (veia); used for habitual past, description, background, ongoing action, age/time in the past

•       Preterite vs Imperfect: preterite = completed/finished event at a specific time; imperfect = ongoing background, habitual action, description; both often used together in the same sentence

•       Future (Futuro Simple): regular: infinitive + -e/-as/-a/-emos/-eis/-an; irregular stems: tendre, sabre, podre, querre, vendre, hare, dire, pondre, saldre, cabre

•       Conditional (Condicional): same irregular stems as future + -ia endings; used for 'would do'; polite requests (Podria...?; Quisiera...)

•       Present Perfect (Preterito Perfecto): haber (he/has/ha/hemos/habeis/han) + past participle; irregular past participles: dicho, hecho, puesto, visto, vuelto, abierto, escrito, muerto, roto, cubierto

•       Progressive tenses: estar + gerundio (-ando/-iendo; irregular: yendo, siendo, durmiendo, pidiendo, sirviendo)

•       Imperative (tu form): = 3rd person present for regular verbs; irregular: ve (ir), se (ser), ten (tener), haz (hacer), di (decir), pon (poner), sal (salir), ven (venir); negative commands use present subjunctive

Present Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Presente)

•       Formed from yo-form present indicative: drop -o, add opposite vowel endings (-ar: -e/-es/-e/-emos/-eis/-en; -er/-ir: -a/-as/-a/-amos/-ais/-an)

•       Irregular: sea (ser), este (estar), vaya (ir), haya (haber), sepa (saber), de (dar), vea (ver)

•       Used after: expressions of desire (querer que, esperar que), emotion (alegrarse de que, sentir que), doubt (dudar que, no creer que), impersonal expressions (es importante que, es necesario que), conjunctions of purpose/condition (para que, a menos que, antes de que)

Negation (Negacion)

•       Standard: place no before the verb

•       Double negation is required in Spanish: No conozco a nadie (no + nadie = I don't know anyone); No tengo nada (no + nada = I have nothing)

•       Common negatives: nada (nothing), nadie (nobody), nunca/jamas (never), ningun/ninguna (no/none), tampoco (neither), ni...ni (neither...nor)

•       If negative word precedes verb, omit 'no': Nunca como carne (I never eat meat)

Prepositions -- Por vs Para

•       Por: cause/reason, exchange, duration, means/method, movement through, 'on behalf of', approximate time/location

•       Para: purpose/goal, destination, deadline, recipient, opinion (para mi = in my opinion), contrast with expectation

•       Personal 'a': used before specific human direct objects (Veo a Maria) but not indefinite (Busco un medico)

•       Contractions: a + el = al; de + el = del (no contraction with other articles)

Gustar and Similar Verbs

•       Structure: indirect object pronoun + verb + subject: Me gusta el cafe (I like coffee -- literally: coffee pleases me)

•       Verb agrees with what is liked: Me gusta el cafe (singular) vs Me gustan las peliculas (plural)

•       Similar verbs: encantar (to love), molestar (to bother), doler (to hurt/ache), parecer (to seem), interesar (to interest), faltar (to lack), quedar (to remain/have left)

•       Emphasis: A mi me gusta; A ti no te gusta; A el/ella le encanta

Other Key Grammar Points

•       Hay (there is/are): invariable; habia (there was/were); habra (there will be); ha habido (there has been)

•       Hacer + time: Hace dos anos que estudio espanol = I have been studying Spanish for two years; Hace + time + que + present tense

•       Saber vs Conocer: saber = to know facts/information/how to do something; conocer = to know/be acquainted with a person, place, or thing

•       Time expressions: Son las tres; Es la una; Son las ocho y cuarto; Son las cinco menos veinte; es mediodia; es medianoche

•       Se pasiva: Se habla espanol aqui (Spanish is spoken here); Se venden pisos (Flats are sold)

Question 5: Translation and/or Dialogue Writing

•       Translation from Spanish into English: short passage (~80-100 words) to be translated into correct, natural English

•       Translation from English into Spanish: short passage (~80-100 words) to be translated into correct Spanish

•       Dialogue writing (Dialogo): write a short dialogue (~150 words) in Spanish based on an everyday situation (at a shop, making plans, at a restaurant, giving directions, on holiday, at the doctor's, etc.)

Communication Topics (Temas de Comunicacion) -- Annexe

Three topics provide the context for all language skills and internal assessment assignments. Grammar and vocabulary are practised and tested within these contexts.

Topic A: Yo y mi entorno (Myself and My World)

•       Yo mismo (Myself): name, age, appearance (pelo, ojos, altura, peso), personality (simpatico, trabajador, timido), family members and relationships

•       Eventos importantes (Important events): birthdays, celebrations, recent events

•       Intereses y aficiones (Interests and hobbies): sports, music, reading, cinema, social media, weekend activities

•       Mi hogar y mi barrio (Home and locality): types of housing, rooms, furniture, description of neighbourhood, town, or city

•       La rutina diaria (Daily routine): morning routine, meals, school schedule, evening and bedtime

•       El colegio (School): subjects, timetable, teachers, school facilities, likes and dislikes about school

Topic B: Las vacaciones y los viajes (Holiday Time and Travel)

•       Los viajes y el transporte (Travel and transport): el avion, el tren, el autobus, el metro, el coche, el barco; booking tickets; at the airport/station

•       El turismo (Tourism): popular Spanish-speaking destinations; reasons for travel

•       El alojamiento (Accommodation): hotels, hostels, camping, rental; booking, facilities, complaints

•       En el restaurante (Restaurant): ordering food and drink, understanding a menu, asking for the bill, food vocabulary

•       Direcciones (Directions): asking for and giving directions; prepositions of location (a la derecha, enfrente de, al lado de, entre, etc.)

•       Las actividades de vacaciones (Holiday activities): describing holiday activities in past, present, and future; weather vocabulary

•       Los servicios (Services): post office, bank, pharmacy, tourist office; transactions and enquiries

Topic C: El trabajo y el estilo de vida (Work and Lifestyle)

•       La vida en casa (Home life): household chores (hacer la cama, barrer, fregar), shopping, family responsibilities

•       La vida cotidiana y la salud (Everyday living and health): healthy lifestyle, food and diet, exercise, illness (me duele la cabeza, tengo fiebre), parts of the body, at the doctor's

•       Las practicas laborales (Work experience): part-time jobs, future career aspirations, qualities needed for work

•       El ocio (Leisure): going out, cinema, concerts, sports events, social media, meeting friends, what you like doing

•       Las compras (Shopping): clothes, sizes (talla), colours, at the market/shopping centre, prices, paying, asking for items

•       El medio ambiente (The environment): la contaminacion, el cambio climatico, el reciclaje, las energias renovables; actions to protect the environment

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Internal Assessment Grading: Creative Writing

Preparation Tips for Students

For the Written Paper

•       Composition: practise writing short Spanish compositions on everyday topics; use a variety of tenses, vocabulary, and sentence structures; aim for 100-150 well-constructed words; avoid translating directly from English

•       Letter writing: know the complete Spanish letter format for both formal (Estimado/a Sr./Sra. ... Atentamente) and informal (Querido/a ... Un abrazo / Saludos) letters; format marks are easy to secure

•       Comprehension: read Spanish texts regularly; practise answering questions precisely; do not copy whole sentences from the passage -- paraphrase or answer directly

•       Grammar priority topics: (1) Ser vs Estar -- memorise the meaning changes (aburrido, listo, malo, seguro, rico, bueno, vivo); (2) Preterite vs Imperfect -- preterite for completed events, imperfect for description/habit/background; (3) Reflexive verbs; (4) Gustar-type verbs (indirect object pronoun + verb); (5) Direct and indirect object pronouns and their position; (6) Radical-changing verbs; (7) Common irregular verb forms in all tenses; (8) Present subjunctive triggers (querer que, es importante que, para que)

•       Translation: practise short translations both ways; focus on accuracy and natural expression, not word-for-word; know key structural differences (adjective placement, double negation, personal 'a', reflexive verbs)

•       Solve previous ICSE Spanish question papers to understand the format, depth, and time management required

For the Internal Assessment

•       Listening: listen to authentic Spanish audio regularly (podcasts, YouTube channels, Spanish radio); practise understanding speakers from different regions -- Spain, Mexico, Argentina all sound different

•       Speaking: practise speaking in Spanish daily; prepare descriptions of pictures, narrations of your daily routine, and opinions on topics from the three communication themes; focus on fluency and clear pronunciation

•       Creative writing: use a variety of tenses, vocabulary, and sentence structures; proofread carefully for gender agreement (adjective-noun) and verb endings; avoid English sentence structures