Spanish · C1 · Family moment
When the school changes its assessment policy in Spanish
At C1, reporting school policies requires linguistic precision to distinguish between what the institution claims and what you personally vouch for. In Spanish, this distancing is often achieved through the use of the subjunctive in reported speech or by using specific introductory phrases like 'según' or 'al parecer'.
What you'll learn
- Use the subjunctive in reported speech to distance oneself from an institutional claim.
- Correctly form the passive voice (both 'pasiva refleja' and 'pasiva perifrástica') for process descriptions.
- Identify the nuance between reporting a current process and a future promise.
Spanish phrases for when the school changes its assessment policy
El director dice que al trabajo práctico se le dé la misma importancia.
The headteacher says practical work is given equal weight.
Using the subjunctive 'dé' instead of 'da' indicates you are reporting his words without necessarily confirming the reality.
Al parecer, cada evaluación sea revisada por un segundo docente.
Apparently, each assessment is checked by a second teacher.
'Al parecer' combined with the subjunctive highlights that this is a reported procedure.
La carta afirma que se tengan en cuenta las circunstancias individuales.
The letter states that individual circumstances are taken into account.
'Se tengan' uses the passive reflexive in the subjunctive to report the letter's claim.
Dice que a nadie se le evalúe únicamente por el rendimiento en los exámenes.
She says nobody is assessed solely on exam performance.
The subjunctive 'evalúe' helps maintain a neutral, reporting distance.
Según el colegio, los criterios sean explicados con antelación.
According to the school, the criteria are explained beforehand.
'Según' is the standard way to attribute information to a third party.
Dicen que la normativa sea revisada a intervalos regulares.
They say the policy is reviewed at regular intervals.
Uses 'sea revisada' (passive voice) in the subjunctive to report the ongoing process.
Solo informo de lo que aseguran, no confirmo que así sea.
I'm reporting their assurance, not confirming that it happens.
A useful phrase to clarify your stance as a neutral messenger.
¿Podríamos preguntar cómo se garantiza realmente la uniformidad en las notas?
Could we ask how consistent marking is actually ensured?
'Garantizar' is the precise term for ensuring a standard or result.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
rendimiento
performance / yield
Used specifically for academic or work output.
antelación
advance notice / beforehand
Commonly used in formal school communications.
normativa
policy / regulations
Refers to the collective set of rules rather than a single rule (regla).
docente
teacher / educator
A more formal term than 'profesor', often used in administrative contexts.
Reporting with Distancing (Subjunctive)
In Spanish, while the indicative is used for reporting facts, the subjunctive can be used in reported speech (indirect speech) to indicate that the speaker is merely relaying information from another source without endorsing its truth.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fact (Indicative) | El colegio dice que revisa la política. | The school says they review the policy (implied acceptance of fact). |
| Reported Claim (Subjunctive) | El colegio asegura que se revise la política. | The school assures that the policy is reviewed (neutral reporting). |
Passive Processes vs. Future Actions
Distinguishing between a process that currently happens (passive) and a future promise involves choosing between present subjunctive and future indicative.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passive Process | sea + participio | La prueba sea evaluada (The test is [reportedly] evaluated). |
| Future Promise | será + participio | La prueba será evaluada (The test will be evaluated). |
More examples
Según el comunicado, toda ausencia sea justificada.
According to the announcement, every absence is (reportedly) justified.
Uses the subjunctive to mirror the 'distancing' effect of reported passive processes.
El director insiste en que el progreso sea monitoreado.
The headteacher insists that progress is (being) monitored.
Here the subjunctive also carries a sense of a requirement or a claim.