Assessment Matters

Level 1 Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Samoan and Spanish externally assessed standards in 2011
A2011/013 - 09 Aug 2011

Level 1 Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Samoan and Spanish externally assessed standards in 2011

The following additional information is being provided in response to questions from teachers:

There are two externally assessed standards and candidates will have a three hour examination session.

The Spoken Texts Standard (1.1) Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken [target language] texts on areas of most immediate relevance.

For 2011 only, teachers may read the listening passage transcript to candidates as they have in the past, otherwise the examination supervisor will play the CD. All schools will be provided with both the CD and the transcript.

Before the first reading of each listening passage, candidates will be given time (30 seconds per question) to read the questions that relate to that passage.

Each listening passage will be divided into sections. The lengths of pauses at the end of each listening section will vary, depending on the amount and complexity of language candidates will hear and be required to process. During the pauses, candidates may:

• write notes in the Listening Notes boxes

• begin to write their answers.

At the completion of the reading of the passages or playing of the CD, candidates should use their notes to complete and/or refine their answers.

The Reading and/or Viewing Standard (1.4) Demonstrate understanding of a variety of [target language] texts on areas of most immediate relevance.

For each text or group of linked texts, candidates should:

• read the text(s) thoroughly

• then answer the related question(s).

This is because information, ideas and/or opinions from throughout the text may be required to fully address the requirements of the question or any part of the question. If a question has several parts, these are unlikely to be in sequential order and will not be able to be answered with sentence by sentence translation.

Both standards (1.1 and 1.4)
As stated in Explanatory Note (EN) 2, candidates may respond ‘in their choice of English, te reo Māori, and/or the target language’. This means that within any question, and across the paper as a whole, they may respond in one or a mixture of languages. The intention of this EN is to address the issue that it is not the candidates’ ability to write English that is being examined, it is their understanding of the target language. For example, a candidate who does not know the meaning of a particular word or phrase, but can tell from context that it is relevant (thus demonstrating a valid language skill) may choose to write that word or phrase in their answer in the target language, and the rest of the answer in English/te reo Māori. 

Candidates should be familiar with the EN 3, “Definitions” and what these require. That is, they will:

• make meaning of information, ideas and/or opinions from the texts (Achievement).

• select and unambiguously communicate relevant information, ideas and/or opinions from the texts (Merit).

• expand on with supporting detail to show understanding of implied meanings or conclusions of relevant information, ideas and/or opinions from the texts (Excellence).

Candidates who only translate the texts are unlikely to demonstrate Merit or Excellence because they will not have demonstrated the higher level skills as defined.

Enquiries

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