FIELD       HUMANITIES

 

Review of English for Speakers of Other Languages unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

Id

Languages

English for Speakers of Other Languages

15011, 15014, 17145-17149, 17365, 17367, 17369

 

NZQA National Qualifications Services (NQS) has completed the review of the unit standards listed above.

 

Date new versions published                                                          March 2010

 

Planned review date                                                                           December 2014

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

In 2004, standards for academic purposes were developed in order to provide an indication of a learner's linguistic ability to cope with university study.  As there were issues of level integrity and duplication with existing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Level 4 standards, which were difficult to resolve when reviewed in isolation, it was decided to review the existing Level 4 standards alongside the new academic standards and submit both sets of standards for registration at the same time.  This review began in 2007 and continued through to 2008.  In order to address the additional issue of level parity, the new and existing Level 4 standards were reviewed alongside the ESOL Level 1-3, 5 and 6 standards.  Changes were made to ensure consistency across all levels.

 

A panel was assembled comprising members from universities, secondary schools, private training establishments, national moderators, executive members of the national association of teachers and tutors of ESOL (TESOLANZ), and tutors of ESOL.

 

The outcome of the review and the development of new academic standards has created a group of standards that can be used in a variety of settings and assess a wide range of skills.  In the case of the new academic standards, the review has set a robust standard that when achieved gives a clear indication that an individual is linguistically competent to undertake tertiary study in New Zealand.

 

When the review was completed the standards were sent out for consultation to the wider ESOL community, which endorsed the changes.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

·         Changes to titles and purpose statements were made to clearly reflect the intended outcomes.  The phrase, 'using ESOL' was deleted as the meaning carries ambiguity.  This phrase was replaced by '(ESOL)' to indicate the ESOL domain-specific context.

·         Changes to special notes, elements, performance criteria, and range statements were made for clarity, logical progression, and consistency across levels.

·         Changes were made to titles of standards 15011, 17146, 17367, and 17369 to better reflect outcomes.

·         Additional specifications were included in special notes with regard to: text requirements, dictionary use, accuracy and pronunciation, tutor assistance, and assessment conditions.

·         References to NZ School Curriculum levels were removed as unit standards are for both secondary and tertiary use.

·         As reading standards 17147, 17148, 17149, and 17365 assess similar skills, they were designated expiring and replaced by new standard 25098 which assesses generic reading skills.

·         Standard 15014 was designated expiring and will not be replaced as the outcomes are covered in Level 3 unit standards in speaking.

·         Standard 17145 was designated expiring and will not be replaced due to low usage.

·         The credit value of standard 17146 was lowered from 5 to 4 to more realistically reflect the amount of work required for achievement.

·         The credit value of standards 17367 and 17369 were increased from 5 credits to 6 credits to more accurately reflect the time required for achievement.

·         Elements 1 and 2 of standard 15011 were merged into element 1, element 3 was also removed, and the credit value was lowered from 10 to 4 to more realistically reflect the amount of work required for achievement.

·         Five new standards were developed specifically to assess the academic skills of ESOL learners wanting to study at tertiary level in New Zealand.

 

Unit standards categorised as category C or D expire at the end of December 2012.

 

Impact on existing provider accreditations

 

Current Accreditation for

Accreditation extended to

Nature of accreditation

Id

Level

Nature of accreditation

Id

Level

Standard

17147

4

Standard

25098

4

Standard

17148

4

Standard

25098

4

Standard

17149

4

Standard

25098

4

Standard

17365

4

Standard

25098

4

 

Impact on Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP)

 

AMAP 0226 has been updated to reflect the changes made to the standards.

 

Impact on existing qualifications

 

Qualifications that contain the reviewed standards or classifications are tabled below.

 

Affected

The qualification lists a reviewed classification (domain or subfield) in an elective set

The qualification lists a standard that has changes to level or credits

The qualification lists a C or D category standard

Not materially affected

The qualification lists a standard that has a new title

The qualification lists a standard that has a new classification

 

The following NZQA National Qualifications Service qualification is affected by the outcome of this review and will be reviewed in 2010.

 

Qualification title

Standard in the qualification

National Certificate in Employment Skills [Ref: 0231]

15014

 

Review Categories and changes to classification, title, level and credits

 

All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

 

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same Id and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same Id and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new Id

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Subfield         Languages

Domain          English for Speakers of Other Languages

Id

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

15011

Identify the ideas expressed in extended speech in a range of contexts, using ESOL

Identify ideas expressed in extended speech (ESOL)

4

10

4

B

15014

Speak informally to achieve a range of communicative purposes, using ESOL

4

5

D

17145

Negotiate a complex problematic exchange, using ESOL

4

5

D

17146

Participate in a small group discussion, using ESOL

Participate in a formal meeting (ESOL)

4

5

4

B

17147

17148

17149

17365

25098

Read extended procedural texts, using ESOL

Read extended narrative texts, using ESOL

Read extended information texts, using ESOL

Read extended persuasive texts, using ESOL

Read texts for practical purposes (ESOL)

4

4

4

4

4

5

5

5

5

5

C

C

C

C

17367

Write a discussion, using ESOL

Write discussions (ESOL)

4

5

6

B

17369

Write a report for a specified audience, using ESOL

Write reports for a specified purpose (ESOL)

4

5

6

B

22749

Write texts under test conditions for academic purposes (ESOL)

4

5

New

22750

Write a crafted text using researched material for an academic purpose (ESOL)

4

5

New

22751

Read and process information for academic purposes (ESOL)

4

5

New

22891

Deliver an oral presentation for an academic purpose (ESOL)

4

5

New

22892

Demonstrate understanding of spoken texts and process information for an academic purpose (ESOL)

4

5

New