Field          Humanities

 

Review of Languages Level 2 achievement and unit standards

 

Unit standards

Subfield

Domain

ID

Languages

Chinese

12103-12111

Cook Island Māori

16727-16735

French

12135-12143

German

12230-12237

Indonesian

N/A

Japanese

12074-12080

Korean

14907-14913

Samoan

12201-12209

Spanish

12168-12176

 

Achievement standards

Domain

ID

Subject reference

Chinese

90382

Languages 2.1

90383

Languages 2.2

90384

Languages 2.3

90385

Languages 2.4

90386

Languages 2.5

90387

Languages 2.6

Cook Islands Māori

90388

Languages 2.1

90389

Languages 2.2

90390

Languages 2.3

90391

Languages 2.4

90392

Languages 2.5

90394

Languages 2.7

French

90395

Languages 2.1

90396

Languages 2.2

90397

Languages 2.3

90398

Languages 2.4

90399

Languages 2.5

90400

Languages 2.6

German

90401

Languages 2.1

90402

Languages 2.2

90403

Languages 2.3

90404

Languages 2.4

90405

Languages 2.5

90406

Languages 2.6

Indonesian

90407

Languages 2.1

90408

Languages 2.2

90409

Languages 2.3

90410

Languages 2.4

90411

Languages 2.5

90412

Languages 2.6

Japanese

90484

Languages 2.1

90485

Languages 2.2

90486

Languages 2.3

90487

Languages 2.4

90488

Languages 2.5

90489

Languages 2.6

Korean

90413

Languages 2.1

90414

Languages 2.2

90415

Languages 2.3

90416

Languages 2.4

90417

Languages 2.5

90418

Languages 2.6

Samoan

90419

Languages 2.1

90420

Languages 2.2

90421

Languages 2.3

90422

Languages 2.4

90423

Languages 2.5

90425

Languages 2.7

Spanish

90426

Languages 2.1

90427

Languages 2.2

90428

Languages 2.3

90429

Languages 2.4

90430

Languages 2.5

90431

Languages 2.6

 

The Ministry of Education and NZQA National Qualifications Services have completed a review of the achievement and unit standards listed above.

 

New Registration date                           November 2011

 

Date new versions published             November 2011

 

Planned review date                              December 2014

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

In 2008 the Ministry of Education (MoE) and NZQA began to review achievement and unit standards in light of the revised New Zealand Curriculum (NZC).  This Alignment of Standards (AoS) review also addressed duplication of outcomes, credit parity, fairness, consistency, and coherence.  The AoS review was guided by the revised NZC itself and the Standards Review Guidelines.  A copy of the NZC is available at: http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Curriculum-documents/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum.

 

Teacher subject associations were involved in the review, and draft achievement standards were the focus of wide consultation, especially with secondary schools and teachers.  Extensive resources, including student exemplars, were also developed to support these standards, and are available on the MoE and/or the NZQA websites.

 

The review of unit standards included consultation with tertiary providers to assess continued relevance and likely future use of the standards.  Unit standards that duplicate achievement standard outcomes and those without the likelihood of future tertiary use were recommended for expiry.

 

National consultation was undertaken in 2010, with the results analysed by Research New Zealand.  The responses were generally positive.

 

The review of these Level 2 unit and achievement standards was completed in time for implementation in schools in 2012.  The review of unit and achievement standards at Level 1 was completed in time for implementation in schools in 2011.  Standards at Level 3 will be implemented in 2013.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

·         All NZC Level 7 (NZQF Level 2) outcomes derived from the NZC are now assessed using achievement standards, and there are no longer any unit standards linked to the NZC.

·         Existing achievement standards were reviewed and new achievement standards were developed to align with the NZC.  See table below.

·         Grading criteria for achievement standards were reviewed in accordance with the Standards Review Guidelines.

·         Unit standards that recognised similar outcomes as achievement standards were recommended for expiry.  See table below.

 

For a detailed description of the review of, and the changes to, the languages standards see the appendix at the end of this report.

 

Impact on Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR)

(Formerly known as AMAP)

 

All new achievement standards have been registered on CMR 0233.

 

Impact of changes on NCEA Exclusions List

 

For transition purposes, the following exclusions will apply for new achievement standards.

 

New Achievement standard

Excluded against each of these standards

91108

12103, 90382

91109

12104, 90384

91110

12105, 90383

91111

12106, 90385

91112

12107, 90386, 90387

91113

16727, 90388

91114

16728, 90390

91115

16729, 90389

91116

16730, 90391

91117

16731, 90392, 90394

91118

12135, 90395

91119

12136, 90397

91120

12137, 90396

91121

12138, 90398

91122

12139, 90399, 90400

91123

12230, 90401

91124

12231, 90403

91125

12232, 90402

91126

12233, 90404

91127

12234, 90405, 90406

91128

90407

91129

90408

91130

90409

91131

90410

91132

90411, 90412

91133

12074, 90484

91134

12075, 90486

91135

12076, 90485

91136

12077, 90487

91137

12078, 90488, 90489

91138

14907, 90413

91139

14908, 90415

91140

14909, 90414

91141

14910, 90416

91142

14911, 90417, 90418

91143

12201, 90419

91144

12202, 90421

91145

12203, 90420

91146

12204, 90422

91147

12205, 90423, 90425

91148

12168, 90426

91149

12169, 90428

91150

12170, 90427

91151

12171, 90429

91152

12172, 90430, 90431

 

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

 

The following summary shows the changes made to the standards as a result of the review.  All changes are in bold.  Where a new or a new version of an externally assessed achievement standard is registered, the following designation appears after the title [Externally Assessed].

 

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 achievement standard with a new ID

D

Achievement standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Externally assessed achievement standards categorised as category C or D expire at the end of

December 2011

 

Internally assessed achievement standards and unit standards categorised as category C or D expire at the end of

December 2012

 

Humanities > Languages > Chinese

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

12103

 

 

90382

 

 

91108

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in Chinese in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in Chinese in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Chinese texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

 

2

6

 

 

6

 

 

5

C

 

 

C

12104

 

90384

 

91109

 

 

 

 

2.3

Converse in Chinese in less familiar contexts

Converse in Chinese in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Chinese to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

 

2

 

2

 

6

 

3

 

5

C

 

C

 

 

12105

90383

 

91110

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in Chinese

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Chinese on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Chinese that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

12106

 

90385

 

91111

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in Chinese

Read and understand written language in Chinese in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Chinese text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

C

 

C

 

 

12108

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in Chinese

2

6

D

12109

 

Translate into English passages of Chinese on a given topic

2

3

D

12110

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward Chinese on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

12111

 

Describe and compare cultural aspects of China

2

2

D

12107

90386

 

90387

 

 

91112

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write a short text in Chinese

Write text in Chinese on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in Chinese on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in Chinese to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

 

2

 

 

2

4

3

 

3

 

 

5

 

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > Cook Islands Māori

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

16727

 

 

90388

 

91113

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in CIs Māori in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in Cook Islands Māori in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Cook Islands Māori texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

 

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

16728

 

90390

 

91114

 

 

 

 

2.3

Converse in CIs Māori in less familiar contexts

Converse in Cook Islands Māori in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Cook Islands Māori to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

3

 

5

 

C

 

C

 

 

16729

90389

 

91115

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in CIs Māori

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Cook Islands Māori on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Cook Islands Māori that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

16730

 

90391

 

91116

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in CIs Māori

Read and understand written language in Cook Islands Māori in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Cook Islands Māori text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

C

 

C

 

 

16732

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in CIs Māori

2

6

D

16733

 

Translate into English passages of CIs Māori on a given topic

2

3

D

16734

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward CIs Māori on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

16735

 

Describe and compare cultural aspects of the Cook Islands

2

2

D

16731

90392

 

90394

 

 

91117

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

Write a short text in CIs Māori

Write text in Cook Islands Māori on a less familiar topic

Participate in a less familiar cultural situation using visual and specialised Cook Islands Māori language

Write a variety of text types in Cook Islands Māori to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

 

2

 

 

2

4

3

 

3

 

 

5

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > French

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

12135

 

 

90395

 

91118

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in French in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in French in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken French texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

 

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

12136

90397

91119

 

 

2.3

Converse in French in less familiar contexts

Converse in French in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken French to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

2

2

6

3

5

 

C

C

 

12137

90396

 

91120

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in French

Give a prepared spoken presentation in French on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in French that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

12138

 

90398

 

91121

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in French

Read and understand written language in French in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual French text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

C

 

 

12140

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in French

2

6

D

12141

 

Translate into English passages of French on a given topic

2

3

D

12142

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward French on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

12143

 

Describe and compare cultural aspects of a French speaking country

2

2

D

12139

90399

90400

 

91122

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

Write a short text in French

Write text in French on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in French on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in French to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

2

 

2

4

3

3

 

5

C

C

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > German

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

12230

 

 

90401

 

91123

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in German in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in German in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken German texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

12231

90403

 

91124

 

 

 

2.3

 

Converse in German in less familiar contexts

Converse in German in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken German to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

2

 

2

 

6

3

 

5

 

C

C

 

12232

90402

 

91125

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in German

Give a prepared spoken presentation in German on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in German that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

 

 

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

12233

 

90404

 

91126

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in German

Read and understand written language in German in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual German text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

C

 

 

12235

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in German

2

6

D

12236

 

Translate into English passages of German on a given topic

2

3

D

12237

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward German on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

12234

90405

90406

 

91127

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write a short text in German

Write text in German on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in German on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in German to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

2

 

2

4

3

3

 

5

 

C

C

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > Indonesian

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

90407

 

91128

 

 

2.1

Listen to and understand spoken language in Indonesian in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Indonesian texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

90408

 

91129

 

 

2.2

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Indonesian on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Indonesian that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

 

2

3

 

4

 

 

C

 

 

90409

 

91130

 

 

2.3

Converse in Indonesian in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Indonesian to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

 

2

3

 

5

 

 

C

 

90410

 

91131

 

 

2.4

Read and understand written language in Indonesian in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Indonesian text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

6

 

5

 

 

C

 

 

90411

 

90412

 

 

91132

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write text in Indonesian on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in Indonesian on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in Indonesian to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

 

2

 

 

2

3

 

3

 

 

5

C

 

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > Japanese

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

12074

 

 

90484

 

91133

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in Japanese in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in Japanese in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Japanese texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

12075

 

90486

 

91134

 

 

 

 

2.3

Converse in Japanese in less familiar contexts

Converse in Japanese in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Japanese to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

3

 

5

 

C

 

C

 

12076

90485

 

91135

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in Japanese

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Japanese on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Japanese that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

12077

 

90487

 

91136

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in Japanese

Read and understand written language in Japanese in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Japanese text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

 

 

C

 

C

 

 

12079

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in Japanese

2

6

D

12080

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward Japanese on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

12078

90488

90489

 

 

91137

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write a short text in Japanese

Write text in Japanese on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in Japanese on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in Japanese to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

2

 

 

2

4

3

3

 

 

5

 

C

C

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > Korean

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

14907

 

 

90413

 

91138

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in Korean in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in Korean in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Korean texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

14908

90415

91139

 

 

2.3

Converse in Korean in less familiar contexts

Converse in Korean in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Korean to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

2

2

6

3

5

 

C

C

 

14909

90414

 

91140

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in Korean

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Korean on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Korean that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

14910

 

90416

 

91141

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in Korean

Read and understand written language in Korean in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Korean text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

 

6

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

C

 

 

14912

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in Korean

2

6

D

14913

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward Korean on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

14911

90417

90418

 

91142

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write a short text in Korean

Write text in Korean on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in Korean on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in Korean to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

2

 

2

4

3

3

 

5

C

C

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > Samoan

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

12201

 

 

90419

 

91143

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in Samoan in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in Samoan in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Samoan texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

12202

90421

 

91144

 

 

 

2.3

 

Converse in Samoan in less familiar contexts

Converse in Samoan in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Samoan to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

2

 

2

 

6

3

 

5

 

C

C

 

12203

90420

 

91145

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in Samoan

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Samoan on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Samoan that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

12204

 

90422

 

91146

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in Samoan

Read and understand written language in Samoan in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Samoan text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

C

 

 

12206

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in Samoan

2

6

D

12207

 

Translate into English passages of Samoan on a given topic

2

3

D

12208

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward Samoan on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

12209

 

Describe and compare cultural aspects of Samoa

2

2

D

12205

90423

90425

 

 

91147

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write a short text in Samoan

Write text in Samoan on a less familiar topic

Participate in a less familiar cultural situation using visual and specialised Samoan language

Write a variety of text types in Samoan to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

 

 

 

2

4

3

3

 

 

5

 

C

C

C

 

 

 

Humanities > Languages > Spanish

ID

Ref

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

12168

 

 

90426

 

91148

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Identify main points and specific details from spoken texts in Spanish in less familiar contexts

Listen to and understand spoken language in Spanish in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of spoken Spanish texts on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

 

2

 

2

6

 

 

6

 

5

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

12169

90428

 

91149

 

 

 

2.3

Converse in Spanish in less familiar contexts

Converse in Spanish in a less familiar context

Interact using spoken Spanish to share information and justify ideas and opinions in different situations

2

2

 

2

 

6

3

 

5

 

 

C

C

 

12170

90427

 

91150

 

 

 

 

2.2

Deliver a presentation in Spanish

Give a prepared spoken presentation in Spanish on a less familiar topic

Give a spoken presentation in Spanish that communicates information, ideas and opinions

2

2

 

2

2

3

 

4

C

C

 

 

12171

 

90429

 

91151

 

 

 

 

2.4

Identify main points and specific details from written texts in Spanish

Read and understand written language in Spanish in less familiar contexts

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of written and/or visual Spanish text(s) on familiar matters [Externally Assessed]

2

 

2

 

2

6

 

6

 

5

 

 

C

 

C

 

 

12173

 

Write correspondence and a narrative in Spanish

2

6

D

12174

 

Translate into English passages of Spanish on a given topic

2

3

D

12175

 

Summarise in English passages of straightforward Spanish on a less familiar topic

2

3

D

12176

 

Describe and compare aspects of Hispanic cultures

2

2

D

12172

90430

90431

 

91152

 

 

 

 

2.5

Write a short text in Spanish

Write text in Spanish on a less familiar topic

Produce crafted writing in Spanish on a less familiar topic, with the support of resources

Write a variety of text types in Spanish to convey information, ideas, and opinions in genuine contexts

2

2

2

 

2

4

3

3

 

5

 

C

C

C

 

 

Appendix

 

Development of Learning Languages Standards

 

Process of Aligning Standards with the New Zealand Curriculum

Changes to the assessable knowledge required by the new achievement objectives in the NZC were identified.  These focus on the ability to interact and make meaning of the different languages.  Initial feedback shaped the work needed to re-think the matrix and the subsequently developed achievement standards.

 

The result was a matrix of achievement standard titles that demand clear evidence of the students' ability to use the target language for communicative purposes.  The titles in the draft matrix show that the achievement standards:

·         are derived from the NZ curriculum: the assessment of skills within the communication strand is evident in each title

·         have a clear purpose: each title clearly indicates that only one criterion will be assessed

·         reflect a notional 10 hours of learning, practice and assessment for an average candidate: the increase of credit value for the interact achievement standard also takes into account that for this particular skill, both listening and speaking are needed to be successful.

 

From this matrix achievement standards were developed that improved grade criteria, explanatory notes and definitions to provide teachers, students and parents with clear details of assessment requirements.

 

Feedback from national consultation has resulted in titles which describe the outcomes in a more meaningful way, in explanatory notes that more clearly unpack the requirements of the achievement standards, and in minor readjustment of credit allocation across the achievement standards.

 

Addressing Duplication

There were approximately 125 achievement standards and 180 unit standards under review across the languages represented in this process.  Once the aligned achievement standards were developed duplication of outcomes with existing unit standards was identified.  These unit standards were then recommended for expiry.

 

Addressing Credit Parity

The Credit Parity principle - one credit should reflect a notional 10 hours of learning, practice and assessment for an average candidate - gives a clear guideline to the allocation of credit value.  This principle has been used to allocate credits to all achievement standards.

 

The written or written and visual text (2.4) achievement standard has been allocated 5 credits, which is a realistic indication of the cumulative learning required to gain this achievement standard.

 

The only internal achievement standard in the draft matrix that is not assessed in a portfolio format is the spoken presentation (2.2) achievement standard.  Though there is very little change from the existing achievement standard to the new, the increased focus on communication in the NZC was one part of the rationale to increase the current credit value from 3 to 4 credits.  The other part was the acknowledgement that students have to synthesise all the learning up to the point of assessment to be successful, and raising the current credit value emphasises this.

 

The understanding of spoken texts (2.1) achievement standard provides students with an additional opportunity to gain credits in this skill that is an essential component for communicative capabilities.  Though also assessing cumulative learning up to the point of assessment, the credit value takes into account that students have two standards, which assess this skill, and thus the achievement standard has been allocated 5 credits.

 

External and Internal Assessment

Student and teacher workload, as well as the appropriateness of the modes of assessment in the draft matrix in view of the NZC and its focus on assessing Interacting and Making meaning, were considered in recommending modes of assessment.  All speaking opportunities are assessed internally, as they are currently, and so is the writing.  Current assessment of listening and reading skills in external examinations provide perceived national consistency of grading.  The external modes are retained for the 2.1 and 2.4 achievement standards.

 

The outcome that was assessed in the previous 2.7 achievement standard (Participate in less familiar cultural situations using visual and specialised (selected second language) language can now be assessed in the new 2.3 achievement standard.

 

Overall the changes are not major apart from the omission of the existing external writing achievement standard.  This achievement standard was deleted because the outcome being assessed did not align with the curriculum learning area outcomes.  Writing in an examination setting does not provide communicative opportunities to use target language.