GCSE subject criteria in Welsh First Language. November 2008

Transcription

1 GCSE subject criteria in Welsh First Language November 2008 Crown copyright 2008 Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment 2008 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 2008

2 Contents Introduction...3 Aims and Learning Outcomes..3 Contents of the specification. 4 Assessment objectives Assessment scheme Grade Descriptions...6 Annex 1: The essential skills for Welsh First Language...8

3 Introduction 1. These criteria define the subject-specific essentials for GCSE specifications in Welsh First Language. 2. Specifications must also meet the regulators general requirements, including the Common and GCSE criteria as defined in The statutory regulation of external qualifications (AC/GM/0549). 3. Subject criteria are intended to: help ensure consistent and comparable standards in the same subject across the awarding bodies ensure that the rigour of GCSE is maintained ensure that specifications build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established by the national and basic curriculum in Wales and facilitate progression to further study of Welsh help higher education institutions, employers and other stakeholders such as candidates, parents/guardians know what has been studied and assessed. 4 A specification that meets the Welsh requirements of the National Curriculum Order must use the title Welsh. 5. Any specification which contains significant elements of the subject Welsh First Language must be consistent with the relevant parts of these criteria. Aims and Learning Outcomes 6. Specifications for GCSE Welsh First Language should encourage learners to be inspired, moved and changed by studying a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. They should develop their interest and enthusiasm for the Welsh language and equip learners to contribute to a bilingual society. They should prepare learners to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career options. 7. Specifications for GCSE Welsh First Language must enable learners to: Communicate confidently and effectively in the language Equip candidates to develop their skills in order to meet the needs of candidates, employers and further education Prepare candidates to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for further study, including study of Welsh at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.

4 Contents of the specification 8. Each specification must identify the skills, knowledge and understanding which will be assessed. 9. GCSE specifications for Welsh First Language must reflect the learning outcomes in the content. 10. Every specification in Welsh First Language should build appropriately on the knowledge, understanding and skills in the Key Stage 3 Welsh Programme of Study. 11. Every specification which bears the title GCSE Welsh First Language should address the skills, knowledge and understanding in the Key Stage 4 Welsh Programme of Study. 12. Each specification must present the content in a way that will assist effective and cohesive teaching, learning and assessment in a concise and coherent manner. 13. Every specification must ensure that candidates are taught and assessed in the essential skills listed in Annex Every specification which bears the title GCSE in Welsh First Language must ensure that candidates have the opportunity to: discuss and response orally as individuals and as members of a group, using language suitable for the purpose and the audience read and respond to a wide range of literary and non literary texts write in a range of different forms. Every candidate should write for a variety of purposes and audiences. pay appropriate attention to accuracy of syntax and expression orally and in writing. Assessment objectives 15. A specification must assess the ability of candidates to:

5 Assessment objectives % weighting AO1 Use the language in varied and realistic situations; address a range of spoken communication forms and respond to various stimuli and situations, taking part in spoken activities individually and with others; using the appropriate register and paying attention to language quality and fluency. 30%-35% AO2 Read and understand a variety of reading materials, selecting what is relevant for specific purposes and conveying the meaning of extracts to others; respond to content, form, register, language and devices used by the author. 30%-35% AO3 Write Welsh effectively, using a variety of forms suitable for the purpose and audience and demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of vocabulary and language, choosing an appropriate style; demonstrate a grasp of paragraphing, syntax, spelling and punctuation. 35%-40% 16. The skills listed above are interrelated and interdependent. Assessment scheme

6 17. A specification must require that AO1 and AO3 mark schemes ensure that at least half the marks are given for the language quality and accuracy of expression and that a large proportion of AO2 marks are awarded for accuracy of language and expression. 18. Dictionaries are not permitted in the external assessment. 19. English responses are not permitted. 20. In the scheme of assessment, the weighting for external assessment must be 40% of the whole assessment. 21. In the scheme of assessment, the weighting for internal assessment must be 60% of the whole assessment. 22. Every assessment objective should be assessed in the controlled assessment. 23. Written examination papers must target the two tiers of grades: A*-D (Higher Tier) and C-G (Foundation Tier). Description of grades 24. Grade descriptions are provided to give a general indication of the standards of achievements likely to have been shown by candidates awarded particular grades. The descriptions must be interpreted in relation to the content specified. The grade awarded will have met the overall assessment objectives. Shortcomings in some aspects of the examination may be balanced by better performances in others. Grade F Candidates will be expected to make effective contributions when speaking and listening in some contexts; maintain the interest of others by adding some colour to their expression; present information showing some ability to give reasons when expressing their opinion. Candidates will be expected to read a variety of texts and show an awareness of the basic meaning; gather information from a variety of sources; respond simply and refer to text read. Candidates will be expected to write simple personal and creative passages; present information on topics of a simple and general nature effectively; express opinions simply; spell the majority of simple words correctly; use elementary vocabulary and constructions, making an effort to use paragraphs and punctuation.

7 Grade C Candidates will be expected to contribute confidently when discussing different topics; use language in different contexts, speaking clearly and in quite an orderly fashion; express opinions taking into consideration different points of view. Candidates will be expected to read and respond to a variety of materials; gather information from a variety of sources effectively and show some ability to analyse ideas; respond to material by analysing and expressing opinion on the most obvious aspects. Candidates will be expected to produce personal and creative work effectively; present information on topics of some complexity, showing detail and order at times; express an opinion, offering evidence to support their views; display a good grasp of spelling, mutations, punctuation, paragraphing, vocabulary and syntax. Grade A Candidates will be expected to contribute confidently and ask penetrating questions when developing discussion in a variety of situations, showing the ability to elaborate and summarise; express themselves clearly and well in language appropriate to the task and the audience, varying their expression; show initiative and confidence when expressing opinions and developing discussion. Candidates will be expected to read and respond critically to a wide variety of challenging material; gather information from a variety of challenging sources, presenting them cohesively; compare texts in detail and penetratingly, using cross-reference techniques appropriately. Candidates will be expected to develop their arguments logically and lucidly supporting their views with appropriate evidence; present information on challenging topics, displaying detail and order; display a firm grasp of spelling, mutations, punctuation and paragraphing, using a wide vocabulary and a full range of syntax.

8 ANNEX 1 The essential skills for Welsh First Language, referred to in paragraph 13, are defined as follows: Oral Grades G to D In formal and informal situations, candidates should be able to: listen to others, responding to them appropriately. contribute meaningfully to discussions in appropriate language. present information clearly using appropriate language. Grades C to A* In formal and informal situations, candidates should be able to: listen carefully to others and respond appropriately to them. contribute meaningfully to discussions using appropriate language forms. present information coherently and clearly using appropriate language forms. Reading Grades G to D Candidates should; read, understand and discuss non-literary texts e.g. documents such as signs and public information, lists, forms, records, narratives, s, notes, letters, diagrams, instructions, reports, memoranda. note the main points in a text and understand the author s intentions. offer comments on how effectively the meaning in texts is conveyed. Grades C to A* Candidates should; read, understand and discuss challenging non-literary texts e.g. documents

9 such as signs and public information, lists, forms, records, narratives, e- mails, notes, letters, diagrams, instructions, reports, memoranda. Note the key points in a text and understand the author s intentions exactly. Discuss and evaluate texts effectively. Writing Grades G to D Candidates should; Write organised and meaningful documents in order to convey information, to express an opinion and to present ideas. They should write tasks with a functional or vocational bent e.g. documents such as signs and public information, lists, forms, records, narratives, s, notes, letters, diagrams, instructions, reports, memoranda, essays. Use different writing styles for different purposes Proof-read and check their written work so that it is correct and its meaning is clear write Welsh correctly choosing appropriate vocabulary and syntax. Candidates should use ICT where this is appropriate. Grades C to A* Candidates should; write organised and coherent documents to convey information, to express an opinion and to present ideas. They should write tasks with a functional or vocational bent e.g. documents such as signs and public information, lists, forms, records, narratives, s, notes, letters, diagrams, instructions, reports, memoranda, essays. Use a number of different writing styles which are fit for purpose and for the audience Proof-read and check their written work so that it is correct and its meaning is clear Write Welsh correctly choosing from a wide stock of syntax and vocabulary. Candidates should use ICT where this is appropriate.