Those nice people at Ofqual have issued a press release confirming the assessment procedures for the new GCSE exams in MFL.
This is how the new GCSE in MFL will look:
- 25 per cent of marks to be allocated to each of listening, speaking, reading and writing
I think this is a good idea
- Reading, writing and listening skills to be assessed by exam
I even like this. I was never a fan of controlled assessments or coursework. Too many opportunities for shenanigans in my opinion.
- Speaking to be assessed by non-exam assessment
I think this means that speaking may continue to be assessed in the same way.
- Where a qualification is tiered, students must take all their assessments in one tier, not across a combination of both.
This the one I'm not too sure about.
In the past, I have come across many students who are better in one skill than in the others.
Many of my weaker students who have just achieved a C grade at GCSE, have done so because they've achieved incredibly well in the Higher tier reading exam.
Sadly, it seems that these new arrangements will penalise weaker students.
Perhaps that's the whole idea...
2 comments:
I agree, Dom, on all points. The enforced single tier is baffling. When was the last time we had such inflexibility? It's clearly not in the interest of pupils, so why are they doing it? What is the exam system actually for, then?
Thanks for the comment. I think that many pupils will not study a language because of this and also that some schools will persuade students not to study a language in order to prevent "failure".
Post a Comment