LPAT Briefing Session (English Language)Date: 15 November 2008 (Saturday)Time: 1:00pm - 3:30 pmVenue: Queens CollegeSpeakers: Dr Neil DRAVE 1:00pm 2:20pm Manager - Assessment Development (LPAT English Language), HKEAA Teresa CHU 2:45pm 3:15pm Language Proficiency Assessment Section, EDB

RundownAims of the SessionOverview of the LPAT English LanguageOutline of the PapersPaper 1 (Reading)Paper 2 (Writing)Paper 3 (Listening)Paper 4 (Speaking)Break (& Question submission time)Questions (Paper 1 4)Classroom Language Assessment (CLA)Questions

AimsIntroduce the AssessmentIntroduce each paper, with examples from recent assessmentsGive you some hints about how to do wellAnswer questionsMore information in the Handbook for Candidates

Handbook for Candidates (+CD, DVD)

Norm-referenced vs. Standards-referenced assessment

Level 55% of candidatesLevel 440%Level 320%Level 25%Level 130%

Paper 1 ReadingDuration: one hour 30 minutes3 Reading Comprehension passagesPassages are about 1 page of A4 eachOne longer, two shorter (may change from year to year)Most require phrases or sentences as answersTopics and genres will be of different kindsSome MC questions (4 options) blacken the circle

Sample PassagePassage

Build an Encyclopedia: Everybody is InvitedIn the last ten years, the Internet has opened up incredible amounts of information to ordinary citizens. But using the Internet can be like walking into a library where the books are all lying on the floor in piles. While tools like Google allow some structured search, much of the data from such searches is outdated or of questionable value. Some web enthusiasts have taken up the task of organizing information through a democratic means that only the Internet allows: an encyclopedia of the people, by the people, and completely free to copy and distribute. This peoples encyclopedia of the Weba free site called Wikipediahas provided a unique solution by inviting individuals to participate in the process of rationalizing and updating web content. At the heart of this movement are wikis, web sites that allow users to directly edit any web page with one click of the mouse. (The Hawaiian word for quick, WikiWiki, is the basis for the wiki name.) [continues]

RubricPassage A Please answer the following questions. You may use words from the passage or your own words except where explicitly stated. You do not have to answer each question in complete sentences but make sure that your answers are full enough and coherent enough for the assessor to understand.

Sample Questions

Sample Passage (answers underlined)Passage [Underlining not in original!]

Build an Encyclopedia: Everybody is InvitedIn the last ten years, the Internet has opened up incredible amounts of information to ordinary citizens. But using the Internet can be like walking into a library where the books are all lying on the floor in piles. While tools like Google allow some structured search, much of the data from such searches is outdated or of questionable value. Some web enthusiasts have taken up the task of organizing information through a democratic means that only the Internet allows: an encyclopedia of the people, by the people, and completely free to copy and distribute. This peoples encyclopedia of the Weba free site called Wikipediahas provided a unique solution by inviting individuals to participate in the process of rationalizing and updating web content. At the heart of this movement are wikis, web sites that allow users to directly edit any web page with one click of the mouse. (The Hawaiian word for quick, WikiWiki, is the basis for the wiki name.)

Suggested Answers

Paper 1 SuggestionsRefer to the text for answers (dont rely on personal knowledge or experience)Copy, summarise or paraphrase information in the textIf copying, dont copy too much: only your FIRST answer (or section) will be markedPay attention to the number of marks2 marks usually means more than one piece of information1 mark MAY mean one piece of information or may mean that it is two closely linked pieces e.g. Q = Where did the writer find materials in English A = Record stores and second-hand book stores (1 mark)Make sure answers are grammatical

Paper 2 WritingPart 1: Task 1 Composition Writing

Part 2: Task 2A Correcting errors in a students compositionTask 2B Explaining errors in a students composition

Part 1: Task 1 Composition

Different text types to write (expository, narrative, descriptive etc.)Text input of about 200 wordsWord limit 400 wordsScales and descriptors used to judge quality of writing

Sample Part 1 PromptRead the following article about the problem of obesity in schools.

International spotlight on obesity in schoolsAmerican and Hong Kong educationalists and government officials are currently exchanging strategies on how to tackle the obesity problem and promote good nutrition among students [continues 150 200 words total]

Sample Part 1 Writing TaskTaskYour Principal has provided HK$2000 to run a campaign to promote healthy eating in your school. He is now asking for suggestions on how best to spend this money.

Write to the Principal outlining some of the problems with students eating habits and suggesting two ways of using the funds provided.

Write about 400 words.

Scale 1: Organisation and coherenceDesirable QualitiesUnity: each paragraph should deal with one topic onlyCoherence: the overall flow/development should be clearCohesion: use cohesive devices such as conjunctions, referencing and repetition of key words and phrases wisely - make sure that connectives arent overusedConciseness: do not write more than is necessary

Scale 2: Grammatical & lexical accuracy & range

AccuracySentence structureAgreementCollocationVariety (complexity, naturalness)Vocabulary and phrasingFixed expressions vs. clich

Scale 3: Task completion

Read the task instructions carefullyIdentify the specific areasPlan how you will address each for a balanced essay

Paper 2 Part 1 SuggestionsRead English texts e.g. opinion pieces in newspapersBecome familiar with the basic structure of different types of textsIncrease your vocabulary using a thesaurus & other toolsDont copy ideas from the prompt expand upon them

Paper 2 Part 2

Task 2A Detecting & Correcting Errors / Problems in a Student Composition Task 2B Explaining Errors / Problems

Sample Task 2A Correcting Errors(1) In last week my school introduce Eating for Health programme into my school. My parents is very happy about this(2) My brother much worser than I am especially when we visit McDonalds. He like better(1) Last week my school introduced

Now provide corrections for Items 2-11. Write them in the Answer Book.

Task 2A Suggested Answers(1) So I phone to my parents, but they were not in the house, I didnt know what was happening. CorrectionSo I phoned my parents,

(2) My brother much worser than I amCorrectionMy brother is much worse than I am

Writing Task 2B Sample Answers (1)Note: Text in white is suppliedItem 11: I remember (11) to feel very frightened The problem is with the (a) to infinitive (form of the verb) to feel. It should be replaced by feeling because the writer wishes to describe (b) an emotion , rather than an intended action

Sample Answers (2)Item 1: I still remember that night (1) it is very scarilyThere are two problems with this item. The first problem concerns the incorrect use of (a) the (main) verb is. The writer should have used (b) the simple past tense to indicate the correct time of the action.

The second problem concerns a wrong use of (c) the adverb scarily. The (d) adjective scary should be used instead.

Paper 2 Task 2A/2B Suggestions (1)This is an assessment for (potential) teachers of English, not of general EnglishTasks 2A and 2B, though related, are two separate tasks. Task 2A Correct only the underlined and numbered itemsTask 2BExplain only the errors/problems in items designated for explanation (roughly the second half of the items)Do not make unnecessary changes: work with the text in the essay, do not change the phrasing

Paper 2 2A/2B Suggestions (2)Revise basic grammatical terminology (metalanguage) Various systems are allowed Grammar bookeasy to use from a reputable publisherBe specific e.g. the type of pronoun / conditionalIf in doubt, put more detail Spelling is important but mistakes will be penalised only once

Paper 3 ListeningDuration: One hourPauses included throughout & 10 minutes at the end3 or 4 texts e.g. radio discussions, debates, monologues, podcasts/webcastsDifferent topics (not necessarily education related)Up to 4 speakers & hostNative speakers of English & non-native speakers Male & FemaleNormal speed for the type of discourseComplete answers as you listen

Sample Question Type 1 I.Changing the Educational SystemAccording to Martin, why is it necessary to reform senior secondary education at this time? (2 marks) (i) To be more in line with ____________________________________________

(ii) So that more students can ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Suggested Answers (1) I.Changing the Educational SystemAccording to Martin, why is it necessary to reform senior secondary education at this time? (2 marks) To be more in line with international standards So that more students can get the benefits of senior secondary schooling

NOTE If you give two answers, only your FIRST answer will be marked

Sample Question Type 2 Complete the summary below. Use NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer. (8 marks) David believes that the reforms are moving in the right (i) _______________ but he is unsure as to whether the new system will really be a (ii) _____________ alternative.

Suggested Answers (2) David believes that the reforms are moving in the right (i) direction but he is unsure as to whether the new system will really be a (ii) better alternative.

Sample Question Type 3 Complete the table below. Carol feels that there are two important features of the new system that will impact either positively or negatively on how students are assessed. (4 marks)Feature 1 Positive impact on assessment

Suggested Answers (3) Complete the table below. Carol feels that there are two important features of the new system that will impact either positively or negatively on how students are assessed. (2 marks)Feature 1 Positive impact on assessmentOnly one examStudents spend less time on exam practice

Paper 3 Suggestions Read upcoming questions carefully during pausesUse background knowledge (topics, context) Listen to spoken English, including a wide variety of genres, accents and speedsGrammar is ONLY important in the one word answer sectionConnie agrees Davids view Connie supports Davids view

Spelling is ONLY important for proper names, job titles & other fixed items, unless the meaning is changedTourist Management Tourism Management Board based education Broad based education

Paper 4 SpeakingPart 1 (individual)Task 1A Reading aloudTask 1B Recount

Part 2 Group Interaction

Assessment FormatPart 1Task 1A Reading Aloud (prose)

Task 1B Telling/Recounting/ Presenting (monologue) 10 minutes preparation 5 minutes performance

Part 2 Group Interaction Assessment Format

5 minutes to prepare 3 or 4 candidates in a groupTime limit 10 Minutes (3 candidates) 13 minutes (4 candidates)Discuss an education-related topic / situation E.g. planning something, deciding what to do about something, reflecting on the past, coming up with a policy

Scales and DescriptorsTask 1A Reading aloudScale 1.Pronunciation, stress and intonationScale 2.Reading aloud with meaning

Task 1B Recounting / PresentingScale 3.Grammatical & lexical accuracy / rangeScale 4.Organization and cohesion

Task 2 Group interactionScale 5.Interacting with peersScale 6.Discussing educational matters with peers

ReliabilityAll assessors are from HK tertiary institutionsTwo assessors per assessmentPre-assessment trainingDuring assessment - monitoring by Chief Examiner

RecordingYour performance will be recordedIf you agree to sit for the assessment, you agree to the recordingReasonsAppeals & complaintsAssessor training HKEAA modernisation

Recording Set-up

SuggestionsReading aloudRead phrase by phrase, not word by wordDont try to be too dramaticRecountingHow much can you do in 1 2 minutes?Two or three main pointsClear structureGroup discussionConversational styleDont try to dominateDont just ask questionsBuild upon what others have saidRefer to your actual (learning/teaching) experience if possible

Concluding RemarksLPATE is a test for teachers, not a general English testIt is possible to practice for itTreat it like a driving test, with certain skills to be demonstrated under controlled conditionsExaminers and oral assessors are well-trained experts who want a fair assessment

Good Luck!