Learning Outcomes

The candidate will:

Assessment Criteria

The candidate can:

• Be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning

1. Trace the main events of continuous descriptive and explanatory texts
2. Use different reading strategies to find and obtain information, e.g. skimming, scanning, detailed reading
3. Read an argument and identify the points of view
4. Infer meaning which is not explicit
   
5. Use organisational features and systems to locate text and information
6. Summarise information from extracts of a document

• Be able to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices

1. Produce a written  detailed  account, argument and/or position on a given topic
   
2. Produce text that is formatted, structured and laid out according to its purpose
   
3. Adapt style according to the intended audience
   
4. Produce a detailed letter
   
5. Link together ideas using connectives and discourse markers
   
6. Spell a wide range of words correctly and consistently
7. Use a range of forms of punctuation to clarify meaning within text

Indicative Content

1. Be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning

   The reading text will be 530 - 580 words. Texts may be fictional or factual. The types of subjects covered might include:

   • Examination of an argument
   • Topical news stories

   The candidate will be expected to write a summary of 50 –75 words summarising a text.

2. Be able to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled   use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices

   Candidates should be able to develop an argument which is logical and uses a higher register of language. Examples of questions that candidates might be expected to answer include:

   What are the advantages and disadvantages of ..........
   e.g    living in the computer age?
            living in a big city?

    Describe in detail .....
   e.g.   your idea of a perfect city.
           a tourist resort you are familiar with.

    Write an account of….
   e.g.  a day which started very badly but ended in great happiness.
           a very strange incident which cannot easily be explained.

    ‘................................’ Discuss.
   e.g. Mankind should not use animals for their own benefit. Discuss.
           Politics is a pointless activity. Discuss.

   Candidates will be expected to write a letter of approximately 150 words adopting either an informal or formal style as appropriate to the task. The tasks will be similar to the tasks outlined in the indicative content for Reading & Writing at Level 1 (B2); however the expectation is that the answer provided will be more detailed using more precise and complex grammar. Possible tasks might include:

   • asking for information
   • asking for advice
   • giving information
   • thanking
   • congratulating
   • complaining
   • inviting
   • refusing/accepting an invitation
   • apologising

   For example:

   A formal letter: Write a letter to the manager of a holiday hotel you have just stayed in, complaining about the lack of facilities for young people there.

   An informal letter:  Write a letter to a friend thanking him/her for the birthday present he/she sent you.

   There is no specific grammar and structures list for this level. The expectation is that candidates will have a wide understanding of grammar at this level and be able to manipulate language for a variety of purposes building on the structures learnt in previous levels.

Learning Outcomes

The candidate will:

Assessment Criteria

The candidate can:

Be able to understand with ease virtually everything heard

1. Identify the lexis of different types of text
   
2. Identify detailed information relevant to the task
   
3. Identify the main and secondary ideas
   
4. Follow the gist of narrative or conversation
   
5. Recognise the levels of formality
   
6. Recognise the attitude of the speaker
   
7. Recognise facts and opinions
8. Recognise different language is used for different genres

 Indicative Content

1. Be able to understand with ease virtually everything heard

   Candidate should be able to listen to standard text and identify the lexis and information relevant to a task in gap fill exercises; identify the gist, main and secondary ideas from a series of options; recognise the attitude of the speaker, level of formality and facts and opinions within the text from a series of options.

   Possible contexts:

   • Narrative texts, e.g. telling a story, account
   • Explanatory texts, e.g. explaining an argument or a position
   • Radio news extracts
   
   There is no specific grammar and structures list for this level. The expectation is that candidates will have a wide understanding of grammar at this level and be able to manipulate language for a variety of purposes building on the structures learnt in previous levels.

Learning Outcomes

The candidate will:

Assessment Criteria

The candidate can:

Be able to express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations

1. Speak quickly with appropriate rhythm
   
2. Select and use a range of structures, words and idiom for formal and less formal situations
   
3. Place stress correctly distinguishing between stressed and unstressed syllables
   
4. Use confident intonation and pronunciation
   
5. Use discourse markers and turn-taking techniques in conversation
   
6. Respond to a range of questions to include:
   • ‘wh’ questions
   • Yes/No questions
   • tag questions
   • implied questions
7. Formulate and respond to questions using the level of detail required

1. Reformulate written arguments orally in a structured and coherent way
   
2. Comment on written arguments orally
   
3. Respond to different viewpoints and defend a position

Indicative Content

1. Be able to express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations

   The candidate should be able to talk informally in discussions about themselves and others. They should be able to discuss contentious written statements, formulating an argument for or against the point that is being made, e.g. the environment: We should increase tax on petrol to try and reduce carbon emissions

2. Be able to summarise information from different written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts orally in a coherent presentation

   The candidate will be expected to explain the main points of a written article that they have read on a topical news story. They will then be required to discuss the points raised within the article in further depth.

   There is no specific grammar and structures list for this level. The expectation is that candidates will have a wide understanding of grammar at this level and be able to manipulate language for a variety of purposes building on the structures learnt in previous levels.