Home / Ascentis / Anglia / Contact Us   

Examinations Overview - Unit Specifications - C1

Level 2 (C2) – Masters Level

Reading & Writing

Introduction
In this unit the candidate will develop their knowledge and understanding of the written forms of complex English in a variety of contexts. They will learn to use different reading strategies to select the information they require from a text. They will learn how to produce compelling and coherent written arguments that demonstrate a mastery of English grammar and vocabulary.

This unit is assessed through an external assessment paper.

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 and detail of a variety of texts
  2. Use different reading strategies to find and obtain detailed information, e.g. skimming, scanning, detailed reading
  3. Infer meaning and bias
  4. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of an idiom and vocabulary
  5. Summarise information from longer documents
  6. Evaluate written arguments
  • Be able to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices
  1. Plan and draft work
  2. Produce a detailed and persuasive written argument that explores a variety of viewpoints
  3. Develop points within a written argument to substantiate a case
  4. Demonstrate cohesion and coherence to create a fluent argument
  5. Manipulate a wide range of grammatical structures to add variety and interest to text
  6. Demonstrate a mastery of English spelling
  7. Demonstrate a mastery of punctuation

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 texts may cover a wide range of contemporary subjects at this level. It is likely to be journalistic in style.

    The candidate will be expected to write a summary of approximately 150 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 produce a coherent and substantiated argument on a given subject. The subject may not necessarily be familiar to them, but if this is the case, they should be able to draw on source materials to formulate their position. Their argument should follow a logical sequence which demonstrates evidence of planning and careful preparation.

    There is no specific grammar and structures list for this level. The expectation is that candidates will demonstrate a mastery of grammar at this level and be able to manipulate language according to the intended purpose, building on the structures learnt in previous levels.

Listening

Introduction
In this unit the candidate develops knowledge and understanding of the spoken forms of English in its more complex forms. They will learn to use their highly developed understanding of grammar and vocabulary to listen for gist, detail and shades of meaning in spoken English.

This unit is assessed through an external assessment paper.

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. Identify and select relevant information for a specific purpose
  2. Summarise the main and secondary points in a text
  3. Convey detailed information to others from a text
  4. Recognise the attitude and feelings of the speaker
  5. Recognise cultural references, idiom and irony
  6. Infer meaning and bias

 Indicative Content

 

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

    Candidates should be able to listen to a piece of spoken text, typically a radio announcement or news article, and extract relevant information for a specific purpose. They should be able to summarise this information in a coherent and cohesive way. They should be able recognise the attitude and feelings of the speaker, cultural references, idiom and irony in a series of gap fill and multi-choice exercises.

    There is no specific grammar and structures list for this level. The expectation is that candidates will demonstrate a mastery of grammar at this level and be able to manipulate language according to the intended purpose, building on the structures learnt in previous levels.

Speaking

Introduction
In this unit the learner is taught to communicate effectively in complex spoken English in a variety of contexts. They will learn to use judgement and perception to argue their points with confidence, speaking with near native fluency.

This unit is assessed through an oral examination.

Learning Outcomes

The candidate will:

Assessment Criteria

The candidate can:

Be able to express him/herself in spoken           language fluently and spontaneously      without much obvious searching for             expressions
  1. Speak fluently with a near native rhythm
  2. Use judgement, perception and sensitivity to select a diverse range of structures, words and idiom
  3. Use stress and intonation intuitively
  4. Use discourse markers and turn-taking techniques to stimulate and develop conversation
  5. Formulate and respond to a variety of detailed  questions 
Be able to use spoken language flexibly and effectively for a range of purposes
  1. Speculate about the future
  2. Evaluate and compare different viewpoints in a detailed and convincing way
  3. Defend and substantiate a position convincingly
  4. Summarize and explain detailed arguments

Indicative Content

  1. Be able to express him/herself in spoken language fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions

    The candidate should be able to talk informally in discussions about themselves and others. They should be able to discuss contentious abstract written statements, formulating an argument for or against the point that is being made, e.g. politics: Poverty is the greatest injustice of the 21st century. It is not acceptable that so many are so poor while others are so rich.

  2. Be able to use spoken language flexibly and effectively for a range of purposes

    The candidate will be expected to explain the main points of a written article on a topical news story, which examines different viewpoints. They will then be required to discuss in detail the points raised within the article.

    There is no specific grammar and structures list for this level. The expectation is that candidates will demonstrate a mastery of grammar at this level and be able to manipulate language according to the intended purpose, building on the structures learnt in previous levels