Briefing Session for HKDSE
Category C
(Other Languages) Subjects
HKEAA
Cameron Smart
September 24 2015
Rundown
The exam: structure & constructs
2015 Results
Review of June & Nov. 2014 exams
Arrangements for 2016 and beyond
Teacher support provision
Q & A
2
Exam Structure
Component Weighting Time
1. Speaking 30% 20 mins.
2. Reading & Writing 50% 1 hr. 45 mins.
3. Essay 20% 1 hr. 30 mins.
3
Structure of Paper 1
Part Mark Allocation Time
1. Presentation 20 3 mins 30 seconds
2. Topic conversation 40 7 -8 minutes
3. General conversation 40 8-9 minutes
4
Paper 1: Speaking
Test constructs
What is being tested?
5
Section 1: Presentation (20 marks)
3 domains:
Content and presentation (10 maximum)
Pronunciation and intonation (5 maximum)
Language (5 maximum)
Section 1: Presentation (20 marks)
Content and presentation (10 maximum)
Coverage of topic
Organization and coherence
Opinions and facts
Delivery
Interest
N.B. If no specific reference to society or
cultural heritage of country where language
spoken- half marks for this domain, i.e. max.
is 5.
Section 1: Presentation (20 marks)
Pronunciation & intonation (5 maximum)
Accurate pronunciation and intonation
Mother tongue influence / comprehensibility
N.B. Not necessarily native speaker for full
marks. May have some hesitation and errors
for full marks.
Section 1: Presentation (20 marks)
Language (5 maximum)
Feel for language
Fluency
Accuracy
Use of relevant idiomatic language
Range of structures
Range of vocab
Ambiguity in meaning
Section 2 (40 marks)
5 domains
Comprehension & responsiveness (10 max)
Accuracy (10 max)
Feel for language (10 max)
Range of vocab & structures
(Providing info & opinion) (5 max)
Range of vocab & structures
(Seeking info & opinion) (5 max)
Section 2 (40 marks)
Comprehension & responsiveness (10 max)
Problems in understanding examiner
Naturalness in responses
Spontaneity and initiative
Ability to defend point of view
Section 2 (40 marks)
Accuracy (10 max)
Frequency of errors
Understanding of grammatical usage
Section 2 (40 marks)
Feel for language (10 max)
Naturalness
Fluency of expression
Appropriate idiom
Influence of or translation from mother tongue
Section 2 (40 marks)
Range of vocab & structures
(Providing info & opinion) (5 max)
Variety
Confidence in use vs. limiting expression
Section 3 (40 marks)
5 domains
Comprehension & responsiveness (10 max)
Accuracy (10 max)
Feel for language (10 max)
Range of vocab & structures
(Providing info & opinion) (5 max)
Range of vocab & structures
(Seeking info & opinion) (5 max)
Section 3 (40 marks)
Same as Section 2
Section 3 (40 marks)
5 domains
Comprehension & responsiveness (10 max)
Accuracy (10 max)
Feel for language (10 max)
Range of vocab & structures
(Providing info & opinion) (5 max)
Range of vocab & structures
(Seeking info & opinion) (5 max)
Structure of Paper 2
Passage Question Question type example Mark
allocation
Passage 1 1 Vocabulary: seeking synonym
in text
5
2 Grammatical manipulation 5
3 Comprehension questions 20 (15+5)
Passage 2 4 Comprehension questions 20 (15+5)
Passage
1 & 2
5 (a) Summary of details from
both texts
(b) Personal response
20 (10 +5+5)
18
Paper 2: Reading & Writing
Question 1 : Seeking a phrase: Do not to omit words or to include
extra words.
Question 2: Rewriting phrases: Answers should fit back into the
original text, retaining the same meaning.
Questions 3 and 4: Comprehension of texts. Answer in their own
words.
Direct copying of four or more words from the text will usually invalidate
an answer.
Question 5(a): Summary: Introduction, conclusions and vague
generalizations not required. Specific, relevant details attract marks.
Question 5(b): Personal response: Give a point of view and, if
possible, offer ideas which have not appeared in the texts.
Total of 140 words / 280 Japanese characters for both parts in
Question 5.
19
Structure of Paper 3
Essay Topic (2016) Word guide Mark Allocation
One of:
Young people; The
media; Education;
Technological
innovation;
Environment
250–400 words
(600–800 characters in
Japanese).
40 marks total:
24 marks: Quality of Language
16 marks: Content
20
Results 2015 examination
21
Results 2015 examination
(in number of candidates)
No. sat a b c d e u
French 59 12 7 13 9 8 10
German 12 4 1 4 2 1 0
Hindi 12 2 1 5 2 0 2
Japanese 199 93 49 26 11 9 11
Spanish 7 3 1 1 0 1 0
Urdu 15 4 3 1 1 1 5
22
Results 2015 examination
(in number of candidates)
No. sat a b c d e u
French 59 12 7 13 9 8 10
German 12 4 1 4 2 1 0
Hindi 12 2 1 5 2 0 2
Japanese 199 93 49 26 11 9 11
Spanish 7 3 1 1 0 1 0
Urdu 15 4 3 1 1 1 5
23
Results 2015 examination
(in percentages)
24
a b c d e u
French 20.30 11.90 22.00 15.30 13.60 16.90
German 33.30 8.40 33.30 16.70 8.30 0.00
Hindi 16.70 8.30 41.70 16.60 0.00 16.67
Japanese 46.70 24.70 13.00 5.50 4.60 5.50
Spanish 42.90 14.20 14.30 1.20 14.30 0.00
Urdu 26.70 20.00 6.60 6.70 6.67 33.40
Results 2015 examination
(in percentages)
25
a b c d e u
French 20.30 11.90 22.00 15.30 13.60 16.90
German 33.30 8.40 33.30 16.70 8.30 0.00
Hindi 16.70 8.30 41.70 16.60 0.00 16.67
Japanese 46.70 24.70 13.00 5.50 4.60 5.50
Spanish 42.90 14.20 14.30 1.20 14.30 0.00
Urdu 26.70 20.00 6.60 6.70 6.67 33.40
Results 2015 examination
26
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
a b c d e u
French
Results 2015 examination
27
Review of June & Nov. 2014 exam
28
Exam Components
Component Weighting Time
1. Speaking 30% 20 mins.
2. Reading & Writing 50% 1 hr. 45 mins.
3. Essay 20% 1 hr. 30 mins.
29
Key messages: Speaking
Interests of candidate should play a part in choice of
subject for the presentation
Clear reference should be made to the culture or
society of target language
Structure presentation to fit into the allowed 3
minutes 30 seconds
Express not only facts, but ideas and opinions
Focus on the questions asked of them and make
sure they answer what is asked
Candidates expected to ask questions in both
conversation sections.
Key points: French speaking
Candidates generally well prepared.
Candidates should prepare their Topic Presentation thoroughly
and choose topics which allow expression of ideas & opinions.
Be prepared to discuss topics at depth in both conversation
sections.
Pronunciation at the lower end of the range frequently made
candidates very hard to understand. Even in the top and middle
ranges pronunciation and intonation was rarely outstanding.
Candidates at the lower end had prepared factual accounts with
little scope for ideas and opinions.
All candidates made an attempt to develop the ideas of their
presentation in the topic conversation, though they were not in
general able to maintain the same level of language in Section 2
In order to improve, candidates need to hone their
comprehension skills and deepen their knowledge of topics in all
sections.
Key points: German speaking
Candidates all well prepared.
Candidates were aware of the requirement to ask questions of
the Examiner in both conversation sections.
Pronunciation was rather variable- mostly acceptable or even
good, but several candidates had difficulty in making themselves
clearly understood.
Some were able to maintain the same level of language in
Section 2 as in the Presentation.
In some cases candidates were reminded or prompted several
times. This can restrict the mark for responsiveness somewhat,
as spontaneity and natural interaction are then lacking.
In order to improve, candidates should have several general
questions ready to use in any circumstances, in addition to the
ones arising spontaneously from the conversations
Key points: Hindi speaking
The ability range of the candidates was wide.
Candidates often exceeded the allocated timing for the
Presentation. Candidates should practise timings for this part of
the test.
Candidates need to be prepared to discuss topics with reference
to the contemporary society or cultural heritage of a country
where Hindi is spoken.
Matters arising from the Presentation in the Topic Conversation
were often dealt with at a fairly basic level.
Only a minority of candidates remembered to ask the Examiner
at least one question in each of the conversation parts of the
test.
A few strong performances in which the conversation ranged
over complex and sophisticated matters. In general,
conversation remained at a limited level.
Key points: Japanese speaking
Majority of candidates had been well prepared for the
requirements of the examination.
Pronunciation was generally acceptable.
Candidates chose a variety of interesting and appropriate topic
areas
Candidates were not in general able to maintain the same level
of language in Section 2. Some candidates needed a broader
vocabulary to enable them to express their ideas and opinions
more fully.
Weaker candidates should be able to ask the Examiner to
repeat a question or to tell the Examiner that they have not
understood the question, so that they can move on to an
alternative line of discussion.
Not all candidates managed to provide extended responses to
questions asked by the examiner, which are needed to access
the highest marks. 34
Key points: Spanish speaking
Candidates well prepared for the requirements of the examination
Weaker candidates had difficulty in coping with unexpected questions.
Authentic intonation was sometimes lacking.
Could have been greater focus on the Hispanic perspective in
presentation
Introducing a topic about the Spanish-speaking world to someone who
is interested but who does not know much about it.
For Section 2, candidates could ask themselves, if they were someone
who did not know about the topic, what would they need to know, and
what questions might that person have? Which issues might be
controversial and how might they need to clarify or justify a personal
position?
For Section 3, candidates should remember to have relevant factual
information, provide suitable examples in support, and be prepared to
offer and justify an opinion and develop a point. Practice in asking
questions to seek information and obtain someone else’s opinion could
be a useful exercise. 35
Key points: Urdu speaking
Some candidates well prepared.
Choose a particular aspect of a topic of personal interest rather
than deal with a wide area.
Candidates were not aware of the requirement to ask questions
of the Examiner in Section 2 so no one could score marks for
this criterion.
Pronunciation was generally acceptable,
It is important for candidates to listen to the Examiner’s
questions attentively and respond appropriately.
The majority of candidates who scored higher marks in this
section were able to discuss a variety of topics.
36
Exam Components
Component Weighting Time
1. Speaking 30% 20 mins.
2. Reading & Writing 50% 1 hr. 45 mins.
3. Essay 20% 1 hr. 30 mins.
37
Paper 3: Essay – Key Points
Select the title with which they feel most comfortable.
Write a response that is clearly relevant, well illustrated,
coherently structured and well informed.
Use target language which is accurate and of a suitably
advanced nature, as well as demonstrate a good use of idiom
and appropriate topic-related vocabulary.
Use sentence patterns which show some evidence of
complexity in a style which is easy to follow.
Leave some time at the end of the examination to check for
avoidable language errors.
Stay within the prescribed word limits (250-400 words / 600 –
800 Japanese characters).
Do not to use transliterations of English words instead of the
appropriate vocabulary items in Hindi / Urdu.
38
Number of Candidates
(Nov 2015 series - for exam year 2016)
Subject Candidates
French 5
German 8
Hindi 0
Japanese 209
Spanish 2
Urdu 32
Total 256
Arrangements for 2016 HKDSE
2016 (Nov Series) (i.e. taken in October 2015) results to be released in
late Jan or early Feb as usual
2016 (June Series) (i.e. taken April/ May 2016) results to be released in
early August
June series will be considered by JUPAS for admission purposes
One-off special arrangement
40
Arrangements for 2017 HKDSE
and beyond
2017 (Nov Series) (i.e. taken in October 2016) results to be released in
late Jan or early Feb 2017 as usual
All candidates of all Cat C subjects recommended to take the Nov.
series exam, i.e. in October 2016.
2017 (June series) will be administered depending on demand.
41
Teaching support provision
42
Exam logistics:
Christine Lee: [email protected]
Exam administration:
Cameron Smart: [email protected]
43
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