2014 Notes from the Marking Centre – Ukrainian Continuers
Introduction
This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 Ukrainian Continuers course. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2014 Higher School Certificate examination, indicating the quality of the responses and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.
This document should be read along with:
- the Ukrainian Continuers Stage 6 Syllabus
- the 2014 Higher School Certificate Ukrainian Continuers examination
- the marking guidelines
- Advice for students attempting HSC languages examinations and HSC Languages oral examinations – advice to students
- Advice for HSC students about examinations
- other support documents developed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW to assist in the teaching and learning of Ukrainian Continuers in Stage 6.
Oral examination
Section I – Conversation
Characteristics of better responses:
- candidates spoke fluently, confidently and spontaneously
- correct grammar, tenses and a variety of complex sentence structures were used
- language was manipulated to address the questions asked
- a range of vocabulary appropriate to the topic was used
- candidates spoke in the correct register
- candidates expressed an opinion and/or justified a point of view
- authentic intonation and pronunciation were used
- standard language of study was used.
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- simple, short sentences or single words were used
- repetitive and/or extended pauses were a feature
- grammatical errors were included
- candidates could not express an opinion or justify a point of view
- candidates included English words and expressions
- language was not manipulated to address the question.
Section II – Discussion
Characteristics of better responses:
- candidates had chosen a topic that allowed in-depth research and scope to propose and articulate a point of view
- the texts chosen to support the topic of discussion were appropriate and were used consistently to support their point of view
- processes involved in obtaining information were discussed
- a thorough understanding of the topic and the researched information was demonstrated
- at least three texts, one of which was a literary text, were included
- sophisticated language was used.
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- poor choice of topic that did not allow for in-depth discussion
- appropriate reference to texts was not made
- over-reliance on general knowledge, personal experience and/or superficial information
- an opinion or point of view was not expressed
- texts and research were not linked to the topic
- there was a lack of evidence of research.
Written examination
Section 1 – Listening and Responding
Part A
Characteristics of better responses:
- all required information was included and the questions were answered fully
- responses were supported with evidence from the text.
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- essential information was omitted.
Part B
Characteristics of better responses:
- a variety of expressions and idioms was used
- meaning was inferred from both the content of the text and the delivery of the speakers.
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- basic grammatical errors were made in Ukrainian
- candidates wrote in point form rather than in full sentences.
Section 2 – Reading and Responding
Part A
Characteristics of better responses:
- justifications were made by using evidence from the texts
- an accurate and full explanation of how the editor’s language reflected his perspective on the topic was given (Q.8 (b)).
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- the language used by the editor was not commented on (Q.8 (b)).
Part B
Characteristics of better responses:
- all the main points in the text were responded to
- idiomatic expressions were used correctly.
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- the response was not structured in a logical, sequential manner
- many grammatical errors were made.
Section 3 – Writing in Ukrainian
Characteristics of better responses:
- the correct text type was used
- writing was creative and authentic
- idiomatic language and appropriate vocabulary were used.
Characteristics of weaker responses:
- grammatical and spelling errors were made.