SACE Stage 2 Australian Languages - Additional Language flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Weight of school assessment

School assessment in SACE Stage 2 Australian Languages (Additional Language) contributes 70% to the final subject grade, with the external examination making up the remaining 30%.

Assessment Type 1: Folio

The Folio is a school assessment task worth 30% of the final grade. It includes a range of oral, written, and multimodal responses in the target language, demonstrating interaction and production skills.

Assessment Type 2: In-depth Study

The In-depth Study is a school assessment task worth 20% of the final grade. Students research a topic related to the target language culture and present findings in the target language, often in both written and oral forms.

Assessment Type 3: Interaction

The Interaction is a school assessment task worth 20% of the final grade. It involves an oral interaction (e.g., conversation or interview) in the target language, assessed for communication and language accuracy.

Performance standards criteria

School and external assessments are judged against three criteria: Communication, Knowledge and Application, and Language Accuracy. Each criterion has five levels of achievement from A to E.

Moderation of school assessment

Moderation ensures comparability of school-assessed grades across schools. Teachers retain evidence of student work, which may be externally moderated by the SACE Board.

Plagiarism and collusion

Plagiarism (using others' work without acknowledgment) and collusion (unauthorised collaboration) are prohibited. Students must sign a declaration that all work is their own.

Use of English in assessments

Students should use the target language predominantly in assessments. English is permitted only where explicitly allowed, such as in research notes for the In-depth Study.

External assessment weight

The external examination for SACE Stage 2 Australian Languages (Additional Language) is worth 30% of the final subject grade.

Exam section: Listening and Responding

This section assesses comprehension of spoken texts in the target language. Students respond to questions based on authentic listening materials, which may include multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response items.

Exam section: Reading and Responding

This section assesses comprehension of written texts in the target language. Students answer questions based on authentic reading materials, which may include multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response items.

Exam section: Writing

This section requires students to produce a coherent text in the target language, such as an article, letter, or report, of approximately 250–300 words, depending on the language.

Dictionaries in the exam

Bilingual or monolingual dictionaries may be permitted in the external examination. Students should confirm the specific rules for their language with their teacher or the SACE Board.

External marking criteria

The external examination is marked by external assessors using the same performance standards as school assessment, focusing on Communication and Language Accuracy.

Exam duration

The external examination typically lasts 2 hours, plus reading time. Students must manage time effectively across the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections.

Past exams and marking guidelines

The SACE Board provides past examinations and marking guidelines. These resources help students understand the format, expectations, and assessment criteria for the external examination.

Authentic texts in exam

The external examination uses authentic texts in the target language, such as articles, interviews, and reports, to assess students' comprehension and production skills in real-world contexts.

Communication criterion

The Communication criterion assesses how effectively students convey meaning in the target language, including the ability to interact, inform, and persuade in appropriate contexts.

Knowledge and Application criterion

This criterion assesses students' understanding and application of linguistic and cultural knowledge, including vocabulary, grammar, and sociocultural conventions in the target language.

Language Accuracy criterion

This criterion assesses the accuracy of students' use of the target language, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling, and how errors affect communication.

Evidence for moderation

Teachers must retain evidence of student work for moderation, such as recordings of oral interactions and written drafts, to verify the authenticity and quality of assessments.

In-depth Study presentation

The In-depth Study requires students to present findings in the target language, often in both written and oral forms, demonstrating research skills and cultural understanding.

Interaction assessment format

The Interaction assessment is an oral task, such as a conversation or interview, conducted in the target language. It is assessed for communication and language accuracy.

Folio contents

The Folio includes a range of oral, written, and multimodal responses in the target language, demonstrating interaction and production skills across different text types and contexts.

Exam reading time

The external examination includes reading time before the assessed sections. Students should use this time to familiarise themselves with the texts and questions.

Exam question types

The external examination may include multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response questions in the Listening and Reading sections, and a production task in the Writing section.

Writing text types

In the Writing section, students may be asked to produce an article, letter, report, or other text type in the target language, depending on the prompt.

Word count for Writing

The Writing section typically requires approximately 250–300 words in the target language, depending on the specific language and year.

External assessors

External assessors mark the examination. They are trained by the SACE Board to apply the performance standards consistently across all students.

School assessment declaration

Students must sign a declaration that all school assessment work is their own and that any sources used are acknowledged. This ensures authenticity.

Target language use

Students are expected to use the target language predominantly in both school and external assessments, except where English is explicitly permitted.

SACE Board resources

The SACE Board provides subject outlines, past examinations, and marking guidelines. These resources help students and teachers understand assessment requirements and expectations.