European Baccalaureate Language 2 flashcards

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

Preliminary mark definition

The school-based component of the final Language 2 grade, aggregating s7 coursework marks and Pre-Baccalaureate examination results and transmitted to the central Baccalaureate services before the written session.

A mark versus B mark

In s7 Language 2, the A mark records oral participation and coursework, while the B mark records written work; both feed the preliminary mark through the school's assessment schedule.

Pre-Baccalaureate written paper

A full mock of the final written L2 examination, sat in the second semester of s7 under comparable conditions of time and dictionary use, and scored by the subject teachers.

Preliminary mark scale

The preliminary mark is expressed on the 0-100 Baccalaureate scale, while s7 term marks use the A/B scale; conversion follows harmonised school descriptors rather than a fixed formula.

A mark criteria

Oral criteria reward comprehension of spoken input, fluency, lexical range, grammatical accuracy, and interaction skills such as turn-taking, reacting, and negotiating meaning in the target language.

B mark criteria

Written criteria reward task achievement, organisation and coherence, lexical range, grammatical accuracy, and register suited to the task, such as formal letter, article, or argumentative essay.

Formative evidence in s7

Short written tasks, vocabulary and grammar checks, oral presentations, and comprehension exercises provide formative evidence; only marks formally recorded in the assessment schedule count toward the preliminary mark.

Internal moderation of preliminary marks

Before transmission, the language department compares classes taught by different teachers so that standards for the preliminary mark are consistent across sections of the same L2.

Weight of preliminary mark

The preliminary mark is one component of the final Baccalaureate result alongside the written and oral examinations; each component carries its own weighting and cannot simply be compensated.

Five written papers

The written L2 examination consists of five separate papers sat in one session, each marked independently before combination: comprehension, language-in-use, and production tasks.

Written paper composition

The five papers typically cover reading comprehension, listening comprehension, guided writing or reconstruction, an argumentative essay, and a language-in-use task such as grammar, transformation, or mediation.

Double correction defined

Two examiners mark each written paper independently; if their marks diverge beyond the set tolerance, a third examiner or the chief examiner adjudicates the final mark.

Anonymous correction

Scripts are identified by candidate number only; examiners do not know the candidate's identity or school, which supports impartiality across the double correction process.

Analytic marking grid

Written papers are scored against criteria specifying task achievement, organisation, lexical range, grammatical accuracy, and register, applied identically to every script by both examiners.

Dictionary rules in written L2

Printed dictionaries are permitted under Baccalaureate conditions; electronic dictionaries and translation devices are excluded, and time lost consulting a dictionary is not compensated.

Listening paper protocol

The recording is played a fixed number of times, usually twice with a pause between hearings; answers are written on the answer sheet and no replay is granted after the session.

Word limits in written papers

Responses substantially below the required length lose task-achievement marks, while responses substantially above it may be penalised for relevance and concision.

Script legibility and numbering

Because scripts are scanned and marked from copies, clear numbering and legible handwriting are essential; illegible or mis-numbered answers may receive no credit.

Written examination timing

Each of the five papers has a fixed allocation within the session; candidates manage their own time and overrunning one paper reduces time available for the others.

Three oral papers

The oral L2 examination comprises three tasks, typically listening comprehension, reading comprehension and commentary, and a spoken interaction or discussion with the examiners.

Oral preparation period

A short preparation period, commonly around fifteen minutes, allows the candidate to read the documents and take notes; notes may be used but are not themselves assessed.

Oral double correction

Two examiners score each candidate independently; where marks differ beyond the permitted tolerance, the chief examiner or a third examiner determines the final oral mark.

Oral assessment criteria

Criteria cover comprehension of documents, fluency and pronunciation, lexical and grammatical range and accuracy, argument structure, and interactive competence during the discussion phase.

Target language only

The oral is conducted entirely in the target language; switching to another language, including the candidate's first language, is not credited and may be penalised.

Follow-up questions

Examiners may probe comprehension and invite the candidate to develop or defend a position, expecting spontaneous response rather than recitation of prepared notes.

Fixed oral timing

Each oral paper has a set duration enforced by the examiners; exceeding the time on one paper does not extend the time available for the remaining papers.

Combining oral and written marks

Oral and written examination marks are combined with the preliminary mark under Baccalaureate weighting rules; the oral cannot be waived without documented justification.

Oral listening task

One oral paper requires the candidate to listen to an audio document and then demonstrate comprehension, often by summarising, identifying key points, or answering examiners' questions.

Oral reading commentary

A written document is read during preparation and then commented on: the candidate identifies its argument, tone, and register, and relates it to the topic under discussion.

Oral interaction task

In the discussion paper the candidate defends a position, responds to counter-arguments, and manages turn-taking, demonstrating interactive competence rather than monologue delivery.

Examiner tolerance rule

Baccalaureate regulations set a maximum permitted difference between the two examiners' marks; divergence beyond it triggers adjudication by a third examiner or chief examiner.