[eal-bilingual] QCA considers new EAL GCSE

In Scotland the SQA has developed examinations for ESOL which fit in with our examination programme and will be benchmarked against the Common European Framework.  There are modules from Access 2 - (aimed at beginners) to Higher, which allows entrance to university. There is a good balance covering different types of English - Everyday Communication, Transactional to Work and Study.  It is agreed that mainstream English examinations do not assess learners proficiency since most of the focus is on literary analysis.  There are many examples of EAL pupils who achieve very good grades in all subjects except English. The alternatives IELTS and Cambridge First Certificate exist outwith the system so are very difficult for schools to access and are not related to what pupils are learning in mainstream.

  Janet Storey

cathyallen65 at aol.com wrote:
  I think the EAL GCSE offers a useful way for L2 students to show what they can do.    The language paper doesn't reflect what they can do, but more what they can't do.   If the exam is similar to the IGCSE ESL paper, then I think it's a good idea, especially for late entries.   We entered our Year 11's for both IGCSE and GCSE English language this year to compare results.         Cathy Allen

-----Original Message-----
From: Butcher Paul 

BCC: cathyallen65 at aol.com
Sent: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 1.17pm
Subject: RE: [eal-bilingual] QCA considers new EAL GCSE

The 14 -19 strategy offers a different way of looking at things, rather
han sticking with the current GCSE diet.
S4 newly-arrived EAL learners need a flexible and personalised
rogramme that leads them onto appropriate courses and qualifications at
6+.
AL qualifications at 14-16 need to match the programme they will
xpected to join at post-16

aul Butcher 

----Original Message-----
rom: eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
mailto:eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of helen
ucker
ent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:14 AM
o: eal-bilingual at lists.becta.org.uk
ubject: Re: [eal-bilingual] QCA considers new EAL GCSE
There are already qualifications for pupils studying English as a
oreign/second/other language - IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE. Employers might
eed educating in respect of what these qualifications mean, but that
houldn't be too difficult (should it?). By having a GCSE in EAL, are
e not just adding another qualification into the mix - for the sake of
aving a qualification?
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