F2 Work in the F2 range will reveal some or all of the weaknesses noted under F1, but to a greater, perhaps extreme, extent. Almost complete failure to comprehend original; grammatical and lexical deficiencies entirely impede intelligibility. Oral Examinations The following elements are taken into account to assess a student’s performance: Performance of the task (30%), pronunciation/intonation (10%), fluency (10%), accuracy (10%), risk-taking and argumentation (20%), overall impression (20%). • The following descriptions relate to a non-native learner of the language. • The grade profiles are general and typical: a candidate may not fit all aspects of a profile to fall into that grade band and there may be elements that do not apply to every oral presentation. • The criteria set out below are applied in a manner appropriate to the year of the degree programme. I 70+ This grade indicates work of exceptional quality. A first-class oral performance will demonstrate some, though not necessarily all, of the following: • Excellent level of fluency and accuracy: the language is spoken with few mistakes in lexis, syntax, morphology and pronunciation • Rich, complex and idiomatic language, employing a wide range of appropriate lexis correctly; • Tone, register and style wholly suited to the setting and task • Confidence and ability to discuss a range of topics at an appropriate level of abstraction • Very high level of strategic competence • No comprehension difficulties in an interactive situation • Can respond very fluently to questions on the subject matter and engage effortlessly in dialogue with the examiners.
• Can only use limited and basic vocabulary and syntax. Extensive evidence of anglicisms. • Tone, register and style frequently not suited to the setting and task • Confidence and ability to discuss a range of topics only at a very low level of abstraction and with significant simplification • Little evidence of strategic competence in the L2 and, hence, tendency to revert to English • Frequent comprehension difficulties in an interactive situation • Where appropriate, can respond at only a basic level of fluency to questions on the subject matter and can only engage in a very limited way in dialogue with the examiners F1 30-39 This grade indicates insufficient evidence of serious academic study. The potential of the candidate to proceed to the next year is an important consideration in this grade • Very low level of fluency and accuracy, with very frequent mistakes in lexis, syntax, morphology and pronunciation, which can result in unintelligibility. • Cannot use even limited and basic vocabulary and syntax with any degree of accuracy. Extensive evidence of anglicisms. • Tone, register and style not suited to the setting and task • Lack of confidence and ability to discuss a range of topics at even the lowest level of abstraction and with significant simplification • No evidence of strategic competence in the L2 and, hence, frequent recourse to English • Significant comprehension difficulties • Responds inadequately to questions on the subject matter and cannot engage satisfactorily in dialogue with the examiners F2 0-29 Oral communication skills in the F2 range will reveal some or all of the weaknesses noted under F1, but to a greater, perhaps extreme, extent. • Fluency and accuracy lacking completely; mistakes in lexis, syntax, morphology and pronunciation render the speaker unintelligible • Cannot use even limited and basic vocabulary and syntax with any degree of accuracy. Extensive evidence of anglicisms. • Tone, register and style not suited to the setting and task
III 40-49 Work in this grade will demonstrate some limited though acceptable knowledge of the subject, but will be too simplistic or brief, or contain other major weaknesses. Language • Language lacks complexity; some basic knowledge of lexis but lacks variety and contains frequent and significant errors; • Tone and register frequently not suited to the task; • Frequent and serious grammatical errors, which impede comprehension and communication; • Limited ability to manipulate language resulting in simple ‘translated’ language which contains many anglicisms Content • Demonstrates some knowledge of the subject matter, but generally narrow, or superficial in frame of reference; • Fails to discuss many of the points raised by the question; • Some relevant points made, but not always supported by relevant evidence; tendency to unsupported assertions • Reliance on uncritical reproduction of lecture notes; no evidence of additional reading; • Limited ability to organise material • Structure lacks coherence and cohesion • Argument lacks rigour and clarity and is inconclusive; • Descriptive with limited ability to develop ideas • Guided writing: poor use of the stimulus material F1 30-39 This grade indicates insufficient evidence of serious academic study. The potential of the candidate to proceed to the next year is an important consideration in this grade. Language • Language is simplistic with very limited knowledge of lexis and very high level of error frequency in choice and use of very basic words; • Tone and register not suited to the task; • Very frequent and serious grammatical errors, which seriously impede comprehension and communication