A Breakdown of the CSEC English A SBA

A number of persons have reviewed the SBA outline that I have posted to this blog and they have also asked a number of questions based on the new CSEC English A SBA.

This post is my attempt to further breakdown/explain the CSEC English A SBA.

This information was gathered from a CSEC Webinar that was conducted in September. Click HERE to see the syllabus outline of the SBA.

THE SBA OUTLINE

Students will be in groups of 4 or 5.

FUNCTION OF THE GROUP

1. Students will assist each other by proof reading each others work
2. Have group discussions and brainstorm ideas
3. Assist each other in research
4. Write the written report together

NB: Group work is not optional. It is a part of the process of the SBA.

Students and/ or teachers can create a number of themes (drug abuse, violence against women, natural disasters, etc ). Themes can also be created by students based on their interests.

Each group will select a theme. Each student in the group will select a sub-theme based on the group theme.

Teachers can guide students to identify sub-themes through brainstorming the theme.

 For example:

The Main Theme: Drug Abuse

The Sub-Themes can be:

* drug abuse treatments
* the effects of drug abuse
* how drug abuse contributes to crime
* how drug abuse affects teenagers

RESEARCH

After sub-themes have been selected, students will now find their three (3) pieces of data/artefacts that further explains the theme. These pieces of data (artefacts) can come in the following formats: a document (articles, tables, pictures, audio (a recording), video, an interview etc). Student will select materials that is they can write a reflection on.

One of the three pieces must be print. Your audio can be placed on a CD or Flash Drive

Students should not do any interviews or questionnaires for this research. 

REFLECTION 

Students will then write their reflection of how the document/ artefact shaped their thinking about the sub-topic they are exploring.

Students will then examine how the language  helped them to further understand the sub-theme/topic.

Students will write THREE entries in which the student reflects on the issue/topic/ theme/ event selected should be completed in their portfolio.

The final piece of reflection should state how doing this SBA or Sub-theme helped the student to become a better person or improved his/her attitude. (This can be done at the end of the year.)

The entire group will have 12 pieces of data/artefacts in total. Students must use their own pieces of material. Students should not have the same reflections. Each reflection must be individual.

These reflections should be written in class.

STRUCTURE OF THE REFLECTION

PARAGRAPH 1

State how the data/artefact has inspired you, affected you, impacted on you, and what does it remind you of.

PARAGRAPH 2

Students will comment on the use of language. They will state if the language formal, informal, jargons, slangs, technical or distant tone. State how the language aid in your understanding of the sub-theme/topic.

PARAGRAPH 3

State how the sub-theme/topic helps you to become a better person , shape your attitude, etc. (This should be done at the end of the term.)

WRITTEN REPORT (300 words)

This is a report on the research process. This also states the outcome of the research.

You can answer these questions in your written report.

*What steps have you taken to get your work done?
*How did you collect the data?
*Are you happy with the pieces you have done?
*Are you happy working as a group?
*Did you learnt individually or as a group?
*Did you meet as a group?
*Do you think the group was effective working together?

This report should be written as a group.

ORAL PRESENTATION (3-5 minutes)

What you have decided to do as your contribution to your theme/sub- theme. Students can write a poem, drama piece, or prose piece. Students creative response after a brief overview of the research process.

A brief plan of the oral presentation must be submitted in the portfolio. This must be a part of the presentation.

This should be done in Standard English. Teachers will mark the presentation. The presentation must be recorded and place it on a CD or Flash Drive.

PLAN OF INVESTIGATION (100 words)

An introduction to the issue/topic/theme/event (A satisfactory response should be no more than 100 words).

(a) Why did you choose this issue/topic/theme/event?

(b) What are the expected benefits to you as a student of English?

(c) How do you intend to collect relevant information on your issue/topic/theme/event and use this in your presentation?



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CSEC ENGLISH A EXAM OUTLINE 2018-2025

FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATIONS: ENGLISH A

The English A examination is offered at the General Proficiency level.  The Assessment comprises three papers, Paper 01, Paper 02, and Paper 031 or Paper 032.

Papers 01 and 02 are assessed externally.

Paper 031 is the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and is assessed internally by the teacher and moderated by CXC.

Paper 032 is an Alternative to the SBA and is intended for candidates registered as private  candidates.
   

Paper 01:
The duration of the exam is 1 hr, 30 mins

It is worth 29% of the total assessment (This has been changed from 24%)

The paper contains 60 compulsory multiple choice items

Section 1 has 25 discreet items (This has been changed from 20)

The comprehension passages come in the form of examples from: (novels, short stories, biographies, diaries, letters); 

• one expository extract (encyclopaedia extract, reports, instructions, newspaper articles, texts of speeches, transcript of conversations); 

• one argumentative extract (for example, an advertisement, a speech or a letter to the editor); 

• one visual extract (for example, table, chart, form, diagram, map, cartoon, advertisement).

In Section 1, marks will be awarded for the ability to understand meaning conveyed through word choice, grammar, syntax, sentence structure, punctuation and paragraphing.  

Section 2 has 35 questions from comprehension passages (This has been changed from 40)

In Section 2, marks will be awarded for the ability to:  
(a) obtain information accurately; 
(b) grasp insights from reading literature; and 
(c) recognise and evaluate opinions expressed in various forms.   

1 mark is allotted per question
Total = 60 marks


Paper 02:
The duration of the exam is 2 hrs, 45 mins (This has been changed from 2 hrs, 30 mins)

It is worth 50% of the total assessment (This has been changed from 76%)

Section 1:

1 Question-   Summary (Compulsory Question) - [25 marks]
(This has been changed from 30 marks)

Marks will be awarded under Profile Dimension 1, as follows:  
 In Section One, marks will be awarded for the ability to:  

(a) use appropriate grammatical forms, and suitable punctuation and paragraphing to convey  meaning clearly and with facility;  


(b) communicate factual information clearly, concisely, and adequately in written instructions, reports and summaries in appropriate language.  

Section 2:

2 Questions- Exposition (Answer One Question)- [30 marks] 


This question will require candidates to respond to given stimulus material. The response may take the form of an email, letter, report, notice, or article. 

The question will change from year to year, but will focus on the skills of communicating factual information concisely.  

In Section Two, marks will be awarded for the candidate’s ability to:  

(a) communicate factual information clearly, concisely, and adequately in written instructions, reports and summaries in appropriate language;  


(b) obtain information accurately.  

Section 3:

2 Questions- short story, (Answer One Question)- [25 marks]
(This has been changed from 35 marks)


Section 4:
1 Question - Argumentative Essay, (Compulsory Question)- [25 marks] 
(This has been changed from 35 marks and two questions)

In Section Four, marks will be awarded for the ability to communicate personal opinion clearly and cogently in language which effectively persuades or dissuades. 

Total = 105 marks (This has been changed from 130 marks)



Marks will be awarded under Profile Dimension 2, as follows:    

In Section One and Two, marks will be awarded for the ability to:  

(a) use appropriate grammatical forms, and suitable punctuation and paragraphing to convey meaning clearly and with facility;  

(b) use appropriate language and communicate factual information clearly, concisely and adequately in writing letters, reports and summaries.   In Section Three, marks will be awarded for the ability to give aesthetic satisfaction to others in personal, creative and imaginative language. 


Details Based on The New English A SBA will be coming soon.