2aLanguage A2

2a.1Publications

The information given in this section of the handbook must be read in conjunction with the following publications for language A2.

May and November 2009 examination sessions
Title of publication	Date of issue
Language A2 guide	February 2002

2a.2Summary of latest arrival dates: May and November 2009 sessions

Action	To	Latest arrival date	Method/form
Submit written tasks with coversheets	Examiner	15 March 2009/ 15 September 2009	Candidate checklist 2/WTRF
Submit predicted grades and marks for internal assessment	IB Cardiff	10 April 2009/ 10 October 2009	IBIS
Submit internal assessment sample recordings	Moderator	20 April 2009/ 20 October 2009	Form 2/IA

2a.3Availability of languages A2

Lists of languages A2 offered by the IB can be found in section A8.3. The list of languages on offer will be reviewed periodically.

2a.4Written tasks

2a.4.1Language requirements

The written tasks must be written in the language A2 being studied. If referring to a text written in a language other than the language A2, the candidate must translate into the language A2 any quotations for inclusion in the task. If the candidate wishes, the original version of the quotation may be included as a footnote, but must not be included in the word count.

2a.4.2Retake candidates

Candidates retaking a language A2 may carry forward their mark for the written tasks from a previous examination session.

2a.4.3Teacher supervision

The written tasks must be the independent work of candidates. Although the teacher should not assign written tasks to candidates, he or she should help them choose sufficiently focused tasks. When choosing particular aspects of the course, consideration should be given to the content and style of the written tasks.

Candidates should define the purpose of their task and choose the type of text that best suits their objectives. Having established the purpose and the type of text, candidates should then consider the appropriate register and style.

The teacher may make general comments about the first draft of each task, but must neither mark nor write comments on the drafts themselves. After making general comments about the first draft, the teacher should not provide any further assistance.

If a candidate chooses not to complete a proposed task and to begin a new one, the teacher should provide guidance for the new task in the same manner as in the former one; the teacher should encourage the candidate to choose an appropriate type of text, and should make general comments on the first draft.

If there is doubt about the authenticity of a candidate’s work, the teacher should discuss with the candidate the content of each task. It should be made clear to candidates that they will be required to sign a declaration when submitting the written tasks to confirm that each task is their own work and is the final version of that work. In addition, candidates must be made aware that their teacher must also sign a declaration that to the best of his/her knowledge, the tasks are the authentic work of the candidate.

2a.4.4Procedures

A coversheet for the written tasks is available on IBIS in portable document format (PDF). A copy must be downloaded and copied in sufficient quantity for the following May/November session.

On a date determined by the teacher and coordinator, each candidate must complete the following documents:

Send these documents to the appropriate examiner indicated on the examiner notification, to arrive no later than 15 March/15 September. Retain a copy of all of these documents.

2a.5Internal assessment

The internal assessment of candidates’ oral work is a requirement for all languages A2. Thirty per cent of the total mark is allocated to internal assessment. This component for higher level and standard level consists of two oral activities: the individual oral and the interactive oral activity. The teacher assesses both activities. The individual oral and the interactive oral activity may take place at any time during the course. The IB uses the individual oral to moderate the marks awarded by the teacher for internal assessment. The mark for internal assessment submitted to IB Cardiff must be based on these two activities.

2a.5.1Use of descriptors and record forms during the course

In the Language A2 guide the IB publishes criteria for the assessment of candidates’ oral work. Levels of achievement with descriptors are given for each criterion. The descriptors for each criterion should be used to assess the performance of each candidate throughout the course. Use Form 2/RFA2 to record the interactive oral activities.

2a.5.2Final assessment

The final mark for the internal assessment must be submitted to IB Cardiff using IBIS.

How to calculate the final mark for the internal assessment

The internal assessment of candidates’ oral work by the teacher comprises 30% of the total mark for language A2. This internal assessment score is derived from two marks: the mark for the compulsory individual oral and the mark for one of the three mandatory interactive oral activities (normally the best one).

The final internal assessment score submitted to IB Cardiff via IBIS is the average (arithmetic mean) of the marks awarded for these two internal assessment activities (the compulsory individual oral and the selected interactive oral activity).

The teacher adds up the total marks for the two activities and then divides by two to obtain a final mark (between 0 and 30).

The teacher submits via IBIS the final mark for each candidate. The teacher must use whole numbers, not decimals, fractions or estimates. Any half marks should be rounded up.

Calculation:

Example A: Student X

	Criterion A	Criterion B	Criterion C
Individual oral	7	6	8
Interactive oral activity	8	9	8

Step 1:	Add up the total marks for each of the two internal assessment activities (30 max for each activity).
	Compulsory individual oral (30 max): 7 + 6 + 8 = 21 Selected interactive oral activity (30 max): 8 + 9 + 8 = 25
Step 2:	Add up the total marks of the two activities to obtain an aggregate mark out of 60. 21 + 25 = 46
Step 3:	Divide this mark out of 60 by 2 to obtain a final mark (between 0 and 30). 46 ÷ 2 = 23
Step 4:	Enter the final mark of 23 on IBIS.

Example B: Student Y

	Criterion A	Criterion B	Criterion C
Individual oral	7	7	8
Interactive oral activity	8	9	10

Step 1:	Add up the total marks for each of the two internal assessment activities (30 max for each activity).
	Compulsory individual oral (30 max): 7 + 7 + 8 = 22 Selected interactive oral activity (30 max): 8 + 9 + 10 = 27
Step 2:	Add up the total marks of the two activities to obtain an aggregate mark out of 60. 22 + 27 = 49
Step 3:	Divide this mark out of 60 by 2 to obtain a final mark (between 0 and 30). 49 ÷ 2 = 24.5 (round this up to the nearest whole number, 25)
Step 4:	Enter the final mark of 25 on IBIS.

2a.6Individual oral

To prepare for the audio recording of each candidate's individual oral, it is essential to read section H8 on audio recordings.

2a.6.1Format and length of the assessment

The individual oral is based on a text or extract studied as part of the language A2 course.

Format of assessment	Preparation time (minutes)	Assessment time (minutes)
Individual oral	20	15

2a.6.2Teacher preparation for the individual oral

The teacher is entirely responsible for the choice of extracts and guiding questions. Candidates are not allowed to choose the works/texts/topics on which they will be questioned.

The texts or extracts for the individual oral must be selected from at least two literary works or at least two topics from the cultural options. Students can be told in advance the two literary works or the two topics on which the individual oral will be based. However, they must not know the text or extract that will be used. For example, candidates can be told in advance that the individual oral will be based on the two works, 1984 and Of Mice and Men, but must not be told which extracts will be used. Similarly, if the individual oral is based on the cultural options, they can be told that the individual oral will be based on, for example, bilingualism and advertising. However, they must not be told which texts will be used (for instance, a particular article from The Guardian newspaper and a particular advertisement from Time magazine).

When assessing candidates on the same day, or within a short period of time, any repetition of texts must be at random to ensure variety and to ensure that candidates cannot determine the content of the assessment.

Number of candidates	Number of different extracts
1–5	1 per candidate
6–10	6
11–15	7
16–20	8
21–25	9
26–30	10

2a.6.3Conduct of the individual oral

The individual oral must be conducted in the language that is being assessed.

The recordings

Refer to section H8 for general advice on audio recordings. Although you are required to send only five, eight or ten samples to a moderator for the purpose of moderation, record all candidates: you may be asked to send additional samples at a later date.

Practical arrangements

Allocate a second room, close to the room where the assessment will take place, where candidates can prepare their material undisturbed. Make arrangements for the supervision of candidates in this preparation room.

Candidates may take only rough paper (provided by the school) into the preparation room. Any notes made during the preparation period may be taken into the examination room and used during the oral examination.

Before the candidate’s preparation period

During the preparation period

During the individual oral

2a.6.4Role of the teacher during the individual oral

2a.6.5Samples for moderation

The moderation of the internal assessment by the teacher is based on recordings of one activity: the individual oral. Samples of the interactive oral activity are not required.

The samples of the individual oral must be those identified by IBIS. Complete a Form 2/IA for each of the sample candidates.

Give to the coordinator, by any internal school deadlines:

2a.7Interactive oral activity

The guidelines for the interactive oral activity are different from those of the individual oral. All language A2 candidates are required to take part in a minimum of three oral activities that enable appropriate assessment of their listening and speaking skills. The mark for one of these interactive oral activities (normally the best one) will be included as 50% of the candidate’s internal assessment mark. Teachers should use the language A2 Form 2/RFA2. The purpose of this form is to keep a written record of the three assessed interactive oral activities for each candidate. The form should include the following information: