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English for Speakers of Other LanguagesHigher(C222 12)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Course outline

The Course consists of two Units, one mandatory Unit, English for Speakers of Other Languages: Everyday Communication, and one optional Unit, either English for Speakers of Other Languages: Work-related Contexts or English for Speakers of Other Languages: Study-related Contexts. All Units are available either as free-standing Units or as components of the Intermediate 2 Course.

DV34 12 - English for Speakers of Other Language: Everyday Communication

(Higher) 2 credits (80 hours)

This Unit is designed for candidates whose first language is not English but who need to be able to use English in broad personal and social contexts. While studying this Unit candidates will develop their level of communicative competence in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in English for personal and social purposes. The broad social context of this Unit is intended to support candidates who need to use English as the language of everyday communication.

DV35 12 - English for Speakers of Other Languages: Work-related Contexts

(Higher) 1 credit (40 hours)

This Unit is designed for candidates whose first language is not English but who need to be able to use English in a work context. It is intended for candidates who need English language skills to undertake work experience, or to prepare for employment. While studying this Unit candidates will develop their level of communicative competence in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in English for work purposes.

DV36 12- English for Speakers of Other Languages: Study-related Contexts

(Higher) 1 credit (40 hours)

This Unit is designed for candidates whose first language is not English but who need to be able to use English in the context of study. It is intended for candidates who need English language skills to study in the medium of English at further education colleges or higher education institutions. While studying this Unit, candidates will develop their level of communicative competence in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in English for the purpose of study.

While entry to the Course or Units is at the discretion of the centre, candidates would normally be expected to have attained the following or equivalent:

Intermediate 2 English for Speakers of Other Languages or its Units

Course assessment

To gain the award for the Course, the candidate must pass both component Units of the Course as well as the external assessment. External assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the Course award.

The Course assessment will be by means of a combination of internal assessment (externally verified) and external examination. The assessment will take the following form:

Internal assessment: Speaking

Conducted internally and audio-recorded for external verification. The speaking assessment is as described in the English for Speakers of Other Languages: Everyday Communication Unit, Outcome 1.

Duration: 8-10 minutes. 25marks

External Examination

Listening

The Listening section of the Question Paper will assess a candidate’s ability to identify context and purpose, gist, main points, supporting points of detail and attitude of the speaker. There will be three short, spoken texts which will be selected from a wide range of sources including monologues, interviews, conversations and discussions in both formal and informal contexts. 15-25 short answer or restricted response questions, covering all three texts, will be used.

Duration: 30 minutes. 25 marks

Break of 20 minutes

Reading

The Reading section of the Question Paper will assess a candidate’s ability to identify context and purpose, gist, main points, supporting points of detail and attitude of the writer. There will be two written texts. 15-25 short answer or restricted response questions, covering both texts, will be used. Text types will be selected from newspapers and a wide range of other sources. The two texts will have a combined total of approximately 1600 words and candidates will be advised to spend a maximum of 40 minutes on this part of the paper.

Duration: 40 minutes (recommended). 25 marks

Writing

The Writing section of the Question Paper contains three parts.

Part 1
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to identify and correct 10 errors in accuracy of spelling and grammar, in a short, general interest text of approximately 150 words. Candidates will be advised to spend a maximum of 10 minutes on this part of the paper.

Duration: 10 minutes (recommended). 5 marks

Part 2
In this part of the Question Paper, there will be one short writing task which will arise from the Everyday Communication aspect of the Course and may include formal or informal letter, e-mail, or article for school/college/community newsletter. Candidates will be expected to write approximately 140 words and will be advised to spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this part of the paper.

Duration: 30 minutes (recommended). 8 marks

Part 3
In this part of the Question Paper, there will be one extended writing task from a choice of two. One question will relate to Work and one question will relate to Study.

• Work task types will be selected from a report, information leaflet, e-mail, fax, memo or formal letter.
• Study task types will be selected from an essay or report in an academic style.

Candidates will be expected to write approximately 240 words and will be advised to spend a maximum of 50 minutes on this part of the paper.

Duration: 50 minutes (recommended). 12 marks