A2-B1 Writing
Tom.wogan@cambridge.org
Learning and Assessment Consultant
Andorra, Balearics and Catalonia
25 February 2023
Writing Tasks A2 Key (for schools) & B1 Preliminary (for schools)
Marking Criteria
Writing Criteria
Emails, Stories and Articles activities
2
Agenda
Writing Tasks A2 Key (fs) & B1 Preliminary (fs)
Writing an email or note
Write a short email or note of 25 words or more. 1 question. 15 marks.
Picture story
Write a short story of 35 words or more based on three picture prompts. 1 question. 15 marks.
Writing an email
Write an email of about 100 words. Answer the email and use the notes provided. 1 question. 20 marks.
Article or a Story
Write about 100 words. Choose one question from a choice of two. 20 marks.
3
A2 Key (fs) Email
4
A2 Key (fs) Story
5
B1 Preliminary (fs) Email
6
B1 Preliminary (fs) Article
7
B1 Preliminary (fs) Story
8
Marking Criteria A2 Key (fs)
9
10
Content
11
Organisation
12
Language
13
Marking Criteria B1 Preliminary (fs)
14
Communicative Achievement
15
What abilities do students have?
16
A2:
B1:
Writing: some thoughts
17
Writing is hard for A2 and B1 students because of …
… a lack of vocabulary
… limited gramatical knowledge
… poor spelling
… students’ readiness
… a lack of practice
… poor reading habits
Moses, R. and Mohamad, M. (2019)
Writing is …
18
COLLABORATIVE
‘’There is some evidence that collaborative learning approaches may benefit those with low prior attainment by providing opportunities for pupils to work with peers to articulate their thinking, share knowledge and skills and address misconceptions through peer support and discussion.’’
(Education Endowment Foundation)
Group, classroom activity
Process vs model approach
Point of need
Cheating
Writing is …
19
MULTI-SKILLED
‘In EFL contexts the learn-to-write and write-to-learn language approaches are not mutually exclusive.’
Bhowmik, S. (2021)
Extension
Productive vs receptive skills
Integrated learning
Writing is …
20
FUN
‘Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.’
Randy Pausch
Engagement and motivation
Personalisation
Real world
Emails
22
Emails
23
Emails
24
Emails
25
Stories
26
Stories
27
Short Films
Stories
28
Articles
29
Articles Text A
30
So, I laugh always and for nothing.
I find very funny when someone fall down and I laugh for bad jokes. I like to watch funnys videos to laugh.
I enjoy laughing with my family and my friend but I really enjoy laughing with my best friend.
I think it’s good to laugh a lot and have humour to have a funny and good. I find important laugh with our friends to be better and have a good life.
It’s for this I laugh for anything and I enjoy life like it is.
Articles Text A
31
So, I laugh always and for nothing.
I find very funny when someone fall down and I laugh for bad jokes. I like to watch funnys videos to laugh.
I enjoy laughing with my family and my friend but I really enjoy laughing with my best friend.
I think it’s good to laugh a lot and have humour to have a funny and good. I find important laugh with our friends to be better and have a good life.
It’s for this I laugh for anything and I enjoy life like it is.
Articles Text A
32
Organisation | Examiner’s comments |
3 | The text is connected and coherent. Paragraphs are used to separate the text into sections and, although these are often limited to one sentence, different ideas are expressed in each one, providing a structure to the text. Some basic linking words and the occasional cohesive device, such as a referencing pronoun, are used to connect the ideas, when; and; with my family and my friend but I really enjoy; It’s for this. |
Articles Text B
33
I love to watch comedies a lot because it makes me laugh. The comedy I love the most is the Chinese Running Man. I enjoy watching and laughing it with my family. In the show, famous actors and actresses must overcome some challenging quests, such as trading a coffee bean with someone else for something more expensive and racing in the mud to capture the flag. The storylines are very interesting and they always tickles my funny bone. Laughing out loud is great! Laughing can help us to release stress and make us feel better. It may also make us more attractive too!
Articles Text B
34
I love to watch comedies a lot because it makes me laugh. The comedy I love the most is the Chinese Running Man. I enjoy watching and laughing it with my family. In the show, famous actors and actresses must overcome some challenging quests, such as trading a coffee bean with someone else for something more expensive and racing in the mud to capture the flag. The storylines are very interesting and they always tickles my funny bone. Laughing out loud is great! Laughing can help us to release stress and make us feel better. It may also make us more attractive too!
Articles Text B
35
Organisation | Examiner’s comments |
5 | The text is generally well organised and coherent. There is a variety of linking words and some cohesive devices, particularly reference to avoid repetition, are used to connect the ideas across and within sentences, because it; The comedy I love the most; it; In the show; such as; someone else for something more expensive; storylines … and they. |
Articles
36
Articles
37
References
38
Marking Criteria A2 & B1
Writing Criteria
Moses, R. and Mohamad, M. (2019) Challenges Faced by Students and Teachers on Writing Skills in ESL Contexts: A Literature Review. Creative Education
Bhowmik, S. (2021) Writing Instruction in an EFL Context: Learning to Write or Writing to Learn: BELTA Journal
Emails
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/activities-for-learners/
http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/visible-thinking
Stories
https://eslkidsgames.com/esl-story-dice-online
https://view.genial.ly/5bba214002bce40c952422a2/interactive-content-story-cubes
https://www.canva.com/create/comic-strips/
Articles
39
Any questions?
Thank you
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