Unlocking the new English A SBA
WELCOME, STUDENTS. I do hope the information that I have been giving to you thus far about the SBA has been proving useful, and that you are working assiduously to complete all the tasks in a timely manner. Time management is key. This week I will complete my focus on the remaining sections of the portfolio.
INDICATORS OF GROUP ACTIVITY
The syllabus states that “a minimum of THREE pieces of material, for example, print, audio, visual media, must be collected and presented in the portfolio, and should address the issue/topic/theme/event selected. These pieces will form the basis for the process of enquiry and groupwork activities (cognitive, psychomotor, affective) in which students will become aware of and practise English language skills”. For this section of the portfolio, the teacher will pay attention to how well you worked as a group and note features such as communication, collaboration, leadership, reflection and interaction. Group work is not optional.
ORAL PRESENTATION
This is where you are given the opportunity to respond personally to the theme or topic that you have selected. For example, if your topic is ‘The effects of scamming on its victims’, then your presentation should effectively share these effects. It should be completed in three to five minutes. You are expected to present primarily in English using a genre of your choosing, such as drama, poetry, speech, exposition, role play or song. The syllabus also states that “the student should deliver a brief overview of the presentation including the genre chosen, the sources used and a comment on the kind of language used in the data”. A brief plan of the oral presentation must be submitted in the portfolio.
THE PLAN SHOULD:
Comment on the genre you have chosen. Explain the purpose of your presentation. State who or what impacted you. Give reasons for your selection of language.
The oral presentation requires you to be creative, confident and informative/persuasive.
As you finalise your presentation, seek feedback and practise often.
WRITTEN REPORT
A written report of the investigation should be a summary of the processes, procedures and outcomes of the research. It should include the material collected, reasons for selection, and analysis of the material. A satisfactory report should be about 250-300 words in total.
KEY TERMS
For processes, focus on describing how you collected your pieces, selected the most appropriate ones, and the difficulties you may have experienced in doing so. If a group member had no difficulties, give a reason for this.
For procedures, summarise how the group went about completing the research and analysing the material. For example, what was done to achieve the objectives of the research? How did the group decode/analyse the material?
For outcomes, focus on your experience as a group and your impressions. Also, strategically summarise the findings that the materials (artefacts) provided by way of individual and group analysis.
The written report is a collaborative effort, which means you have to meet as often as possible to share your ideas on what you wish to include in the report. It should show evidence of research and appropriate referencing.
Again, I do hope that the breakdown of the SBA will be useful. Remember, it serves as a guideline and is not prescriptive.
I will now focus on sharing common concerns that have arisen as a result of blunders that are too often present in some students’ work. I have shared a few already, but it really does not hurt to repeat them.
COMMON CONCERNS
You are urged to address them if you are guilty of any. These are: Inadequate use of appropriate punctuation marks: In some cases, students write entire paragraphs without one full stop in sight or they misuse the comma. This is a grave concern at this level and all efforts must be made to avoid them.
The failure to use paragraphs when writing stories, essays or letters: The blocked format is not acceptable when writing. Please indent from the margin at the start of each paragraph.
Poor sentence construction: In some cases, the ideas that a candidate intends to communicate are lost because of awkward sentence structures.
Inability to complete the exam in the allocated time: This is due largely to poor time management and the wrong approach in completing sections. It is usually better to complete the sections that value the most marks. For example, in Paper 02, when the time is up, ensure that you have written the story, essay and summary. Altogether, they are worth 100 marks. These sections should not be left incomplete.
The creation of summaries in which there is lifting, irrelevant information and surpassing of the word limit.
Stories read like reports and lack conflict, tension, as well as dynamic characters.
Essays that inadequately develop points and which are insufficiently supported by evidence.
The evidence of neglect in proofreading written work.
The use of the pronoun ‘I’ as a common letter.
The inclusion of ‘text speak’ in writing. For example, u for you, c for see, or 4 in place of for. This is not acceptable.
The use of the vernacular (Jamaican Creole) or slang in the extended pieces. Some examples of these are: The mother wanted him to make it in life. Some mothers run leave their children. The policeman run down the thief. Her daughter had no behaviour. The smell of the garbage made the people feel bad.
The vendor was mad when the man pitch over her goods.
Her daughter is full of pure attitude. While we embrace our local dialect as a rich
PART OF our culture, please be reminded that it is an English examination. Dialect must be limited to conversations between characters in your stories and, even then, it should be limited.
With your English A examination scheduled for May 2018, I believe you should use the time to address any area of concern that you may have. After all, success in English A is what you desire and intend to achieve. Work towards it!
VOCABULARY TOP-UP
Digress – depart from the main subject of a speech or writing Dilemma – problematic situation, predicament Diffident – lacking self-confidence, shy Disrepute – loss or lack of good reputation Until next week, take care!