Suggestions for Improving Performance on
Foreign Language Credit Program Exam
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Know
what the assessors are
looking for:
The assessors are looking
for a level of writing that
can consistently and accurately
describe and narrate in the
past, present and future
using complete sentences
to form coherent paragraphs. The
assessors evaluate the writing
in six domains: task
completion, comprehensibility,
level of discourse (degree
of sophistication), vocabulary,
language control (grammar)
and mechanics (spelling and
punctuation). A sample
scoring rubric is available
online at http://www.fpcs.edu/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/creditexam/forms.htm
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To prepare for the exam
- If you speak your language but have not had many opportunities
to write it, you may have difficulty with the writing portion
of the exam. You may not know how to write and spell
words in your language, even if you know how to say them. To
improve this, practice writing paragraphs or stories in your
language by keeping a person journal. Be sure to divide
your thoughts into sentences and to use correct punctuation
at the end of each sentence. Ask someone who knows how
to write your language to go over what you have written in
your journal and to give you corrections and suggestions. Remember
that spelling does count!
- As you practice writing
in your language, also practice
using the rules of good composition. Organize
what you write into sentences
and then group sentences
on the same topic into paragraphs. Remember
that written compositions
are more organized and formal
than just writing what you
would say in a conversation
with a friend.
- Read magazines and newspapers
written in your language. You
will learn how to spell words
that you already know how
to say, and you can also
learn new vocabulary.
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When you take the exam
- Be sure to write at least three well-developed paragraphs. Your
writing sample needs to be long enough for the assessor to
determine your writing proficiency.
- Include a variety of ideas
and vocabulary, and do not
keep repeating the same thing
over and over. If you
write about only one or two
ideas, the vocabulary you
use may be too limited and
may not demonstrate the depth
of your knowledge. Show
what you know!
- When you write, remember
to divide your ideas into
sentences, and then group
your sentences into paragraphs. Sentences
that are very long and run
into one another without
a break are difficult to
read and understand. If
it is appropriate for your
language, capitalize the
first word of each sentence,
and end each sentence with
a period.
- After you finish the writing
portion of the exam, read
over what you have written
before handing in your exam. Make
sure that your handwriting
can be easily read, and check
over your spelling and punctuation.
If you have taken the Foreign Language Credit Program
exam just one time, you can retake it once more. The
exam will be given in November 2007. Information
about the exam will be available in September 2007
at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/forlang and
from your guidance counselor or ESOL teacher. |
