In a recent blog post, an education consultant highlighted the struggles that undergraduate students face when trying to prepare for the international English league tables, which measure the reading, writing, and speaking skills of native English speakers. The tasks within these sub-competencies can be challenging, requiring students to read a lengthy text and then write an analysis of it. This blog post will highlight the grading guidelines that are used for these tasks, particularly the writing sections of online practice.
The Importance of Accuracy
The consultant describes how the English league tables are “widely recognised as a reliable indicator of English performance, with the tables acting as a key tool for students and teachers alike in developing a personalised course.” The importance of achieving high levels of accuracy when writing these essays cannot be overstated. In 2016–17, a total of 73.5% of students globally scored below the satisfactory mark in English for University (SETC), with the lowest scores achieved in Ireland (20%), the UK (28%), and the United States (46%).
These poor results have led to considerable pressure for English speaking students, with some universities adjusting their admissions criteria to ensure that more students can achieve the satisfactory mark. According to a PIAAC report, students felt that writing was the section of English that “broke” them the most. Without careful planning and instruction, very little can be gained from a general course in grammar, punctuation, and writing, as scores in these areas will still be low even when the writing itself is flawless.
The Structure of The International English League Tables
The structure of the international English league tables is based on the Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English for University Students (CACEUS), which itself is modelled on the General Certificate of Education (GCE) and the European Baccalaureate. The CACEUS is one of several English-taught qualifications that can be acquired at postgraduate level. It is also the qualification taken by the majority of native English speakers who enter the workforce after their studies.
Each year, English is assessed via a four-stage process. First, each of the sub-competencies (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) is graded on a scale from 0 to 3. These are then summed to give an overall score out of 12, with a score of 6 or below considered unsatisfactory. The tables are not corrected for level or difficulty, so the same grade can be earned from an easy task or a lengthy read.
The following table shows the grading criteria that are used to mark the speaking section of the CACEUS (Stage 2):
Stage 2: Speaking (speaking, listening, and speaking skills)
0301 Read a chosen text carefully and precisely.
0302 Identify the main ideas in the text.
0303 Speak clearly and concisely.
0304 Use appropriate language and diction.
0305 Express yourself effectively in a lengthy conversation.
0306 Adapt your speaking to different audience and situations.
The Importance of Consistent Use Of The Essay Structure
One of the major changes made to the English sub-competency in the 2017 edition of the CACEUS is the introduction of the four-paragraph essay (or “four-point essay” for short). Although this structure has been around for some time in dissertations and the like, it is a relatively new addition to the English curriculum. Its aim is to improve the quality of student work while also making it more closely resemble a professional article. The structure can be compared to that of a research paper.
Essays fall into one of three formats: narrative, analytical, or argumentative. The consultant notes that, “given the variety of approaches that can be taken in an English essay, it is essential that students master a consistent method.” Inconsistent use of the essay structure is one of the main causes of essays being marked down. In addition to impeding the flow of ideas and diminishing the clarity of the text, inconsistent essay writing can also make an essay appear amateurish. Although the format may change from year to year, the general structure of the four-paragraph essay stays the same.
What Is The Purpose Of The Research Essay?
The purpose of the research essay is to provide the reader with essential information obtained through research. The data should either be new or supplementary to existing knowledge. In accordance with good scientific practice, the results of the research should be presented clearly and accurately. To achieve this, the student needs to be able to design and conduct experiments, collect data, and analyse the results using appropriate statistical methods.
The research essay is one component of the CACEUS that is graded on a scale from 1 to 3, with 1 meaning that the task is “adequately covered in the course material” and 3 meaning that it is “significantly beyond” what is covered in the course material. In most cases, a task that scores 2 or 3 will be marked as unsatisfactory.
What Is The Purpose Of The Analysis Essay?
An analysis essay is the more “traditional” of the three types of essays covered by the CACEUS. It aims to examine a piece of literature or media in detail and provide an in-depth analysis of one or more themes or topics. In-depth analysis can be carried out using a variety of methods, including literary analysis, media analysis, and research using a qualitative or quantitative approach.
The analysis essay is one of the three CACEUS components that is graded on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 meaning that the task is “adequately covered in the course material” and 3 meaning that it is “significantly beyond” what is covered in the course material. In most cases, a task that scores 2 or 3 will be marked as unsatisfactory.
What Is The Purpose Of The Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is one of the three components of the CACEUS that is graded on an ordinal scale from 1 to 3. On this scale, 1 meaning that the task is “adequately covered in the course material” and 3 meaning that it is “significantly beyond” what is covered in the course material. In most cases, a task that scores 2 or 3 will be marked as unsatisfactory.
As the name would suggest, an argumentative essay argues a position or makes a case for or against something. Like the other two types of essays, the argumentative essay is designed to provide the reader with important information obtained through research. The information should either be new or supplementary to existing knowledge. The aim is to examine an issue from all sides and present the reader with an informed opinion. The structure of an argumentative essay is typically one or two paragraphs, followed by a summary. In the UK, the regulator Ofqual requires that all of a university’s courses, including postgraduate courses, include a broad overview of the topic, an in-depth analysis, and synthesis of the key arguments. Students will thus need to be able to identify the important ideas in a piece of work and analyse them thoroughly.
The table below shows the various sections of the Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English and their approximate grades:
In most cases, the writing sections of the CACEUS are assessed through a three-step process. First, the student will read the task carefully and identify the key points. Then, the student will plan and draft an argument around these key issues. Finally, the student will review and edit the work before submitting it.
This three-step process is designed to mimic the process of academic writing. Therefore, much like the other two types of essays described above, well-planned and written analysis essays can also make for some excellent reading. In most cases, a task that scores 2 or 3 will be marked as unsatisfactory.