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Writer's Effect

Writer’s Effect – A Deep Dive into Marking Criteria

victortanws
 

As you know from reading this site, I place a huge importance on understanding marking criteria for all of my students, meaning all of you, and also the students who participate in my live classes.

But I care not because it’s something arbitrary; I care because Cambridge cares, and therefore so should you if you care about achieving an A* in the IGCSE First Language English examination.

With that in mind, today’s post will delve into one of the stickiest of all IGCSE First Language English questions, the writer’s effect question.

As you learned from some of the previous posts, writer’s effect is the most hated question of the entirety of EFL – it is always question 2D of paper 1, and it involves looking at text C of the insert and then answering a question based on two of the paragraphs by identifying three words or phrases in the text and justifying the overall effect that the writer aimed to create by explaining how these words or phrases are used.

Its objective is to help students assess students’ ability to analyze language and to comment on it in an intelligent way, thereby demonstrating that they understand how the word choices of a writer influences the effect upon a reader, and showcasing that they can read and appreciate the aforementioned effects, while at the same time justifying that they are what they are to an external reader.

Here’s a sample question.

Here’s the text you must read and reference to answer the question…

…And here’s the mark scheme for that question.

To achieve the maximum scores under the provided Cambridge IGCSE criteria for analyzing how writers achieve effects, students should aim for a comprehensive and nuanced response that demonstrates a deep understanding of the text.

This is often very difficult for students, especially if they don’t have an appreciation for how language isn’t a perfect measure of reality, but can be used in specific ways in order to create effects. Which is kind of a level of understanding over and above just one in which they write essays and craft plausible images. It requires an understanding of language, and how to reason carefully with it.

Now, here’s how to excel in each of the key areas outlined in the Level 5 criteria:

  1. Wide-Ranging Discussion: Analyze a broad range of language features from the text. Don’t just pick out random words or phrases; choose them judiciously, ensuring they are significant to the writer’s overall purpose and themes.
  2. High-Quality Comments: Your comments should add meaning and insight into the text. Go beyond stating what the text says; explore why the author chose certain words or phrases, what associations they bring, and how they contribute to the larger message or tone of the text.
  3. Tackling Imagery: Discuss the imagery with precision, which means not just identifying figures of speech but also exploring their connotations and how they contribute to the reader’s understanding and emotional response. Use your imagination to interpret imagery in a way that aligns with the text’s themes.
  4. Clear Evidence of Understanding Language: Show that you understand the mechanics of the language by explaining how specific language features like syntax, diction, and tone work to create a particular effect on the reader.

To distinguish a high-quality response from a lower-quality one, students should:

  • Avoid simple, literal explanations of the text. High-quality responses interpret the language in a way that shows an understanding of its deeper, more subtle effects.
  • Provide specific examples from the text to support every point made. General statements without textual evidence will not score highly.
  • Ensure that the analysis covers the text as a whole. Don’t focus too heavily on one section at the expense of others.
  • Be precise in the use of terminology. Know the difference between metaphor and simile, or alliteration and assonance, and apply these terms correctly.
  • Justify the effects identified by linking them back to the reader’s experience and the text’s themes. Explain why these effects are significant in the context of the text.

In essence, high-quality responses are characterized by their depth of analysis, the relevance and specificity of their examples, the sophistication of their commentary, and the ability to tie individual language features to the reader’s overall experience of the text.

These responses reflect a holistic understanding of the text and an ability to communicate this understanding effectively.

So yeah, that’s it. You know how the criteria work and why they are important, and you’ve seen them translated into actual advice.

I’m not saying that any of this will come naturally. Likely, it will come only after you’ve taken some time to reflect about the nature of language, to think critically about the words that you are reading, and to consider their effect upon you yourself, and also will involve your thinking about how what you personally say or write in any interaction will influence how others in turn will react.

That, and you can also purchase our handy Writer’s Effect sample responses here if you’d like to have a clear understanding of how to do well in that section of the paper by looking at some good examples.

In any case, none of these will be useful without practice, which itself will give you the gift of understanding. So, work hard, ~slay~ hard in the exam hall, and I can’t wait to watch you guys succeed!

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The Importance of Markschemes for First Language English Success.

victortanws
 

I. Introduction

As students embark on their journey to mastering the English language at an international level, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) First Language English exam is a critical milestone.

The exam provides a robust framework to assess learners’ ability to communicate effectively in English, as you know, but you may have been wondering: How is excellence defined? How do we understand it?

One of the keys to acing this exam and achieving a high score lies in understanding the mark schemes. This blog post will guide you through the importance of mark schemes, the documents that examiners use as they proceed through the assessment process each exam season, providing valuable insights to help you succeed in the exam.

II. Understanding the IGCSE First Language English exam

Understanding the structure and format of the IGCSE First Language English exam is an essential first step towards acing the test. The exam consists of various components, including reading passages, writing tasks, and in some cases, spoken language assessment, each having its unique grading criteria.

The primary role of this exam is to assess your language proficiency. It tests your ability to read, understand, and write responses to material from a variety of sources. It also examines your ability to employ a rich and varied vocabulary, correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and organize your ideas coherently.

Now, where do mark schemes fit into this picture? Mark schemes are the structured scoring guides provided by the examining body (whether CAIE, Pearson EdExcel, or otherwise). They detail how marks are distributed for each question or task in the exam. Understanding the mark scheme can shed light on what examiners are looking for in your responses. A thorough understanding of these mark schemes is not just a good-to-have, but an essential part of exam preparation.

III. Importance of Mark Schemes

A mark scheme is more than just an answer sheet; it is a detailed guide that breaks down how every mark in the exam is awarded. It provides the criteria that examiners use to grade students’ responses, ensuring a fair and uniform assessment. Every point you make, every argument you build, every sentence you form in the exam is examined and awarded marks based on these schemes regardless of what I or any other teacher tells you.

One of the major roles of mark schemes is to make the expectations of the exam clear. They offer an insight into the examiner’s mind, showcasing exactly what they are looking for in an answer. For instance, if a question asks you to analyse a text, the mark scheme will specify what aspects of the text you should focus on, how deeply you need to delve into it, and how your observations should be presented.

This is especially relevant for those of you who are targeting extremely high grades and shooting for an A*; there is a strong connection between mark schemes and grading. The marks allocated in the mark scheme directly determine the grade you receive. Hence, understanding the mark scheme can give you a clear idea of what you need to do to attain the grade you aspire to achieve.

In the context of IGCSE First Language English, mark schemes are particularly important due to the subjective nature of language assessment. Unlike subjects where there’s only one correct answer, in language exams, there are multiple ways to express an idea correctly. Mark schemes can guide students on how to structure their responses effectively and meet all the criteria needed for top marks.

IV. Using Mark Schemes for Exam Preparation

Mark schemes aren’t just meant for examiners; they are an extremely useful tool for students as well. They can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your exam preparation. 

Firstly, understanding how to read and interpret mark schemes is crucial. They are often split into different sections, each representing a different part of the question or task. Marks are allocated to these sections based on the skills or knowledge they test. For example, in a writing task, some marks might be dedicated to the quality of your language, some to the structure of your argument, and some to your use of supporting evidence.

Once you understand the mark scheme, you can use it to guide your study and preparation. You can focus on the areas that carry more marks and strategize your responses accordingly. It can also be beneficial to practice past exam papers and then use the mark schemes to self-assess your answers. This way, you will understand where you’re likely to gain and lose marks.

Another effective strategy is to use mark schemes to learn from your mistakes. If you lose marks in a particular area in a practice test, look at the mark scheme to understand what you missed. You can then focus on improving that aspect in your subsequent studies.

Consider mark schemes as a roadmap to success in the ICGSE First Language English exam. They are not just about ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. They are designed to reward depth of understanding, quality of analysis, and effectiveness of communication. By aligning your study strategy with the mark scheme, you can elevate your exam preparation to the next level.

V. Advantages of Using Mark Schemes

The use of mark schemes in your exam preparation comes with numerous advantages. These benefits can significantly boost your performance in the IGCSE First Language English exam.

  1. Improved Performance: By studying with the mark schemes, you will have a clear understanding of what the examiners are looking for in your responses. You’ll know precisely how to structure your answers and what points to cover, thus optimizing your responses for the maximum marks.
  2. Efficient Revision: Mark schemes can guide your revision process, helping you to prioritize and focus on areas that will yield the most marks. They essentially provide a blueprint of the exam’s scoring system, allowing you to spend more time on high-scoring sections.
  3. Reduced Exam Stress: Knowing what to expect in the exam can greatly reduce anxiety and stress. With a thorough understanding of the mark scheme, you will be better equipped to handle the exam with confidence.
  4. Better Time Management: Understanding how marks are allocated can also help you manage your time more effectively during the exam. You can allocate your time based on the number of marks a question carries, helping you to complete the exam within the given time frame.

To demonstrate these advantages, let’s consider a few success stories. Many top-performing students credit their success in the IGCSE First Language English exam to a thorough understanding of the mark schemes. They mention how aligning their study strategies with the mark scheme enabled them to score higher and achieve their academic goals.

By leveraging mark schemes in your exam preparation, you can make the most out of your study time, perform better in the exam, and ultimately achieve the grades you aspire to.

VI. Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

Despite the numerous advantages of using mark schemes, students often make some common errors while using them, which can impact their exam performance. Here, we will identify these common mistakes and provide solutions for avoiding them.

1. Misinterpreting the Mark Scheme: Many students misinterpret the criteria set out in the mark scheme, leading to misconceptions about what is required. It’s essential to understand that mark schemes specify what you should include in your answer for each question type. Remember, the mark scheme is not the answer, but the yardstick against which your answer is measured.

2. Over-reliance on the Mark Scheme: While the mark scheme is an excellent tool, it should not be the only study resource. It is meant to complement your textbook and class notes. Some students make the mistake of relying solely on the mark scheme and neglect other aspects of studying, like understanding the content, practicing writing skills, etc.

3. Ignoring Lower Mark Sections: In the quest to score high marks, students often focus only on sections with high marks and ignore sections that carry fewer marks. However, remember that every mark counts. Those “small” marks can make a significant difference in your overall grade.

Corrective Measures:

– Understand the Mark Scheme: Make sure you fully understand what the mark scheme is saying. If you are unsure, ask your teacher or a classmate for help.

– Balance Your Studies: Use the mark scheme as a guide, but not as your only resource. Continue to review your notes and textbooks and attend revision classes.

– Cover All Sections: Don’t neglect the lower mark sections. They can be an easy way to pick up extra marks and improve your overall grade.

Remember, the goal is to use the mark scheme effectively as part of a comprehensive and balanced approach to your exam preparation and to develop self-awareness and the ability to objectively evaluate your responses with mark schemes; you should not simply view them as a replacement for your critical thinking and judgment.

VII. Conclusion

Mark schemes are a vital, yet often overlooked, tool for achieving success in the IGCSE First Language English exam. They provide an invaluable insight into the mind of the examiner, revealing what is expected in responses and how marks are awarded. These schemes are not only helpful for examiners to maintain consistency in grading, but they are also a goldmine for students, guiding them in crafting high-quality responses that hit all the right notes.

Using mark schemes effectively can transform your exam preparation, making it more targeted and efficient. By understanding the allocation of marks, you can focus your efforts on areas that will yield the most rewards, thus improving your performance.

However, like any tool, mark schemes need to be used correctly. Avoiding common pitfalls like misinterpretation and over-reliance on the mark scheme is crucial. Keep in mind that these schemes are a guide, not a shortcut. They should supplement your comprehensive understanding of the subject, honed by diligent study and practice.

In conclusion, if you aspire to excel in the IGCSE First Language English exam, make mark schemes your ally. Understand them, use them, and learn from them. It’s time to take control of your success. Make the most of mark schemes, and see the difference they make in your grades. Remember, success is not just about hard work; it’s also about working smart. And using mark schemes is a smart strategy indeed.

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General English

Developing English Proficiency in Children: A Strategy For Parents

victortanws
 

Developing English proficiency in children is a journey that begins early on and continues through their growing years. While teachers and tutors may play a role and the quality of instruction that a child receives is key, the development of English proficiency is something that begins very much at home through the strategies and actions of parents.

I’d like to caveat that a bit – all of you know that no matter how good of an environment you provide for a child, the child still needs to work hard and study in order to do well.

That said, while it’s true that success in any endeavor (including learning English well!) is always the fruit of individual endeavor and rests on a student’s willpower and talent, I’ve seen the transformative power of strategic guidance combined with supportive parenting in catalyzing and sustaining interest in English, which in turn leads to significantly better outcomes… Yet, I’ve also seen parents struggle because they thought that enrolling their children in a specific school alone would suffice for helping their child learn English well.

With that in mind, here are some strategies to help foster a love for English in your child and guide them towards mastery at home, so that they will have the best chance of developing the strong mastery of the language that you wish for them to have as they move forward in this world.

Here’s a strategy guide that I hope will help – read on!

1. Develop a Love for English from an Early Age

The foundation of every learning journey is interest. Of course, children differ in their interests and talent for language, but it’s key to have them develop the desire to learn.

Do start cultivating an appreciation for English early on if you value it, by not only cultivating an environment where your child has access to many books, but also a space where reading is both enjoyable and desirable – not only a means of learning and getting good exam results, but also as a way of life within your family.

This could mean reading picture books together, watching educational shows in English, or introducing games that incorporate English words and phrases. Make it interactive, engaging, and fun. This early exposure creates a foundation that will aid your child’s future learning efforts greatly.

2. Set a culture that facilitates success.

Parents are the leaders of families – no question about that. They set the tone for the entire family unit, and in turn develop the culture for the family.

Is there a conducive learning environment?
Do your kids have the resources and guidance to succeed?
Do they have the initiative to succeed?

By creating a culture that values success, facilitates it, and helps to cultivate it by creating the necessary conditions for that success, on the shoulders of your child’s interest and confidence, you will set yourself up for a future where your child does not simply pursue success by your own direction, but out of their own force of will.

3. Ensure Consistency in Practice

Consistent practice is key to mastering any language. Therefore, one way to maximize the probability that your child will excel in English is to make English learning part of your child’s daily routine.

Provide access to interesting and unique resources, and provide entertainment options that correspond to English language media. Facilitate the process of development forward by creating opportunities to associate onward development with enjoyment in various ways.

Encourage them to write a diary, read a chapter from a book, or engage in English conversations at home.

Keeping English learning consistent helps your child see it as a part of their life, rather than a chore; even if the progress only takes place in minute amounts every day, daily progress will yield infinitely greater results at the end of the day than bursts of energy directed towards exam preparation, allowing development of a child’s English language skills in a stress free and enjoyable way.

If your child is preparing for an examination like the IGCSE First Language English, familiarize them with the examination pattern and question styles early on.

Regular practice tests will help them understand the format, reduce exam-related anxiety, and improve their performance. The more you understand what is coming up ahead and what assessments will take place at each stage of your child’s life, the better you will be prepared to ensure that they will do well and to take the actions to ensure that they can do so while minimizing the chance that they will become overly stressed out while preparing for examinations on account of becoming overwhelmed and therefore unable to commit the necessary mental focus towards learning.

Learning occurs cumulatively and slowly – true knowledge is analogous in form to a tree and not to a photocopied sheet of paper; in the same way that a tree cannot absorb the water of an entire river, so too can a child not absorb all the knowledge, skills, and understanding that you wish for them to acquire in the course of frenzied weeks of studying.

Therefore, plan for consistency – it will yield deep benefits down the line.


4. Develop English language mastery and good learning habits yourself.

It may seem a little strange that I would ask you to develop English language mastery yourself as a parent, but it’s tremendously important if you’d like your child to learn English well.

As a parent, one is naturally the person that a child communicates with the very most relative to any other person, and especially at an early age, you may be the single most influential person in terms of the way that your children see and understand the world; therefore, if you are able to demonstrate that mastery yourself, it will magnify your child’s efforts to learn English as they will have a good role model at home to guide them and to converse with them.

Naturally, you may not be able to spend all your time with your children as you may have work commitments, but rest assured – the extent to which you personally can master the language will correlate with the extent to which your children will be good at the language, as they will model your behaviors, your thoughts, and your own personal inclination for learning.

While this is not strictly necessary, I encourage you to dedicate yourself personally towards a journey of personal self-improvement, which will benefit you greatly along the course of the journey and in turn minimize the friction that your children will face when they are trying to learn English.

5. Adapt Your Teaching Methods

Children have diverse learning styles, and what works for one may not work for another.

If you are teaching your child personally, use a combination of teaching techniques – visual aids, educational games, role-playing, etc.

If your child is struggling with a concept, be patient and approach it from different perspectives until they understand while doing your best to make sure that they are enjoying themselves in the learning process and will have the motivation to continue forward in the learning journey!

If you choose to engage a tutor or enroll your child in a school…


6. Create a supportive environment.

Children have different levels of abilities, and it’s crucial both to recognize that and also to facilitate the process of trying to speak and learn English, which means creating an environment where children dare to try rather than shy away from opportunities to improve themselves because they fear being judged.

Having quality resources is tremendously important, but over and above that is creating situations whereby your child is willing to try, to fail, and to try again and to throw themselves forward to be judged by the world, and in so doing develop the confidence to use English no matter where they are.

By creating a supportive environment for your child, you will create the circumstances that are necessary for your child to make mistakes (and therefore to learn from mistakes!) and to proceed on a pathway of upward improvement that is constant and unwavering, rather than fear discouragement and judgment on the basis of negative experiences, thereby maximizing the probability that your child will continue to push forward and progressively improve.

That said, English language mastery is a small part of the picture overall. This is why it is good to…

7. Connect Learning with Real-World Applications

Children tend to engage more when they see practical applications of what they are learning, and see a deeper underlying purpose to it.

If you want your child to get an A in English and you see a specific reason for it (perhaps it will help them to get jobs that they otherwise might not have secured? Scholarships? University admissions? Allow them to see the world in different and important ways?), do contextualize it and visualize the benefits for them in ways that their hearts can accept so that they will choose to excel in the language of their own volition and not because you have forced them to.

There are many ways in which you can accomplish the process of catalyzing interest through the usage of real-world applications and discussions, and it doesn’t always have to be a heavy discussion or something deeply linked to the future.

Some suggestions: Watch an English movie and discuss its plot, characters, or watch a news broadcast and discuss the day’s events, checking if your child understood what happened. By doing so, you’re showing your child the relevance of English in everyday life and will gain many opportunities to use the language with your children, thereby enhancing the likelihood that they will cultivate strong English language skills early on.

8. Provide activities that will help catalyze your child’s interest in English.

Debate and various other competitions and activities provide a wonderful outlet for children to learn how to speak and use English on a vastly more proficient level through extracurricular involvements that can improve their profiles while at the same time improving their exposure to people who speak English as a first language and thereby increasing the number of opportunities for them to interact with others in the language.

Assiduously seek out these activities and help to expose your child to them – not all of them will stick, but some may; when they do, do encourage your child to continue pursuing these things as a means of developing a strong interest and also as a means of developing commitment and discipline; this effort will no doubt yield great and compounding effects in the future.

9. Provide Constructive Feedback

Providing feedback is an important part of the learning process. When reviewing your child’s work, remember to maintain a balance between appreciating their efforts and pointing out areas for improvement, avoiding criticism that is harsh or damaging, while at the same time maintaining a clear view of your child’s capabilities (which in turn also requires a mastery of English so that you can evaluate this well).

Constructive feedback will not only guide their learning but also help build their confidence, and will help sustain their motivation for the long learning journey to come and the many fruits that will arrive with it.

10. Keep Evolving Your Approach

Children grow and evolve, and so should your teaching methods. Whether it’s incorporating more digital content, using more advanced literature, engaging a new teacher, or involving them in activities that may help to develop their proficiency in different areas, be prepared to adjust your teaching approach according to your child’s changing needs and interests through the stages of their life.

Conclusion

Guiding your child to mastery in English requires patience, consistency, and adaptability. By creating a supportive learning environment, providing consistent practice, and making learning engaging, you can help your child develop not only an excellent command over English but also a lifelong love for the language. Remember, the ultimate goal isn’t just to help them achieve good grades but to nurture them into confident, curious learners and effective communicators.


Good luck in the journey!

With my best,
V.

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