A Level Arabic Specification1
A Level Arabic Specification1
Arabic
Specification
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Arabic
(listening, reading and writing) (9AA0)
First teaching from September 2018
First certification from 2020 Issue 1
Contents
1 Introduction 2
Why choose the Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Arabic? 2
Supporting you in planning and implementing this qualification 3
Qualification at a glance 4
Inspiring and engaging themes – our qualification features familiar and popular themes,
as well as some new content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and
interesting aspects of the culture of the Arabic-speaking world.
Popular literary texts and films – we offer a choice of literary texts and films that includes
contemporary and more classic titles.
Clear and coherent structure – our qualification has a straightforward structure with four
engaging themes: اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ ;اﻟﻌﻤﻞ واﻟﻤﻮاطﻨﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ ;اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻔﻨﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ ;اﻟﺘﻐﯿﺮات ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﺠﺘﻤﻊ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ
اﻟﺴﯿﺎﺳﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ.
The four themes are studied alongside two works (either two literary texts or one literary
text and one film) and are assessed through three externally-examined papers.
Manageable content – we have worked closely with teachers and students to ensure that
our content is manageable and appropriate so that you and your students can be confident
that you have enough time to cover what you need to at the appropriate depth.
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Supporting you in planning and implementing
this qualification
Our Getting Started Guide, available on our website, gives you an overview of the new
A Level qualification to help you get to grips with the changes to content and assessment
and to help you understand what these changes mean for you and your students.
ResultsPlus
ResultsPlus provides the most detailed analysis available of your students’ exam
performance. It can help you identify the topics and skills where further learning would
benefit your students.
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Arabic (listening, reading and writing) – 3
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Qualification at a glance
Vocalisation
Vocalisation will be used in the questions and rubrics only where it is necessary for ease of
reading and to clarify meaning. Students are not expected to use vocalisation in their
writing; they may choose to do so if there is ambiguity, but misuse of vocalisation will not be
penalised.
80 marks
Content overview
Section A draws on vocabulary and structures from any one of the sub-themes within the
four themes listed on pages 8–9.
Section B draws on vocabulary and structures across all sub-themes from within the four
themes listed on pages 8–9.
Section C is based on independent research selected and carried out by the student. The
research must be based on one of the research subjects listed on pages 8–9. All aspects
of the chosen research subject must be studied. Students use information from their
research findings and from an unseen text to answer the question.
Assessment overview
During the examination, students are not permitted access to a dictionary or to any
documentation related to their research.
A reading assessment based on a variety of text types and genres. Students must
respond to a series of comprehension questions.
A reading and writing question based on an aspect of the student’s chosen research
subject. Students read a text and then answer a question, incorporating information and
ideas from both the text and their research findings.
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Paper 2: Translation into Arabic and written response to works
(*Paper code: 9AA0/02)
110 marks
Content overview
Section A draws on vocabulary and structures from any one of the sub-themes within the
four themes listed on pages 8–9.
Sections B and C draw on the study of two discrete Arabic works: either two literary texts
or one literary text and one film. The works must be taken from the list provided in
Appendix 1: Prescribed literary texts and films. The literary texts listed include novels and
short stories. All films are feature length.
Assessment overview
This paper includes a translation exercise and two essays on either two literary texts or
one literary text and one film (students must not answer questions on two films).
During the examination, students are not permitted access to a dictionary or to any
documentation relating to the works.
Students must write an extended response on either one or two of the literary texts listed
in Appendix 1: Prescribed literary texts and films.
Students select one question from a choice of two for each of their chosen literary text(s).
If a student answers questions on two literary texts, then they do not complete
Section C.
Students who answer only one question from a literary text in Section B must write an
extended response on one of the films listed in Appendix 1: Prescribed literary texts
and films.
Students select one question from a choice of two for their chosen film.
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Paper 3: Listening, reading and writing in Arabic (*Paper code: 9AA0/03)
60 marks
Content overview
Section A draws on vocabulary and structures across all sub-themes within the four
themes listed on pages 8–9.
Section B draws on vocabulary and structures from any one of the sub-themes within the
four themes listed on pages 8–9. There is one unseen listening source and one unseen
written source to which students must respond.
Assessment overview
This paper includes a listening comprehension and a question that assesses listening,
reading and writing skills together.
A listening assessment based on a recording that features male and female Arabic
speakers using standard spoken Arabic. Students will respond to comprehension questions
based on a variety of contexts and sources.
The listening audio files for the sample assessment materials are available on the
Pearson website.
Students summarise a listening source and a text that are based on the same sub-theme.
Students then evaluate the points of view in both sources, stating which views they agree
with and why.
*See Appendix 6: Codes for a description of this code and all other codes relevant to this
qualification.
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2 Subject content and assessment
information
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Themes, sub-themes and research subjects
Papers 1, 2 and 3 will be based on content from the following four themes.
The four themes address a range of content related to society past and present, as well as
aspects of the political and artistic culture of the Arabic-speaking world.
Themes 1 and 3 focus on aspects of society, while Theme 2 focuses on artistic culture and
Theme 4 on political culture.
Each theme is broken into two sub-themes and a research subject (highlighted in bold).
Each sub-theme and research subject is divided into a series of aspects.
Students are required to select only one research subject for Paper 1, which must be based
on one Arabic-speaking country only. An Arabic-speaking country is a country where Arabic
is an official language. For their research, students must cover all three aspects of the
research subject. Teachers should consider cultural sensitivities when giving guidance to
students on selecting an appropriate research subject and must ensure that they select a
country on which sufficient material for the research subject is available. See pages 12–13
for further guidance on independent research.
اﻷﺳﺮة اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ
.أدوار اﳉﻨﺴﲔ ﺿﻤﻦ اﻷﺳﺮة؛ دور اﻷﺳﺮة اﳌﻤﺘﺪة واﻷﻗﺮﺑﺎء؛ اﳌﻮﻗﻒ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰواج واﻟﻄﻼق
اﻹﻋﻼم
.ﺗﺄﺛﲑ اﻹﻋﻼم ﻋﻠﻰ اﺠﻤﻟﺘﻤﻊ اﻟﻌﺮﰊ؛ اﻟﺘﻜﻨﻮﻟﻮﺟﻴﺎ ووﺳﺎﺋﻞ اﻹﻋﻼم؛ ﺗﺄﺛﲑ وﺳﺎﺋﻞ اﻟﺘﻮاﺻﻞ اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺠﻤﻟﺘﻤﻊ واﻟﻌﻼﻗﺎت
ﻣﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺒﺤﺚ
اﻷﻋﺮاف اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻴﺔ ﻓﻲ إﺣﺪى اﻟﺪول اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ
.اﻷﻋﺮاف أﺻﻮل اﻷﻋﺮاف اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻴﺔ؛ أﳘﻴﺔ ﻫﺬﻩ اﻷﻋﺮاف ﻟﻠﻤﺠﺘﻤﻊ اﻟﻌﺮﰊ؛ ﺗﺄﺛﲑ اﳊﻴﺎة اﻟﻌﺼﺮﻳﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻫﺬﻩ
اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻔﻨﻴﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ:اﻟﻤﺤﻮر اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ
Theme 2 is set in the context of the Arabic-speaking world. This theme covers artistic culture
past and present. If the research subject is chosen from this theme, it must focus on one
Arabic-speaking country.
اﻟﻤﻮﺳﻴﻘﻰ
.أﻧﻮاع اﳌﻮﺳﻴﻘﻰ واﻷﻏﺎﱐ اﻟﺘﻘﻠﻴﺪﻳﺔ؛ اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﺸﻌﺒﻴﺔ واﳌﻮﺳﻴﻘﻴﺔ؛ دور اﳌﻮﺳﻴﻘﻰ واﻷﻏﻨﻴﺔ
ﻓﻦ ﻋﺮﺑﻲ،اﻷراﺑﻴﺴﻚ
.اﳌﻬﺎرات اﻟﻔﻨﻴﺔ واﳊﺮﻓﻴﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻴﻞ ﻵﺧﺮ؛ اﻟﺘﻐﲑات ﰲ ﻓﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﺎرة؛ اﳋﻂ اﻟﻌﺮﰊ
ﻣﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺒﺤﺚ
اﻻﺣﺘﻔﺎﻻت واﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎت ﻓﻲ إﺣﺪى اﻟﺪول اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ
.اﻻﺣﺘﻔﺎﻻت واﳌﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎت اﻟﺘﻘﻠﻴﺪﻳﺔ اﻟﻘﺎﺋﻤﺔ؛ ﲢﺪﻳﺚ اﻻﺣﺘﻔﺎﻻت واﳌﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎت اﻟﺘﻘﻠﻴﺪﻳﺔ؛ اﻟﺴﻴﺎﺣﺔ واﳌﻬﺮﺟﺎﻧﺎت واﳌﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎت
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اﻟﻤﺤﻮر اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺚ :اﻟﻌﻤﻞ واﻟﻤﻮاﻃﻨﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ
Theme 3 is set in the context of the Arabic-speaking world. This theme covers society past
and present. If the research subject is chosen from this theme, it must focus on one
Arabic-speaking country.
اﻟﺤﻴﺎة واﻟﻌﻤﻞ
اﳊﺮاك اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻲ؛ اﳌﻮﻗﻒ ﻣﻦ ﺗﻜﺎﻓﺆ اﻟﻔﺮص ﰲ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ؛ اﻟﺒﻄﺎﻟﺔ.
ﻣﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺒﺤﺚ
اﻟﺴﻴﺎﺣﺔ ﻓﻲ إﺣﺪى اﻟﺪول اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ
اﻟﺘﺄﺛﲑ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎد اﻟﺴﻴﺎﺣﻲ؛ ﺗﻜﺎﻟﻴﻒ وﻓﻮاﺋﺪ اﻟﺴﻴﺎﺣﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﻜﺎن اﶈﻠﻴﲔ؛ ﺗﺄﺛﲑ اﻟﺴﻴﺎﺣﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﱰاث اﻟﻮﻃﲏ واﻟﺒﻨﻴﺔ
اﻟﺘﺤﺘﻴﺔ.
اﻟﻬﻮﻳﺔ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ
اﻟﻘﻮﻣﻴﺔ وﺣﺮﻛﺎت اﻻﺳﺘﻘﻼل ﰲ اﻟﻘﺮن اﻟﻌﺸﺮﻳﻦ؛ اﻟﻔﻠﺴﻔﺔ اﻟﺴﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ وﻣﻌﺘﻘﺪات اﻟﻌﺮوﺑﺔ؛ ﻣﺪى اﻧﺘﺸﺎر اﻟﻌﺮوﺑﺔ اﻟﻴﻮم.
ﻣﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺒﺤﺚ
اﻷﻗﻠﻴﱠﺎت ِ
اﻟﻌﺮﻗﻴﺔ ﻓﻲ إﺣﺪى اﻟﺪول اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ
اﻟﺴﻴﺎق اﻟﺘﺎرﳜﻲ؛ ﻣﺪى اﻧﺪﻣﺎج اﻷﻗﻠﻴﺎت ﰲ اﺠﻤﻟﺘﻤﻊ؛ ﻣﺪى ﲤﺘﻊ اﻷﻗﻠﻴﺎت ﺑﺎﳌﺴﺎواة.
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Specification – Issue 1 – April 2018 © Pearson Education Limited 2018
Paper 1: Translation into English, reading
comprehension and writing (research question)
in Arabic
Content
Students will be assessed on their ability to translate accurately from Arabic into English,
their understanding of written Arabic from a variety of types of authentic texts, and their
knowledge and understanding of culture and society via research.
Texts vary in length and include an extended passage. All written materials are culturally
relevant to the Arabic-speaking world and are drawn from the four themes listed on
pages 8–9.
Although speaking skills are not directly assessed in the qualification, students should be
encouraged to develop their speaking skills in Arabic during the course of study.
The content of the translation will be taken from any one of the sub-themes within the four
themes.
Reading
The reading section will be made up of texts containing both factual and abstract content and
will be authentic or adapted from authentic sources. The texts will include contemporary,
historical, literary, fiction and non-fiction sources, written for different purposes and
audiences.
This section comprises an unseen text based on the research subject and a question related
to the text. Students must use their research findings, as well as information in the text, to
answer the question.
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Assessment information
● First assessment: May/June 2020.
● The total assessment time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Recommended timings for each
section are given below.
● The assessment is out of 80 marks.
● There are three sections in the paper. They cover the assessment of translation, reading,
and writing skills in Arabic, as well as knowledge and understanding of culture and society.
● Students must answer all questions in Section A and Section B, and one question on their
chosen research subject in Section C.
● During the examination, students are not permitted access to a dictionary or to any
documentation related to their research.
● For Section A (translation into English), 20 minutes (recommended timing), 20 marks:
o students are given one unseen text in Arabic and must translate it into English.
● For Section B (reading), 45 minutes (recommended timing), 20 marks:
o students are required to select only one research subject prior to the examination and
must base their research on one Arabic-speaking country only
o in the examination, for each research subject, students read one unseen text in Arabic
and then respond to a statement based on the research subject; they must use
information from the unseen text and their research findings in their response (as
students must research only one country, the unseen text will be general in nature and
equally relevant to any Arabic-speaking country)
o students are expected to critically analyse the statement and demonstrate knowledge
and understanding of the research subject. They do this by presenting ideas,
arguments and conclusions that are supported by relevant information, examples and
references from their research findings and from the unseen text. Students must use a
range of language accurately and focus on the question throughout their response
o students should write approximately 270–320 words in their answer.
● All questions in Sections B and C are set in Arabic and must be answered in Arabic.
Students are not expected to use vocalisation in their writing; they may choose to do so if
there is ambiguity but misuse of vocalisation will not be penalised.
The recommended timings have been set to enable students to complete each section in
sufficient time.
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Guidance on the independent research
For the purposes of the assessment, independent research means research carried out
without the help or instruction of others, including teachers.
The independent research must relate to the Arabic-speaking cultural and/or social context.
Students must base their research on all aspects of one of the prescribed research subjects
listed on pages 8 and 9. Students must base their response on one Arabic-speaking country
only. Correspondingly, their response in the examination must refer only to that country. If
students do refer to more than one country, they are likely to disadvantage themselves as
they will waste time writing content that will not gain them any marks. Students should,
therefore, be discouraged from doing this (see the mark grid Knowledge and understanding
of society and culture).
The independent research must not relate to or make reference to any of the literary works
or films studied for Paper 2. The independent research must:
● allow students to gather evidence independently from at least two authentic sources in the
assessed language. Authentic sources could include newspaper and magazine articles,
online written sources, journals, literary texts, films, television, radio, online audio-visual
material and interviews. The types of evidence that show knowledge and understanding of
society and culture (and research) are outlined in information relating to indicative content
on page 15
● enable students to contextualise and evaluate their findings independently.
The table below gives guidance on the process that could be followed.
Stage Description
It is recommended that students decide which research subject they wish to research as
early as possible in the academic year. However, learning hours for the independent research
are not specified because the process of information collation and investigation are
undertaken independently.
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Teachers can:
● give guidance on developing research skills (including methodology and analytical tools)
● give guidance on the content of the research subjects as outlined in this specification
Teachers must:
● explain what ‘independence’ means (see definition in Guidance on the independent
research on page 12)
● confirm that students’ research meets all the aspects of the research subject and has the
potential to meet the requirements of the assessment criteria
● ensure that students do not intend to use any of the literary works or films they studied
for Paper 2 in their research
● monitor the different research subjects being undertaken in a centre to ensure that
independence is being maintained. If more than one student chooses the same research
subject, the teacher must ensure that each student is working independently
● ensure that students focus their research on one Arabic-speaking country only.
Students must:
● initiate and conduct their own research and develop their research skills when
investigating their research subject.
If malpractice is found to have taken place, a penalty may be applied, dependent on the
circumstances and severity of the malpractice.
For full details on malpractice, please see the section entitled Malpractice and the JCQ
document Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments 2016–17.
Synoptic assessment
Synoptic assessment requires students to work across different parts of a qualification and to
show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area.
Synoptic assessment enables students to show their ability to combine their skills, knowledge
and understanding with breadth and depth of the subject.
Marking guidance
Marking guidance has been written to accompany the SAMs and is included with the SAMs
booklet. Please note that this guidance is for the use of the Pearson-appointed external
examiners. It is printed for reference in the specification to aid understanding of how the
assessment criteria will be applied.
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Marking guidance for Paper 1: Translation into English,
reading comprehension and writing (research question) in
Arabic
This marking guidance is for the use of Pearson-appointed external examiners. The guidance
has been included for reference to help teachers understand how the assessment criteria will
be applied.
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Knowledge and understanding of society and culture (AO4 – 20 marks)
This mark grid assesses the content of students’ answers in relation to the knowledge and
understanding of culture and society they have demonstrated, based on their research. It
also assesses their ability to critically analyse by sustaining a line of argument and drawing
conclusions about aspects of culture and society, based on the question related to the
research subject. Students must base their response on one Arabic-speaking country only
(see pages 8 and 9). If students refer to more than one country, examiners will mark
positively by awarding marks for content based on the country that will gain the highest
mark. If students do refer to more than one country in their response, they are likely to
disadvantage themselves, as they will waste time writing content that will gain them no
marks.
This grid assesses students’ understanding of the unseen text through their ability to use
relevant information from it to contribute to the ideas, arguments and conclusions presented
on society and culture.
The two mark grids for AO4 and AO2 are presented side by side. This is because of the
connection between the information that students are producing based on knowledge and
understanding of society and culture, and the information that they are using from the
unseen text to contribute to this.
Indicative content
● When deciding how to reward the answer for content, examiners will consult both of these
mark grids as well as the indicative content associated with each question. This can be
found in the document Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Arabic (listening, reading
and writing) Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs). Indicative content contains points that
students are likely to use to construct their answer. It is possible for an answer to be
constructed without mentioning some or all of these points, as long as students provide
alternative responses that fulfil the requirements of the question.
● The indicative content shows that students are expected to place more emphasis on
knowledge and understanding of society and culture (AO4) than on the text (understand
and respond in writing to written language – AO2). This emphasis is reflected in the
greater number of marks available for AO4 (20 marks) than for AO2 (10 marks).
● Students can demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of society and culture
(research) by providing relevant ideas/information/references/examples related to aspects
such as:
o lifestyle/customs/events both current and historical
o important figures both current and historical
o public opinion, feelings, reactions and behaviour.
This list is not exhaustive. These aspects are illustrated in the indicative content in the
document Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Arabic (listening, reading and writing)
Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs).
The recommended word count for the response is 270–320 words, but the whole response
will be marked regardless of length.
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Knowledge and understanding of Understand and respond to written
society and culture (AO4) language (AO2)
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Knowledge and understanding of Understand and respond to written
society and culture (AO4) language (AO2)
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Knowledge and understanding of Understand and respond to written
society and culture (AO4) language (AO2)
Additional guidance
Straightforward ideas, arguments, conclusions are deemed to be those that give the
standard, predictable response.
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Accuracy and range of language mark grid (AO3)
This mark grid assesses students’ ability to use a range of grammatical structures and
vocabulary accurately to produce articulate communication with a range of expression.
Marks Description
0 No rewardable language
5–6 ● Some variation in the use of grammatical structures and vocabulary, some
recurrent examples of complex language; variation of expression but this is
not sustained; sections of articulate writing with occasionally stilted phrasing.
● Frequent sequences of accurate language, resulting in generally coherent
writing; errors occur that occasionally hinder clarity of communication.
Additional guidance
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Variation in use of grammatical structures/varied use of vocabulary: the traits in the
mark grid differentiate between the variation of grammatical structures and vocabulary used
by students. Examiners should judge in which mark band to place students and which mark
to award, based on the effect that the variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary has
on the quality of the communication; the wider the variety, the more articulate the
communication will become (see definition of articulate below).
Errors: students are not expected to produce perfect, error-free writing in order to access
the top band. The mark grid describes the frequency of errors and the impact that errors
have on clarity.
NB: these are provided as examples only and do not constitute a finite list.
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Paper 2: Translation into Arabic and written response
to works
Content
Students should be able to:
● manipulate language accurately through translating an unseen passage from English into
Arabic
● develop a detailed understanding and appreciation of the works studied, by writing critical
and analytical responses in the language of study to the works, taken from the prescribed
list provided (see Appendix 1: Prescribed literary texts and films)
● produce responses that relate to features such as the form and the technique of
presentation; key themes, concepts and issues; characterisation; structure of the plot;
and the social and cultural setting
● present viewpoints, develop arguments, persuade, analyse and evaluate.
Although speaking skills are not directly assessed in this qualification, students should be
encouraged to develop their speaking skills in Arabic during the course of study.
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Assessment information
● First assessment: May/June 2020.
● The total assessment time is 2 hours and 40 minutes. Recommended timings for each
section are given below.
● The assessment is out of 110 marks.
● There are three sections to this paper, Section A (translation into Arabic), Section B and
Section C (written response to works).
● For Section A (translation into Arabic), 30 minutes (recommended timing), 20 marks:
o students are given one unseen text in English and must translate it into Arabic.
● For Sections B and C (written response to works), 2 hours and 10 minutes, 90 marks:
o students must write two essays selected from Section B (literary texts) or one selected
from Section B (literary texts) and one from Section C (films)
o there will be a choice of two questions for each literary text and film. As a guide, we
advise students to write approximately 270–320 words for each essay in order to give a
detailed analysis of the works, although the whole essay will be marked regardless of
length
o students should justify points of view, arguments and conclusions with evidence from
the work
o students are expected to provide a critical and analytical response by selecting relevant
material from the works, presenting and justifying points of view, developing
arguments, drawing conclusions based on understanding, and evaluating different
aspects of the works studied
o no credit will be given for essays on literary texts that are based on film versions
adapted from the literary texts. Evidence given in the essay to justify viewpoints and
arguments must be based on the original literary text.
● All questions will be set in Arabic and must be answered in Arabic. Students are not
expected to use vocalisation in their writing, they may choose to do so if there is
ambiguity, but misuse of vocalisation will not be penalised.
● The use of dictionaries is not permitted.
● Students must not take any documentation relating to the works into the examination.
● The recommended timings have been given to enable students to complete each section in
sufficient time.
Marking guidance
Marking guidance has been written to accompany the SAMs and is included with the SAMs
booklet. Please note that this guidance is for the use of the Pearson-appointed external
examiners. It is included here for reference to help teachers understand how the assessment
criteria will be applied.
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Marking guidance for Paper 2: Translation into Arabic and
written response to works
This marking guidance is for the use of Pearson-appointed external examiners. The guidance
has been included for reference to help teachers understand how the assessment criteria will
be applied.
For example, if the response is predominantly band 5–8 with a small amount of band 9–12
material, it would be placed in band 5–8 but be awarded a mark near the top of the band
because of the band 9–12 content.
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Sections B and C – Questions 2 to 7 (written response to works)
Marks Description
0 No rewardable material.
5–8 ● Response relates to the work but often loses focus on the question.
● Points of view relating to issues/themes/cultural or social contexts are
presented, with attempts made at interpretation, but they occasionally show
misunderstanding or confusion; evidence selected from the work for
justification is occasionally appropriate but often descriptive.
● Arguments are made but with inconsistencies; conclusions are drawn but do
not fully link to arguments.
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Marks Description
17–20 ● Critical analysis of issues/themes/cultural or social contexts is demonstrated
through convincing interpretations and points of view, consistently justified
with appropriately selected evidence from the work.
● Detailed, logical arguments and conclusions are made that consistently link
together.
● Relevant response to the question throughout.
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Range of grammatical structures and vocabulary (AO3)
● This mark grid assesses students’ ability to use a range of grammatical structures and
vocabulary in order to produce articulate written communication with a range of
expression.
● This grid will be applied twice, once for each essay individually.
Marks Description
0 No rewardable language.
7–9 ● Some variation in the use of grammatical structures, including some recurrent
examples of complex language; sections of articulate writing with occasionally
stilted phrasing.
● Some variation in use of vocabulary, resulting in variation of expression but this
is not sustained.
● Some use of terminology appropriate for literary and cinematic analysis.
Additional guidance
Variation of vocabulary and grammatical structures: the traits in the mark grid
differentiate between the variation of grammatical structures and vocabulary used by
students. Examiners will judge in which mark band to place students and which mark to
award, based on the effect that the variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary has on
the quality of the communication; the wider the variety, the more articulate the
communication will become (see definition of articulate below).
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Articulate: articulate communication is fluent, effective and coherent as students
control/manipulate the language to say what they want to say rather than what they can
say, for a number of different purposes. If students are restricted to what they can say, they
may not be able to express themselves for all purposes, for example to develop arguments.
Terminology for literary and cinematic analysis: vocabulary for critical analysis
according to the work being studied, for example ‘plot’, ‘character’; figures of speech such as
‘metaphor’, ‘similes’; to describe theme and style such as ‘camera technique’, ‘hand-held
camera’, ‘use of black and white’, ‘first person narrative’.
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Accuracy of language (AO3)
● This mark grid assesses students’ ability to apply grammar and syntax accurately.
● This grid will be applied twice, once for each essay individually.
Marks Description
0 No rewardable language.
Additional guidance
Errors: students are not expected to produce perfect, error-free writing in order to access the
top band. The mark grid describes the frequency of errors and the impact that errors have
on clarity.
● errors that make it unclear who is carrying out the action, for example using the incorrect
person of the verb
● mother-tongue interference.
NB: these are provided as examples only and do not constitute a finite list.
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Paper 3: Listening, reading and writing in Arabic
Content
Students will be assessed on their understanding of standard spoken Arabic from a variety of
authentic listening sources, as well as on their ability to summarise and evaluate viewpoints
in spoken and written material.
Recordings vary in length and include an extended passage. All spoken and written materials
are culturally relevant to the Arabic-speaking world and for Section A are drawn from across
the four themes (listed on pages 8–9). Materials for Section B will be drawn from any one of
the sub-themes from the four themes.
● summarise information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject
matter in writing
● identify main ideas, and summarise different points of view, drawn from spoken and
written sources
● evaluate points of view and draw conclusions in writing
● apply listening, reading and writing skills in combination.
Although speaking skills are not directly assessed in the qualification, students should be
encouraged to develop their speaking skills in Arabic during the course of study.
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Assessment information
● First assessment: May/June 2020.
● The total assessment time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Recommended timings for each
section are given below.
● The assessment is out of 60 marks.
● There are two sections in the paper. They cover the assessment of listening, reading and
writing skills in Arabic.
● Students must answer all questions in both sections (A and B).
● The use of dictionaries is not permitted.
o there are four questions in this section made up of multiple-choice and open-response
questions, including questions testing summary skills
o students will listen to a recording featuring Arabic-language speakers who will speak at
a speed appropriate for the expected understanding at this level
o recordings will be issued as a CD or in MP3 audio format. The MP3 sound files must be
accessed via a secure download from the Pearson website; the listening audio files are
also available on the website
o students will have individual control of the recording and may stop, revisit and replay
sections of the recording as they wish.
● For Section B (listening, reading and writing question), 1 hour and 30 minutes
(recommended timing), 30 marks:
o students listen to a recording and read a written text
o students summarise the different points of view in both sources
o students answer a question in writing that requires them to evaluate the viewpoints in
the recording and the text and draw conclusions
o the question is an open-response question
o students should write approximately 180–230 words for their response to
Question 5(c).
● All questions in Sections A and B are set in Arabic and must be answered in Arabic.
Students are not expected to use vocalisation in their writing; they may choose to do so if
there is ambiguity but misuse of vocalisation will not be penalised.
Recommended timings have been given for each section to enable students to complete each
one in sufficient time to access the full range of assessment criteria.
Synoptic assessment
Synoptic assessment requires students to work across different parts of a qualification and to
show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area.
Synoptic assessment enables students to show their ability to combine their skills, knowledge
and understanding with breadth and depth of the subject.
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Marking guidance for Paper 3: Listening, reading and writing
in Arabic
Marking guidance has been written to accompany the SAMs and is included with the SAMs
booklet. Please note that this guidance is for the use of the Pearson-appointed external
examiners. It is included here for reference to help teachers understand how the assessment
criteria will be applied.
Section A – Questions 1 to 4
A points-based mark scheme for this section can be found in the Pearson Edexcel Level 3
Advanced GCE in Arabic (listening, reading and writing) Sample Assessment Materials
(SAMs) document.
There are three levels-based mark grids applied to Question 5(c). The mark grids are:
● understand and respond to spoken language (AO1)
● understand and respond to spoken/written language (AO2)
● accuracy and range of language (AO3).
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Understand and respond to spoken language (AO1 – 6 marks)
This mark grid assesses students’ understanding of spoken language and how well they use
information from it to evaluate and draw conclusions.
Indicative content
● When deciding how to reward an answer, examiners will consult this mark grid as well as
the indicative content associated with the question, which can be found in the Pearson
Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Arabic (listening, reading and writing) Sample
Assessment Materials (SAMs) document. Indicative content contains points that students
are likely to use to construct their answer. It is possible for an answer to be constructed
without mentioning some or all of these points, as long as students provide alternative
responses that fulfil the requirements of the question.
● The recommended word count for Question 5(c) is 180–230, words but the whole
response will be marked regardless of length.
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Understand and respond to spoken Understand and respond to written
language (AO1) language (AO2)
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Accuracy and range of language mark grid (AO3)
This mark grid assesses students’ ability to use a range of grammatical structures and
vocabulary accurately to produce articulate communication with a range of expression.
Marks Description
0 No rewardable language
5–6 ● Some variation in the use of grammatical structures and vocabulary, some
recurrent examples of complex language; variation of expression but this is
not sustained; sections of articulate writing with occasionally stilted phrasing.
● Frequent sequences of accurate language, resulting in generally coherent
writing; errors occur that occasionally hinder clarity of communication.
Additional guidance
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Variation in use of grammatical structures/varied use of vocabulary: the traits in the
mark grid differentiate between the variation of grammatical structures and vocabulary used
by students. Examiners should judge in which mark band to place students and which mark
to award, based on the effect that the variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary has
on the quality of the communication; the wider the variety, the more articulate the
communication will become (see definition of articulate below).
Errors: students are not expected to produce perfect, error-free writing in order to access
the top band. The mark grid describes the frequency of errors and the impact that errors
have on clarity.
● errors that make it unclear who is carrying out the action, for example using the incorrect
person of the verb
● mother-tongue interference.
NB: these are provided as examples only and do not constitute a finite list.
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Assessment Objectives
% in
Students must: GCE A Level
AO1 Understand and respond in writing to spoken language drawn 20
from a variety of sources
AO4 Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and 20
analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society of the
countries where the language is spoken
Total 100%
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3 Administration and general information
Entries
Details of how to enter students for the examinations for this qualification can be found in
our UK Information Manual. A copy is made available to all examinations officers and is
available on our website.
Students should be advised that if they take two GCE qualifications with the same discount
code, the colleges, universities and employers to which they wish to progress are likely to
take the view that this achievement is equivalent to only one GCE. The same view may be
taken if students take two GCE qualifications that have different discount codes but which
have significant overlap of content. Before embarking on their programmes, students or their
advisers who have any doubts about their subject combinations should check with the
institution to which they wish to progress.
Language of assessment
The language of assessment for this qualification is Arabic. All student work must be in
Arabic, except the translation in Paper 1 (Section A), which requires a response in English.
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Access arrangements
Access arrangements are agreed before an assessment. They allow students with special
educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to:
● access the assessment
● show what they know and can do without changing the demands of the assessment.
The intention behind an access arrangement is to meet the particular needs of an individual
student with a disability, without affecting the integrity of the assessment. Access
arrangements are the principal way in which awarding bodies comply with the duty under the
Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.
Access arrangements should always be processed at the start of the course. Students will
then know what is available and have the access arrangement(s) in place for assessment.
Reasonable adjustments
The Equality Act 2010 requires an awarding organisation to make reasonable adjustments
where a person with a disability would be at a substantial disadvantage in undertaking an
assessment. The awarding organisation is required to take reasonable steps to overcome
that disadvantage.
A reasonable adjustment for a particular person may be unique to that individual and,
therefore, might not be in the list of available access arrangements.
Special consideration
Special consideration is a post-examination adjustment to a student's mark or grade to
reflect temporary injury, illness or other indisposition at the time of the
examination/assessment, which has had, or is reasonably likely to have had, a material
effect on a student’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate their level of attainment in
an assessment.
Further information
Please see our website for further information about how to apply for access arrangements
and special consideration.
For further information about access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special
consideration, please refer to the JCQ website: www.jcq.org.uk.
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Malpractice
Student malpractice
Student malpractice refers to any act by a student that compromises or seeks to compromise
the process of assessment or which undermines the integrity of the qualifications or the
validity of results/certificates.
Staff/centre malpractice
Staff and centre malpractice includes both deliberate malpractice and maladministration of
our qualifications. As with student malpractice, staff and centre malpractice is any act that
compromises or seeks to compromise the process of assessment or which undermines the
integrity of the qualifications or the validity of results/certificates.
More detailed guidance on malpractice can be found in the latest version of the document
General and Vocational Qualifications Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and
Assessments Policies and Procedures, available at www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice.
The raw marks for all papers in this qualification will be scaled by Pearson to represent the
relative weighting of 40% for Paper 1 and 30% for Papers 2 and 3.
This A Level qualification will be graded and certificated on a six-grade scale from A* to E
using the total subject mark. Individual papers are not graded.
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Student recruitment and progression
Pearson follows the JCQ policy concerning recruitment to our qualifications in that:
● they must be available to anyone who is capable of reaching the required standard
● they must be free from barriers that restrict access and progression
Students who would benefit most from studying this qualification are likely to have a Level 2
qualification such as a GCSE in Arabic. However, students do not need to have studied a
GCSE in Arabic to follow this course.
Progression
This qualification offers a suitable progression route from GCSE, focusing on the
development of three language skills: listening, reading and writing. Grammar and the
mastering of linguistic features are key elements of this qualification, as is the inclusion of
authentic written and spoken sources, responding through writing to literature and film, and
independent research.
Students are expected to be able to develop knowledge and understanding of society past
and present, and of the political and artistic culture of the Arabic-speaking world. They
should be able to express and justify their own opinions, develop arguments and persuade in
writing, building on the fluency developed at Key Stage 4.
The skill of translation will be developed from those skills practised at Key Stages 3 and 4.
The range of topics promotes a clear progression in grammar, vocabulary and cultural
knowledge and understanding from Key Stage 4 and will increase linguistic and cognitive
demand. The grammar list illustrates the level required for this qualification.
This qualification offers a suitable progression route to further study at university level.
In addition, the study of one language at GCE can facilitate and help promote the learning of
other languages. The qualification may also add to an individual’s employability profile,
particularly for UK organisations trading overseas as well as with international companies
based in the UK and globally. Students can progress to a wide range of careers in areas such
as journalism and media, education, science, medicine, the civil service, sales, marketing,
retail, and charities.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to authentic, real-life
contexts. They will develop transferable skills that support the study of other GCE subjects,
higher-education study and the transition to employment, together with an understanding
and appreciation of Arabic-speaking countries and their cultures.
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Appendices
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Appendix 1: Prescribed literary texts and
films
For Paper 2, students are required to study two works from the list below.
The works can be either two literary texts or one literary text and one film. Teachers should
select works that are appropriate for their students.
Literary texts
Films
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Appendix 2: Grammar list
Students at A Level are expected to have studied the grammatical system and structures of
the language during their course. Knowledge of the grammar and structures specified for
GCSE is assumed.
In the examination, students will be required to use, actively and accurately, grammar and
structures appropriate to the tasks set, drawn from the following lists. The mention of an
item in the lists implies knowledge of both its forms and its functions at an appropriate level
of accuracy and complexity.
The examples in italics in parentheses are indicative, that is they serve to illustrate the part
of speech or structure that students must know and hence do not represent an exhaustive
specification of the required grammatical knowledge.
3. Nouns
● Definite and indefinite
● Gender
● Singular, dual and plural forms (sound, broken, non-human and collective)
● Indeclinable, invariable, defective, diminutive
● Diptotes
● Idafa
● Transliteration of loan words in Arabic script
4. Pronouns
● Personal: subject, including one ( ) َﻣﻦ
● Object
● Emphatic
6. Articles
● Definite and indefinite (omission of the indefinite article)
● Generic use of the definite article
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7. Adjectives
● Agreement (human and non-human)
● Position
9. Quantifiers/intensifiers
o perfect
o imperfect (including Latin imperfect using )ﻛﺎن
o present
o future
o subjunctive
o jussive
o conditional
o pluperfect
o future perfect
اذﻫﺐ ِ
● Imperative (affirmative
ْ , negative ﺗﺬﻫﺐ
ْ ﻻ , indirect ﻨﺬﻫﺐ
ْ )ﻟ
● Passive voice (all tenses and forms)
● Expressing possibility (using ) ﻗﺪ
● Verbal nouns and negation (using )ﻋﺪم
● Active and passive participle
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11. Verbal sentences
● Word order of verb, subject, object and pronoun suffixes
12. Prepositions
● All prepositions
13. Conjunctions
● Coordinating conjunctions (e.g. و، أم، أو، ﻟﻜﻦ، َ) ﻓــ
● Subordinating conjunctions (e.g. ﻛـ ـ ـ
َ ، ﻣﺜﻞ، ﺣﻴﺚ، ﺑﺴﺒﺐ، ﻷ ّن، ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ، ﻟﻮ،)إذا
14. Particles
● Interrogative
● Vocative
● Absolute negation (using )ﻻ
● Exclamation and wonder
● Emphatic
15. Numerals
● Cardinal (e.g. اﺛﻨﺎن،)واﺣﺪ
● Ordinal (e.g. اﻟﺜﺎﱐ،)اﻷول
● Exception ( إﻻ
ّ )
● Agreement of numbers with nouns
● Expressions of time and date, including the use of international, Levantine and Islamic
calendars
● Use of munthu ( ) ﻣﻨﺬ
16. Word formation
● Roots and word patterns
● Forming nouns and adjectives from verbs and word patterns
● Forming verbs from roots and verb patterns
● Forming adjectives from nouns
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Appendix 3: The context for the
development of this qualification
All our qualifications are designed to meet our World Class Qualification Principles[1] and our
ambition to put the student at the heart of everything we do.
This qualification has also been developed to meet criteria stipulated by Ofqual in its
documents GCE Qualification Level Conditions and Requirements and GCSE/GCE Subject
Level Conditions and Requirements for Modern Foreign Languages, published in April 2016.
[1]
Pearson’s World Class Qualification Principles ensure that our qualifications are:
● demanding, through internationally benchmarked standards, encouraging deep learning and
measuring higher-order skills
● rigorous, through setting and maintaining standards over time, developing reliable and valid
assessment tasks and processes, and generating confidence in end users of the knowledge, skills
and competencies of certified students
● inclusive, through conceptualising learning as continuous, recognising that students develop at
different rates and have different learning needs, and focusing on progression
● empowering, through promoting the development of transferable skills, see Appendix 4.
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From Pearson’s Expert Panel for World Class Qualifications
May 2014
“education
The reform of the qualifications system in England is a profoundly important change to the
system. Teachers need to know that the new qualifications will assist them in
helping their learners make progress in their lives.
When these changes were first proposed we were approached by Pearson to join an ‘Expert
Panel’ that would advise them on the development of the new qualifications.
We were chosen, either because of our expertise in the UK education system, or because of
our experience in reforming qualifications in other systems around the world as diverse as
Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and a number of countries across Europe.
Importantly, we have worked to ensure that the content and learning is future oriented. The
design has been guided by what is called an ‘Efficacy Framework’, meaning learner outcomes
have been at the heart of this development throughout.
We understand that ultimately it is excellent teaching that is the key factor to a learner’s
success in education. As a result of our work as a panel we are confident that we have
supported the development of qualifications that are outstanding for their coherence,
thoroughness and attention to detail and can be regarded as representing world-class best
practice.
”
Sir Michael Barber (Chair) Professor Lee Sing Kong
Dr Peter Hill
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Appendix 4: Transferable skills
The need for transferable skills
In recent years, higher-education institutions and employers have consistently flagged the
need for students to develop a range of transferable skills to enable them to respond with
confidence to the demands of undergraduate study and the world of work.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines skills, or
competencies, as ‘the bundle of knowledge, attributes and capacities that can be learned and
that enable individuals to successfully and consistently perform an activity or task and can be
built upon and extended through learning.’[ 1]
To support the design of our qualifications, the Pearson Research Team selected and
evaluated seven global 21st-century skills frameworks. Following on from this process, we
identified the National Research Council’s (NRC) framework as the most evidence-based and
robust skills framework. We adapted the framework slightly to include the Program for
International Student Assessment (PISA) ICT Literacy and Collaborative Problem Solving
(CPS) Skills.
The adapted National Research Council’s framework of skills involves the following[2].
Cognitive skills
● Non-routine problem solving – expert thinking, metacognition, creativity.
● Systems thinking – decision making and reasoning.
● Critical thinking – definitions of critical thinking are broad and usually involve general
cognitive skills such as analysing, synthesising and reasoning skills.
● ICT literacy – access, manage, integrate, evaluate, construct and communicate[3].
Interpersonal skills
● Communication – active listening, speaking communication, written communication,
assertive communication and non-verbal communication.
● Relationship-building skills – teamwork, trust, intercultural sensitivity, service
orientation, self-presentation, social influence, conflict resolution and negotiation.
● Collaborative problem solving – establishing and maintaining shared understanding,
taking appropriate action, establishing and maintaining team organisation.
Intrapersonal skills
● Adaptability – ability and willingness to cope with the uncertain, handling work stress,
adapting to different personalities, communication styles and cultures, and physical
adaptability to various indoor and outdoor work environments.
● Self-management and self-development – ability to work remotely in virtual teams,
work autonomously, be self-motivating and self-monitoring, willing and able to acquire
new information and skills related to work.
Transferable skills enable young people to face the demands of further and higher education,
as well as the demands of the workplace, and are important in the teaching and learning of
this qualification. We will provide teaching and learning materials, developed with
stakeholders, to support our qualifications.
[1]
OECD – Better Skills, Better Jobs, Better Lives (OECD Publishing, 2012)
[2]
Koenig J A, National Research Council – Assessing 21st Century Skills: Summary of a Workshop
(National Academies Press, 2011)
[3]
PISA – The PISA Framework for Assessment of ICT Literacy (2011)
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Appendix 5: Level 3 Extended Project
qualification
What is the Extended Project?
The Extended Project is a standalone qualification that can be taken alongside GCEs. It
supports the development of independent learning skills and helps to prepare students for
their next step – whether that be higher education or employment. The qualification:
● is recognised by higher education for the skills it develops
● is worth half of an Advanced GCE qualification at grades A*–E
The Extended Project encourages students to develop skills in the following areas: research,
critical thinking, extended writing and project management. Students identify and agree a
topic area of their choice for in-depth study (which may or may not be related to a GCE
subject they are already studying), guided by their teacher.
The qualification is coursework based and students are assessed, in English, on the skills of
managing, planning and evaluating their project. Students will research their topic, develop
skills to review and evaluate the information, and then present the final outcome of their
project.
The Extended Project has 120 guided learning hours (GLH) consisting of a 40-GLH taught
element that includes teaching the technical skills (for example research skills) and an
80-GLH guided element that includes mentoring students through the project work. The
qualification is 100% internally assessed and externally moderated.
Through the Extended Project, students will develop skills that support their study of Arabic,
including:
● conducting, organising and using research
● independent reading in the subject area
● planning, project management and time management
● defining a hypothesis to be tested in investigations or developing a design brief
● collecting, handling and interpreting data and evidence
● evaluating arguments and processes, including arguments in favour of alternative
interpretations of data and evaluation of experimental methodology
● critical thinking.
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In the context of the Extended Project, critical thinking refers to the ability to identify and
develop arguments for a point of view or hypothesis and to consider and respond to
alternative arguments. This supports the development of evaluative skills, through
evaluating different arguments, and using qualitative and quantitative evidence to support
informed judgements and propose evidence-based solutions to issues.
The dissertation uses secondary research sources to provide a reasoned defence or a point of
view, with consideration of counter-arguments.
An alternative might be an investigative project or field study involving the collection of data
from primary research, for example:
● a statistical survey of changing attitudes towards technology among young people in
an Arabic-speaking country.
A field study might consider an issue that lends itself to primary research, for example an
investigation into the impact of government subsidies on Arabic agriculture.
Information to support the delivery and assessment of the Extended Project, including this
specification, can be found on our website.
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Appendix 6: Codes
Discount codes Every qualification eligible for Please see the GOV.UK
performance tables is assigned a website*
discount code that indicates the subject
area to which it belongs.
Paper codes These codes are provided for reference Paper 1: 9AA0/01
purposes. Students do not need to be
Paper 2: 9AA0/02
entered for individual papers.
Paper 3: 9AA0/03
*www.gov.uk/government/publications/2018-performance-tables-discount-code
Sb100418Z:\LT\PD\GCE 2017\9781446947159_GCE2017_AL_ARABIC_ISS1.DOCX.1–56/0
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References to third party material made in this specification are made in good faith. Pearson
does not endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may
be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Material may include literary texts,
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