Experts in Language Assessment

An Overview of Skills for Life Writing Entry 1-3

 

Paper format
There are three tasks at each level. Papers may sometimes have a broad theme but all tasks can be answered independently.

 

Answer format
Candidates write their answers on the question paper in pen.

 

Timing
Entry 1 – 40 minutes.
Entry 2 – 50 minutes
Entry 3 – 1 hour

 

Marks
Different marks totals are available for different tasks. This depends on a variety of factors including complexity of input, length of required output and the real-world significance of the task (e.g. a police report might be worth more marks than a note to a friend).

 

Task types
All Writing tasks are designed to reflect the everyday experience of the ESOL learner. The Writing paper will draw on authentic or semi-authentic texts and task-types, and provides an opportunity for candidates to use and respond to language in a similar way to that which is asked of them in daily life.

 

Entry 1:

Entry 2:

 

As at Entry 1, plus:

Entry 3:

 

As at Entry 1, plus:

Task Focus

 

Task Types and Format

Task Focus
 

Lists (usually at Entry 1 only)

choice of appropriate topic vocabulary, spelling of familiar words, handwriting
 

forms/questionnaires

 

As above, plus: personal information, sentence construction,

 
 

notes/messages

 

As above, plus: communication of specific message; at E2, awareness of audience and format; at E3, awareness of format, some adaptation to audience

 
 

emails (at Entry 2 and Entry 3 only)

 

As in notes/messages above, but with no assessment of handwriting and spelling

 
 

descriptions/narratives/reports

As above, plus: organisation of information; at E3 only, conveying of opinion

 

Topic Areas
Candidates will encounter topics which are familiar and relevant to adult ESOL learners. They include: