Adult Literacy Entry 1 Assignment - Retraining

ASSESSOR'S NOTES

1. Administration of the assignment.

1.1. The assignment should not be attempted until the assessor is confident that the candidate has all of the underlying skills listed in 1.4 below.

1.2. There is no time limit on the assignment, but the activities should be completed in order and an activity should normally be completed in a single session. If not completed in a single session, the assignment should be completed over consecutive sessions. If the assignment is completed over more than one session, the dates each activity were completed should be entered on the candidate's question paper and evidence sheet by the assessor.

1.3. A simplified dictionary should be provided for candidates if possible.

1.4. The basic skills being tested in this assignment are:

Read and understand textual material

  • follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience. (Activity 1.)
  • recognise the different purposes of texts at this level. (Activity 1.)
  • possess a limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs and symbols. (Activity 1.)

Read and obtain information from textual and graphical material

  • recognise the different purposes of texts at this level. (Activity 2.)
  • possess a limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs and symbols. (Activity 2.)

Use reading strategies

  • decode simple, regular words. (Activity 1.)
  • recognise the letters of the alphabet in both upper and lower case. (Activity 1.)

Complete forms and records

  • use written words and phrases to record or present information. (Activity 3.)
  • spell correctly some personal keywords and familiar words. (Activity 3.)
  • write the letters of the alphabet using upper and lower case. (Activity 3.)

1.5. In preparation for the assignment, candidates should have been given practice in reading a range of materials, including newspaper articles, leaflets, recipes, advertisements, maps and other images. They should have had practice in completing forms and writing simple letters.

1.6. In activity 1, candidates must not be given help in reading or understanding the newspaper article.

In activity 2, candidates must not be given any help with reading the sign or answering the question.

In activity 3, candidates must not be given any help in reading, understanding or completing the form.

1.7. Before the candidates start, assessors should introduce the assignment. The following is a suggested wording:

“In this assignment, you will have 3 activities to do. You will have to read information, give your personal details, answer questions and fill in a form. You do not need to read through the whole assignment now, but you should read through each activity before you start it. You will need to do the assignment on your own.

I will explain each activity to you before you start. If you need any other help, then ask me; I will tell you if I am allowed to help you. You may use a dictionary without asking. You do not have to finish all the activities today. If you want to stop at the end of any activity ask me. When you have finished the questions, check your answers carefully and then hand the question paper in to me.”

1.8. The assessor will need to introduce each activity. The following suggested wording, or similar, should be used:

“Activity 1 - Read the newspaper story and answer the questions on the page.”

“ Activity 2 - Look at the sign, which shows the opening times of a Careers Information Centre. Use the sign to help you answer the question.”

“ Activity 3 - Look at the enquiry form for finding out about courses. Fill in the form with your own details.”

2. Assessment of the assignment.

2.1. Activity 1. Newspaper Story.

The successful candidate will give appropriate answers to each of the questions. Spelling should not be penalised in this activity as writing is not being assessed, so responses can be given orally and written down by the assessor on the question paper. This must be clearly indicated.

Acceptable answers will include the following information:

1.1. The story is about:

Mary or

Mary Bailey or

A woman/someone who wants to be a mechanic or

Working with cars or

Working in a garage.

1.2. Mary wants to:

Work with cars or

Be a mechanic or

Repair cars or

Work with cars like Peter/her husband.

1.3. Mary has always liked:

Cars.

1.4. Does Peter like his job?

Yes.

1.5. Where does Peter work?

A garage.

2.2. Activity 2. Careers Information Centre Sign.

The successful candidate will write down or tell the tutor:

2.1. any time between 10am and 1pm on a Saturday.

2.2. 5:30pm.

2.3. 9:00am.

2.3. Activity 3. Enquiry Form.

The successful candidate will:

3.1. complete the form fully and accurately, with no more than five minor errors, and such that the information could be sent out to the candidate.

3. Record keeping

3.1. Assessors should ensure that they keep the final copies of the candidate's question papers.

3.2. Use the evidence record sheets to record the results of the activities.