- What are the SBA requirements for HKDSE English Language?
SBA Requirements
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S4
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S5
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S6
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| Number and type of texts to be read / viewed |
Two to Four texts, at least one print and one non-print, in the course of three years (‘texts’ encompass print, non-print, fiction and non-fiction material). |
| Number, % and timing of assessment tasks |
One task should be based on at least one print text; fictional or non-fictional texts are accepted; either a group interaction or an individual presentation is accepted. (7.5%)
The other task should be based on at least one non-print text; fictional or non-fictional texts are accepted. If the first task is based on a group interaction, the other task should be based on an individual presentation, and vice versa. (7.5%)
The formal assessments should be conducted in the second term of S5 and anytime during S6.
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Requirements for Repeaters and Transfer Students
School repeaters are candidates who have sat the HKDSE Examination in the previous year(s) and are currently enrolled as S6 students in a school to retake the examination as school candidates.
Generally speaking, SBA is compulsory for school repeaters. For English Language, repeaters have to be re-assessed in S6 and meet the SBA requirements for S6 only (one assessment only; either group interaction or individual presentation; either print texts or non-print texts), which will be proportionally adjusted to 15% and incorporated into their subject mark. Their SBA results obtained in previous examinations will not be counted.
Transfer students are S6 students sitting the examination for the first time, but who have transferred from one school to another after S5. Transfer students will need to submit the SBA mark for S6 only, i.e. one assessment, either group interaction or individual presentation, which will be proportionally adjusted to 15% and incorporated into their subject mark. Their SBA results obtained in S5 in their former school will not be counted.
Transfer students should provide information to their new school about the school in which they attended the S5 English Language course and the assessments completed there for their teachers’ reference.
Students who have transferred to an S5 class at another school are not considered to be transfer students. They must meet the full SBA requirements as normal S5 students, i.e. complete two assessments.
Private Candidates
Private candidates will not be required to complete the SBA component. Their subject mark will be based entirely on their public examination results.
- Why is the mark range (0-7) in Paper 4 and (0-6) for the SBA?
In HKDSE English Language Paper 4, a further level has been added as compared to the marking guidelines used in SBA for two reasons: firstly, it gives Paper 4 candidates a final score which ranges between 0-56 (each examiner gives a score out of 28 marks), which provides a means of discriminating higher achieving candidates more accurately. Secondly, the increased 0-7 scale was also felt to reflect the fact that Paper 4 was a public examination taken at the end of three years of senior secondary instruction.
In contrast, a decision was made to maintain the six-point scale (0-6) marking guidelines used in the SBA component of HKDSE English Language. This decision was based on the fact that there are two assessments given in SBA, each out of a total of 24 marks. This constitutes a final score range of 0-48, thus providing a sufficient mark range to discriminate candidates. It was also felt that teachers’ familiarity with the existing 6-point scale would facilitate a more reliable assessment as compared to implementing a change which was deemed to be unnecessary in terms of discriminating candidates for grading purposes.
- When can teachers start conducting actual assessment?
The actual assessment should be conducted only after sufficient teaching has taken place. The Senior Secondary Curriculum spans three years: it is recommended that teachers commence the reading and viewing program in S4 and utilise at least one text as a ‘class reader’ to demonstrate the reading, reflecting and assessment process. The ‘class readers’ can also be employed to enhance students’ oral language skills and promote extensive reading. In S4, teachers can also conduct formative assessments, while the actual assessment for this component should take place during the second term of S5. According to the Assessment Framework and the guidelines in the SBA Handbook, the actual assessment should be conducted during the second term of S5 or at any time throughout S6.
- Can comic strips and magazine or newspaper articles count as texts for the SBA?
These text types should NOT be used for the SBA component. Teachers, however, can use these text types in the learning and teaching of English Language, especially in developing students’ reading and speaking skills.
- Do teachers need to submit students’ samples of performance to the HKEAA?
Yes: for quality assurance purposes, schools are required to upload a total of 6 sets of videos to the HKEAA online platform. Each set consists of one video clip from an individual presentation and one video clip from a group interaction. The school coordinator should carefully select 2 high-level, 2 mid-level, and 2 low-level performances from these sets. It is important to note that the submission of sample performances is mandatory, and SBA school coordinators are responsible for coordinating and submitting them to the HKEAA. Schools should retain the original videos and upload the video clips to the SBA online platform.
For inter-school sharing sessions, schools should prepare a total of nine samples, including 3 high-level, 3 mid-level, and 3 low-level performances (with a combination of IPs and GIs).
The school coordinator should clearly indicate on the assessment records which student(s) have been selected for submission. For more detailed information, teachers can refer to the PowerPoint slides available on the SBA corner, accessible at this link
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