1. SPOKEN LANGUAGE
Higher English

2. Spoken Language – what is it?
The only change to the Higher English curriculum is the introduction of SPOKEN LANGUAGE assessment.
This replaces the UASPs of previous years
This is the only assessment outwith your final grade and is PASS/FAIL only.

3. Spoken Language – what is it?
You will be assessed on four outcomes.
The candidate:
employs relevant detailed and complex ideas and/or information using a structure appropriate to purpose and audience
communicates meaning effectively through the selection and use of detailed and complex spoken language
uses aspects of non-verbal communication
demonstrates listening skills by responding to detailed and complex spoken language

4. employ relevant detailed and complex ideas and/or information using a structure appropriate to purpose and audience
Content:
Is your content relevant? Have you followed the requirements of the task?
Are your ideas detailed and complex? Have you gone into detail?
Structure:
Have you planned your talk well?
Is your introduction effective and engaging? Do you have a clear conclusion?
Do your ideas develop in a logical order?
Relevance:
Have you thought about the purpose of your talk, and who your audience will be? Is your content appropriate to both?
Do you stay on-topic?

5. communicate meaning effectively through the selection and use of detailed and complex spoken language
Choice of language:
Have you used features of spoken language deliberately and effectively to create effect and impact?
Are your register and tone appropriate?
Is your vocabulary varied and sophisticated? Do you use technical vocabulary where appropriate?
Have you made use of language techniques and rhetorical devices (such as word choice, imagery, rhetorical questions, repetition…)?
Clarity and accuracy:
Can you use language clearly and accurately enough that you convey your meaning to your audience?
Do you use words correctly?

6. use aspects of non-verbal communication
Do you make careful use of non-verbal features to help convey your ideas?
Eye contact
Pace
Tone
Volume
Gesture
Have you rehearsed your talk to ensure that you will make use of these features?

7. demonstrate listening skills by responding to detailed and complex spoken language
Have you prepared for questions you may be asked, and planned appropriate responses to them?
Do you answer questions in suitable detail?
If you’re not sure how to answer a question, do you respond appropriately?

8. Spoken Language – what is it?
It’s a

9. You will choose a book from the reading list or decide on an alternative with my help or a discussion with the librarian.

10. You will READ the book- until the end!

11. You will organise yourselves into groups of 3

12. You should choose and begin reading your book as soon as possible.
You will work on your reading and preparation over the next few weeks.
The talk should be prepared and rehearsed over the summer.
The assessments will begin when school returns in August.

13. When you come back in August you will present your analysis of the book as a group of three.
You don’t have to discuss the same book
But you MUST ask each of your group members a well considered question about their book.
To do this you should discuss, in June, the information you will cover in your talk so that your questioners can prepare (and inform you of) their questions.

14. Your talk should last at least 5 minutes.
SHORT TALKS WILL FAIL!

15. You MUST analyse the novel, not review it.
Make sure you have rehearsed thoroughly – you are being assessed on your delivery as well as your content!
Do NOT read the whole talk out.

16. As you read the book, make notes on interesting characters, on the setting, on theme, and interesting language.
Ensure you have plenty of textual evidence to back up the points you make!
Approach this as you would a critical essay. Think about what it is you want to say about the text. Come up with a line of thought. The strongest talks will have a clear argument and will not just be a list of analytical paragraphs about the novel’s different aspects

17. Your Talk Should Discuss
Title, author publication date
Any background on the author
VERY BRIEF plot summary
Favourite character
Favourite/key incident
Interesting facts – based on true story, made into a film…
Recommendations

18. Your Talk Should… Be well structured Begin in an interesting way
Engage the audience throughout
Contain sophisticated vocabulary
Be dynamic – good body language and audience
interaction

19. In summary… Choose and read a suitable novel. Make notes as you read.
Decide what you’d like to focus your talk on and prepare a talk with a line of thought and plenty of evidence.
Rehearse your talk thoroughly.
Prepare questions for two other candidates.

20. Week beginning 27th AUGUST
When?
Week beginning 27th AUGUST