Modifications to
English Language SBA NEW
Free downloads of revisions to SBA Kit
NEW
Frequently asked questions
Ask a question
Free support material
Useful links
Modifications
to English Language SBA NEW
Overview
See the tables below for a detailed comparison of the previous set-up
to the new version. Italics highlight the changes between the previous
set-up and the new one.
Previously
| |
Overall |
Form 4 |
Form 5 |
| What texts do students
use? |
Four texts, one from each category:
- print fiction
- print non-fiction
- non-print fiction
- non-print non-fiction
|
At least two texts from two categories. |
Remaining two texts from remaining categories. |
| How are students assessed? |
They do four tasks: one text from
each category. |
They do at least two group interactions. |
They do at least one group interaction
and one individual presentation. |
| How much of the total
English mark is SBA worth? |
15% of the total English mark. |
5%. The highest mark is used at the
end of the year. |
10%. The two highest marks — one
for the group interaction and one for the individual presentation
— are reported at the end of the year. |
Now
| |
Overall |
Form 4 |
Form 5 |
| What texts do students
use? |
Three, from three of the following
four categories:
- print fiction
- print non-fiction
- non-print fiction
- non-print non-fiction
|
One or two texts. |
One or two texts. |
| How are students assessed? |
They do two tasks, each on a text
from a different category. |
They do one task in the second semester.
This can be either group interaction or individual presentation. |
They do one task at any time. This can
be either group interaction or individual presentation. |
| How much of the total
English mark is SBA worth? |
15% of the total English mark. |
7.5%. |
7.5%. |
The use of texts
There are fewer compulsory texts: down from 4 to 3.
You no longer have to use two texts from the HKEAA-recommended
list.
"After the modification the list will be for reference
only. The recommended texts may still be used but any other texts
can be chosen according to the text selection criteria provided
on page 1 of the document 'Recommended Texts for the SBA Component'.
The updated version of the document can be accessed on the HKEAA
website: www.hkeaa.edu.hk starting from 29 April 2006."
Hong Kong Examination and Assessment Authority, 25 April 2006
Assessment
There are fewer assessment tasks: down from 4 to 2.
In both assessment tasks, schools can choose the type of task (group
interaction or individual presentation).
Time frame for implementation
SBA must start in 2007, but inclusion of students' marks can be
deferred until 2009.
Reasons for these changes
The concept of SBA was generally well-received amongst
schools. However, as with any major educational reform, it is a
big adjustment for all concerned. Research suggested that many teachers
felt overwhelmed or ill-prepared for the English Language SBA.
HKEAA listed the following aims for the recent
modifications:
1 |
To simplify the design of SBA
Teachers felt that the system was unnecessarily complicated.
This has been made more straightforward, with the workload and
weighting in Form 4 the same as that of Form 5. |
2 |
To give schools time to adjust to SBA
With such a fundamental change to the assessment system,
it was felt that teachers and students should be given adequate
time to adjust. In 2007 and 2008, schools can choose for their
students' SBA marks not to count towards their final marks.
This gives schools two years to get used to SBA without being
assessed on it. From 2009 onwards, however, SBA marks must count.
|
3 |
To allow for variation between schools
The new SBA component involves not only speaking but also reading
and/or listening texts. While many students will excel at this
type of examination, for others this will be challenging. With
this in mind, the minimum number of texts has been reduced,
as has the number of assessment tasks. Stronger students will
be able to do more than the required minimum, however.
|
What these changes mean for you
Your workload will be more manageable
SBA is now streamlined and the requirements simplified, with students
doing one text and one assessment task per year. This also means
that the compulsory workload has been reduced, so teachers and students
alike have time to adjust to the demands of the new curriculum.
You will have more control
over your students' workload
The modifications also give schools greater flexibility. The workload
will be sufficiently challenging for less able students, yet teachers
are free to do more texts and/or tasks if students need stretching.
You must decide if you plan
to submit your students' SBA marks in 2007
Each school must decide if they plan to submit students' SBA marks
in 2007, and if these marks should count towards their final English
result. HKEAA will contact schools with further information.
Free
downloads of revisions to SBA Kit
NEW
As of the HKEAA press release of 11 April 2006,
there are some modifications to the English Language SBA.
The relevant material from the SBA Kit has been
revised to reflect these modifications. Please use the checklist
below to ensure you have all necessary documents to update your
current teaching materials.
Checklist of revised
materials for SBA Kit
Revised
document |
What
to do with it |
Changes
addressed |
SBA Kit Teaching Resources: Frequently
asked questions,
p. 6a–c
|
This is an additional three-page insert.
Insert between pages 6 and 7. |
This insert includes:
- Overview of the changes to English SBA
- Timeline of implementation of SBA
- Reasons for recent changes to SBA
What these changes mean for you and your students
|
SBA Kit Teaching Resources: Frequently
asked questions,
p. 7
|
This is a replacement page for page 7.
Insert between pages 6 and 7. |
In ‘How is the final mark decided?’:
‘Three of these marks will go towards the student’s final
SBA mark’
has been replaced with:
‘Two of these marks will go towards the student’s final SBA
mark’ |
SBA Kit Student Book:
Frequently asked questions,
p. 1
|
This is a replacement page for page 1. Remove
the original page and replace it with this one. |
In the first paragraph:
'You have to read and view four texts'
has been replaced with:
'You have to read and view three texts'
There is a new breakdown of marks. This illustrates that
there are only two assessed tasks, each worth 7.5% of the
final mark for English.
The following changes can be found in the new flowchart:
'Read 2 books' and 'View 2 films/documentaries'
has been replaced with:
'Read/view 3 texts (books, films, documentaries)'.
'Participate in 2 group interactions'
has been replaced with:
'Carry out 1 task, either group interaction or individual
presentation, in the second semester'.
'Participate in 1 group interaction and give 1 individual
presentation'
has been replaced with:
'Carry out 1 task, either group interaction or individual
presentation'. |
SBA Kit Student Book:
Frequently asked questions,
p. 2
|
This is a replacement page for page 2.
Remove the original page and replace it with this one.
|
In ‘How will I be assessed?’:
‘You will be assessed on your performance in the assessment
tasks. That is, how you do in the group interaction and individual
presentation.’
has been replaced with:
‘You will be assessed on your performance, or how well you
do, in the assessment tasks.’
In ‘Group interactions’:
‘You will be assessed on three speaking tasks with at least
one other classmate.’
has been replaced with:
‘In the group interaction, you will be assessed on a speaking
task with at least one other classmate.’ |
Frequently
asked questions
Your frequently asked questions about SBA answered. Questions submitted
on our 'Ask a question' form will also be posted here.
Ask
a question
Do you have a question about SBA? Submit your questions and we will
post the answers on our website.
Why not share your assessment tasks with other
teachers? Send us an email and we will be in touch. The tasks received
will then be posted on our website.
Want to know more about the SBA Kit?
Send us your details and our account executives will be happy to
visit you.
Free
support material for teachers
Download our marking sheets, containing
the latest version of the HKEAA official assessment criteria and
space to make notes. Using the marking sheet in your assessment
tasks allows you to focus on the descriptors for each of the criteria
on one handy sheet.
Register free with the Teacher's
Club to access resources (including answer keys, tests, story-summaries,
photocopiable activities, and lesson plans) for the following series
of Oxford readers:
| Dominoes |
Oxford Bookworms Factfiles |
Oxford Bookworms Library |
Oxford Bookworms Playscripts |
 |
 |
 |
 |
If you are an 
user, please log in
for teaching support. Here, you can download the teaching resources
(including teaching notes, activities and projects, and worksheets)
for individual titles. You will also find useful resources about
using readers and teaching literature.
Useful
links
Here are some useful links to SBA-related websites.
Education and Manpower Bureau
This contains up-to-date information about all issues concerning
education in Hong Kong.
http://www.emb.gov.hk/
HKedCity
Teachers can log in to join a forum, download SBA-related documents,
and view video clips introducing SBA.
http://ec.hkedcity.net/sba
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
(HKEAA)
This official site is a solid source of information about the current
systems of assessments in place. Follow the links to read about
the background to SBA and rationale for its introduction.
http://eant01.hkeaa.edu.hk/hkea/new_look_home.asp
Hong Kong University’s SBA Project website
This comprehensive site has various downloads that teachers will
find invaluable: resources such as assessment tasks and guidelines,
as well as videos of sample tasks.
http://web.hku.hk/~sbapro/
|
