����tv

Whether you are doing a group discussion, or a presentation you will be assessed on the same four aspects, listed below

1. Employs relevant detailed and complex ideas and/or information using a structure appropriate to purpose and audience

This is broken down into:

• content
• structure
• relevance

Here's how these three things are applied to group discussions and individual presentations:

Group discussions

• content - even though a discussion might seem like an ordinary conversation/chat with your friends, you must make sure you contribute detailed and complex ideas.
• structure - in a group discussion, structure is still important: taking turns, summarising the views of the group, challenging or developing the views of others.
• relevance - for both presentations and group discussions, very simply: keep it all relevant. Don’t stray off topic.

Presentations

• content - make sure your content contains plenty of detailed and complex ideas and/or information.
• structure - obviously, a beginning, middle and end, but try to take forward some approaches you have used in, say, discursive writing to help you here. Try asking questions like these when preparing your ideas:
  • What do I think?
  • Why do I think this?
  • What evidence do I have to support this?
  • What might others who disagree with me think?
• relevance - for both presentations and group discussions, very simply: keep it all relevant. Don’t stray off topic.

2. Communicates meaning effectively through the selection and use of detailed and complex spoken language

For both group discussions and presentations, make sure that the language you use is sufficiently detailed and complex. Your language has to be elaborate or esoteric. It just has to be appropriate.

Your language must suit your subject:

• consider the register and tone of your spoken language
• think about the vocabulary you use
• make sure all this is right for your audience

Your spoken language also has to be clear and accurate enough for effective communication to take place (for people to understand you). Perfection is not required here, and it would not be natural. But make sure you speak clearly and loudly enough for your audience to hear you.

3. Uses aspects of non-verbal communication

Your teacher will be looking for some signs that you can use non-verbal indicators. There is no requirement for this to be somehow more complex than the kind of things that are acceptable for National 5, they just have to be present.

4. Demonstrates listening skills by responding to detailed and complex spoken language

In a group discussion, the best way to demonstrate your listening is by joining in the discussion and making contributions.

Make sure that what you say is relevant to the discussion, and make sure that it follows on from, is linked to, points made by others.

In a presentation, you will be required to answer questions, most likely when you have finished speaking. Be ready for this and have a think about what you might be asked.

Take your time when answering the questions, and try to give reasonably extended or developed answers.

Who will mark it and how will it be marked?

Your teacher will assess your Performance-Spoken language on an ‘achieved’ or ‘not achieved’ basis. There will be no marks involved.

Your teacher will be watching and will come to a decision about whether you have demonstrated achievement of the four aspects above. Your teacher will record your performance on a checklist. It doesn’t all have to happen on the same day, it might be over the course of the school year.