UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
THE MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
ADVANCED LEVEL
SPANISH
MAY 2009
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
MATRICULATION AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATIONS BOARD
AM Examiners’ Report – May 2009
AM SPANISH
MAY 2009 SESSION
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
The following is a statistical table since 2001 for comparative purposes. It represents the number of
candidates, and the percentage according to grade.
General Comments.
It is a positive sign that the number of candidates has risen to 42 from last year’s 29, which means that it
has reached the usual levels after the marked decrease last year. The level of marks obtained was again
remarkably high, with 80 % obtaining an A, B or C grade.
period
2001Candidates
%
2002same
A
B
C
D
E
F
absent
Total
7
17%
5
29%
7
17%
6
35%
14
34%
3
18%
7
17%
0
0%
3
7%
1
6%
2
5%
1
6%
1
2%
1
6%
41
100%
17
100%
2003same
8
20%
8
20%
14
35%
2
5%
3
8%
2
5%
3
8%
40
100%
2004same
7
15%
14
30%
12
26%
8
17%
4
9%
1
2%
46
100%
2005same
12
30%
8
20%
9
22%
4
10%
3
8%
2
5%
2
5%
40
100%
2006
same
7
17%
4
10%
7
17%
6
15%
9
22%
5
12%
2007
same
2
3%
17
27%
19
31%
11
18%
6
10%
4
6%
2008same
6
20%
13
46%
6
20%
2009
same
5
12%
15
35%
14
33%
2
7%
4
10%
3
7%
41
100%
3
5%
62
100%
2
7%
29
100%
4
10%
42
100%
Excluding the absentees, the average mark was 70% overall. The average mark in paper 1 was 21out of
30, 22 out of 30 in paper II and 20 out of 30 in paper III. The average in the oral exam was 7 out of 10.
As a general comment, one could say that the standard of learning and achievement in the exams has
improved over the last two years, and students seem to take the subject with more enthusiasm. It is a pity
that the level of candidate participation remains static and interest in this beautiful language has not
moved forward.
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AM Examiners’ Report – May 2009
Focused Remarks
Redacción > paper I
With a few exceptions, the level of the essay was very good. The candidates appeared to have prepared
themselves with the techniques to come up with a good end-result. The examiners have remarked on the
organized presentation and flowing narration/argumentation. Perhaps they have heeded the advice given
over the years in these reports to spend some minutes to draw up a sketch of how they intend to develop
their essay, before plunging into the actual writing.
Comprensión > paper II (A)
The average mark here was 11 out of 15.The level was good , although there were cases when the
students failed to reply correctly to the question, for example where an opinion is requested and they
simply repeat by falling back on the text practically word for word. Nearly all understood the text well and
knew how to look for information.
The examiners pointed out that some students just copy the text when giving an answer, thinking that
they are playing safe, when in fact such a strategy is penalized. Students must understand they even if
they have identified the answer, replying in their own words is a part of the test.
It was also remarked that many did badly in the last question on vocabulary, indicating that students have
to read and listen more in the Spanish language.
Resúmen > paper II (B)
This was the section where students fared worse out of all the exercises.In the examiners’ opinion, the
text chosen was too long and this might have induced the students to include secondary information,
which resulted in an irrelevant end-result. Others copied from the text, which of course, is not the purpose
of the exercise and results in loss of marks.
Literatura y temas Culturales
Once again , as in previous years, we have to state that no candidates opted for the “Temas Culturales”
side of the choice. This part should, we believe, either be dropped in the next curriculum if the present
form is retained, or else a radical change is made in the set-up. We think that students will carry on
shying from this section unless a particular book or two are chosen as textbooks and questions put on the
material therein.
Many of the students made a good analysis of the literature part discussed , although some ended up by
not replying to the question set. Also, some indulged in expressing their likes and dislikes of the textbook ,
which is essentially irrelevant when analyzing a piece of literature text.
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AM Examiners’ Report – May 2009
Conversación
At a general level of 7 out 0f 10, the students gave a good account of themselves considering the low
level of possibility to practice the language in Malta.
Concluding Words
On the whole it was a very creditable performance which puts the study of this language in a strong
position. We still feel more students should be opting for this subject, considering it is not difficult to learn
as one of the Romance languages with which we are so familiar in Malta. Besides the usefulness of this
language is bound to increase as time goes by.
Chairperson
Board of Examiners
August 2009
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