UCL LANGUAGE CENTRE
Course Units 2009‐2010 Board of Examiners Meeting ‐ Minutes Wednesday 09 June 2010 10.35 – 12.40 26 Bedford Way, room 113 Chaired by Dr Christine Hoffmann Present: 
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David Albury  Laurie Gabay Yoko Aldous  Gulzhanat Gafu  Philippe Galinier Dr Mashail Ali  Petra Garcia‐Rodriguez Marie‐Laure Aris (arrived 10:50) Anja Boeing  Fernando Gracia Garcia Sara Bragadina (arrived 10:40) Siqin Brown  Luay Hasan Roberto D’Onofrio  Dr So Hiranuma Madeleine du Vivier  Dr Christine Hoffmann Juan Fernandez  Dr Lamia Jamal‐Aldin Diego Flores‐Jaime (arrived 10.50) María‐Teresa Forteza‐Rey  Fabrice Lamotte Ying Fu 
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Gillian Lazar Liyun Liao Dr Ian McGrath Mireille Michel Cathy Morand Sibylle Moulin Marc‐Georges Nowicki Catherine Plant Carmen Requena Jenny Rodgers Karine Roumetz Adam Salisbury 
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Fabio Sastre‐Alonso Dr Julia Schoecke Pierre Scordia Chizuko Seki Zdralka James Sinclair‐Knopp Cristina Testi Anne‐Sophie Vandamme Michal Wozniak Selina Zheng 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION 1.1
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Chair welcomed all present in particular our new External Examiner Sibylle Moulin (French) and introduced those absent: Karen Kruze (Spanish), Junko Ogawa (Japanese); Apologies for absence: Dr Alessia Cogo, Dr Claudia Faust, Karen Kruse and Junko Ogawa; Attention was drawn to confidentiality restraints regarding Board and results; Confirmation given that all examining procedures were followed including the meeting of Extenuating Circumstances panel which took place with Dr Claudia Faust on Friday 04 June 2010; Confirmation given of Board’s scrutiny meetings/external examiner moderation which took place on Thursday 03, Friday 04 and Monday 07 June 2010. 2.
CONDUCT OF EXAMINATIONS 2.1
One case of exam irregularities with LCFR6867: French for Academic Purposes 1.0 course unit, which will be reported on as necessary when results are confirmed. 3.
COMMENTS Comments and observations from the External Examiners 3.1 Ying FU (Mandarin): This is second year as external for Mandarin and there has been huge progress with Mandarin course units compared to the previous year; thank you to the team and to the office administration: Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes Textbooks used are constant and systematic; Assessment is professional and of a good standard; Good practice to write comments on the examination marking schemes. 3.2 Sibylle Moulin (French): First year as external and given a good range of work to moderate; the examination process was carried out properly. Good work and practice from the French team with good leadership from Mireille Michel. Structure of programme is clearly articulated; Material is consistent with the levels and documents carefully chosen; Curriculum and teaching methods are suitable; First and second marking was fair, consistent and rigorous with a good range of marks; There is a clear commitment from students, with regard to their interest in the Project topics; 
Some tasks on the Reading and Writing examination are repetitive and Task 5 does not carry enough weight. 3.3 Dr Mashail Ali (Arabic): Thanks to the office administration; there were useful and clear guidelines and procedures. There were improvements from last year: Projects and conducts of Oral exams good – procedures were followed; Examples of excellent teaching; This year there was only one native speaker who was registered for LCAR6002: Level B; 
The quality of the exams was quite good, however it would be preferable to receive the papers much earlier to allow time for any necessary amendments; 
The team must agree on a marking strategy with more reconciliation of marks; the markers need to sit down and agree marks. We cannot give one mark for a whole question, it should be given for individual items e.g. Reading Comprehension/Linguistic Competence; NOTED Comment from Dr Hoffmann: there was quite a discrepancy between first and second marker within the Arabic team, which was discussed between the director and the team; it was decided to exceptionally ask Dr Ali to look at and moderate these papers. 3.4 Dr Ian McGrath (English for Academic Purposes): Assessment procedures were well thought out; Ingenuity and conscientiousness shown by team; Good results; Useful to listen to Oral exams which allows for some post‐hoc moderation with the audio files ‐ there is a gap between when all the Oral exams sessions take place and are never all on same day/same week; Small inconsistencies in some of the marking but able to iron all out effectively with no resulting issues for student marks; 
Consideration should be given to renaming the Take‐home course assessment as this is not a take‐
home assignment with preparation done at home and the actual assessment in class. One example might be, “Prepared Topic”; 
Moderation of Take‐Home assignment: it would be better if each tutor has a spread of a low, an intermediate and high proficiency level of work to mark; 
The project given for late submission of Researched Papers seems unduly harsh: 10% per day so by the following Monday the penalty stands at 30%. Is this standard UCL policy? Dr Hoffmann: this is reviewed each year but might be even stricter from now on and become more centrally governed. No penalty is given for students who submit their work after the 14:00 deadline, but before 17:00 that day. 3.5 Dr Claudia Faust (German) comments received by email and read out by Dr Christine Hoffmann: Good quality exams and coursework, with interesting and informative topics, a good variety of challenging tasks which are appropriate to the level; Still not satisfied with the separate answer book for the Reading and Writing exams; integrated questions and answers, as used to be done is much clearer; Clear evidence of 1st and 2nd (and fair) marking and examiners comments were useful; Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes Agreed with all marking, and only a couple of final marks have been raised, due to the overall impression of the students; Tutors prepared the students very well, showed an interest in their work and progress and also conveyed a supportive a relaxed atmosphere during the oral exams. The courses and the moderation period were very well administered. 3.6 Dr Alessia Cogo (Italian) comments received by email and read out by Dr Christine Hoffmann: Exam papers were prepared to a high standard with excellent marking schemes which were kept up to date during the marking process. Marking was fair and accurate and second marking particularly thorough. The new Translation Skills module is highly interesting and will hopefully attract more students. Marking was dealt with accurately and provided detailed feedback and indication of the type of mistakes marked: 
As noted by the marker, candidates had problems with consistency in style and register in the text translation – the 1,500 word text seems rather long; one suggestion is to reduce the length of the text or to ask candidates to translate two shorter texts. These could be of different genres to allow students to show their abilities to adapt to different styles and requirements. In this final year as external examiner I give congratulations to the team for their very good work and excellent examination procedure. It has been a pleasure to work together. 3.7 Karen Kruse (Spanish) comments received by email and read out by Dr Christine Hoffmann: There is evidence of careful course planning and thorough assessment consistent with aims and intended learning outcomes, which is appropriate and up to date and allows students to display competence in all areas; there is a good spread of marks with some outstanding results. It was useful to have access to recordings of oral exams some of the performances from students of Business and Current Affairs and the Current Affairs and courses were excellent and impressive. 
The oral examinations for Level A are far too long, some can last 15 and 20 minutes; an alternative suggestion is for the examiners to prepare some questions about the project and interrogate students, instead of the candidates presenting their project for 5 minutes, a presentation which they may have memorised; 
The short period of time that tutors had to complete first and second marking and moderation of marks of such a considerable amount of scripts was very surprising. This does not seem acceptable as it places staff under a lot of pressure. Overall the strength is the level of preparation undertaken by students to complete a series of assessed tasks that are relevant to the professional world. The emphasis on research in some modules is impressive and prepares students well for postgraduate study. Congratulations to Fernando and the team for their work and to the Course Units office for the organisation and communication during this process. 3.8 Gillian Lazaar (TEFL): This has been a rigorous, well sequenced course with balanced and fair assessment. There was a good spread of candidates for moderation, who linked theory and practise well. The team had a good balance of summative and formative evaluation. The teaching practice is an important component; this year the weighting of the last three TP sessions held more than the others. 
More standardisation of referencing. 3.9 Junko Ogawa (Japanese) comments emailed directly to Japanese team. 4. Comments and observations from Course Units Language Coordinators: 4.1 Dr Christine Hoffmann (Mandarin): Well done to the Mandarin team who worked very well together this year. 4.2 Dr So Hiranuma (Japanese): There was increase in student numbers for Japanese this year; in the past we have had small class sizes at higher levels, but now e are building up the intermediate and advanced level courses. There could be a discrepancy in the low level Oral exams between the students who took their exam in term 2 (before Easter) and those who took the exam in term 3. There was less preparation time in term 2 and some students gave a poorer performance than expected. Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes 
Dates for Oral exams can be reviewed, however taking the exam after Easter could also be seen as a disadvantage as students will not have had classes for 4 weeks and so would be out of regular practice, especially for beginners. 4.3 Mireille Michel (French): Welcome to our new External Examiner, Sibylle Moulin who has been very inspiring and thanks to the French team who have been very supportive of one another. Huge thanks also to Dr Christine Hoffmann. There has been positive feedback from students in the advanced level courses about the cultural events organised by our Events officer. There was a good framework set by the Course Units office for the exams and marking period which worked particularly well this year. 4.4 Anja Boeing (German): this was a good year for German with courses running for all levels as well as 5 levels for SSCs (classes for medical students). Thanks to the team, especially to our new tutors Dr Julia Schoeke and to Dominik Dengler who taught the medics SSC language classes. The team worked well together. 4.5 Luay Hasan (Arabic): It has been a successful but also stressful year for Arabic. There has been good progress with the courses this year: more classes, more students. Thanks to the other Language Coordinators, to the administration and to the Arabic team – including thanks to the Language Centre Evening course tutors (who are not a part of the Course Units team) who helped and advised with certain issues. 4.6 James Sinclair‐Knopp (English for Academic Purposes Course Units): Thanks to Dr Ian McGrath, to the tutors on the English Course Units team and to Dr Christine Hoffmann and the administration team. Once again there were a number of Erasmus students on the courses this year; they do no gain ECTS points (European Credit Transfer Scheme) for taking these courses and so perhaps lack motivation. There is the possibility of offering another EAP course unit, which could be in place for 2011‐2012. Chair noted that it has been especially interesting for James to attend the Course Units Senior Coordinators meetings when to review exam papers, as he can then discuss ideas with EAP colleagues to help improve the format and consistency of English for Academic Purposes exam papers. 4.7 Roberto D’Onofrio (Italian): This has been a challenging year with two new courses offered in Italian (Italian for Art Historians and Translation Skills). There has been positive feedback from students. Thanks to the Italian and to Dr Christine Hoffmann. 4.8 Fernando Gracia‐Garcia (Spanish): It has been very nice to work with our new External Examiner Karen Kruse, who has been very thorough and complimentary. The team has made a lot more time to meet this year, which has been good and has improved things. Thanks to Dr Christine Hoffmann. 4.9 Madeleine du Vivier (TEFL): It has been a good and interesting year for TEFL, with two new members of staff, Rachel Clarke and David Albury. There has been a good range of marks and of students. There have been some very useful comments from our External Examiner; it is great when an examiner can pinpoint and pick up on issues that the team have already noted during the year. 5.
CONFIRMATION OF COURSE UNITS RESULTS 5.1 Adam Salisbury explained Referred Assessment to all, whereby continuing students on the new harmonised scheme, where they have gained a mark between 35% and 39% will be given an additional (supplementary) assessment over the summer in order to give the Board of Examiners the information it needs to make a pass/fail judgement on the student’s overall performance in that module. Should the student choose to take the referred assessment and pass, they will be awarded a mark of 40; or they can refuse the offer of referred assessment and re‐enter at the next normal opportunity, if all re‐sit attempts have not already been used, and gain the actual mark gained. Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes We should offer any such assessments by early September 2010 as results must be communicated to the UCL exams section by 17 September 2010. 5.2
Adam Salisbury explained the procedures for categorising Extenuating Circumstances; it was noted that it is normal procedure to not change marks unless they are borderline. We will discuss and confirm any cases as we reach the relevant course. 5.3 SYLLABUS A: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish 0.5 Course Units LCAR6001: Results approved; LCFR6001 Results approved; LCGE6001 Results approved; LCIT6001 Results approved; LCJA6001 Results approved; LCMA6001 Results approved; LCSP6001 Results approved. 
The coursework marks for LCAR6001 Arabic Level A were very high this year – this was also addressed by the External Examiner however was not fully actioned by the team; 
For LCMA6001 Mandarin Level A one student had not written their seat number or candidate number on their exam script. We are awaiting confirmation that it is the correct candidate. 
LCSP6001: Extenuating Circumstance, category 3 for candidate NJQP6. This is not a borderline mark and so agreed that mark remains as 43% 5.4 SYLLABUS B Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish 0.5 and 1.0 Course Units LCAR6002 Results approved; LCFR6002 Results approved; LCGE6002 Results approved; LCIT6002 Results approved; LCJA6002 Results approved; LCMA6002 Results approved; LCSP6002 Results approved. LCAR6012 Results approved; LCFR6012 Results approved; LCGE6012 Results approved; LCIT6012 Results approved; LCJA6012 Results approved; LCMA6012 Results approved; LCSP6012 Results approved 
LCGE6002: Extenuating Circumstances, category 3 for candidate MNZD6. This is not a borderline mark and so agreed that marks remains at 45% 5.5 SYLLABUS C Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish 0.5 and 1.0 Course Units LCAR6003 Results approved; LCFR6003 Results approved; LCGE6003 Results approved; LCIT6003 Results approved; LCJA6003 Results approved; LCSP6003 Results approved; LCAR6023 Results approved; LCFR6023 Results approved; LCGE6023 Results approved; LCIT6023 Results approved; LCJA6023 Results approved; LCSP6023 Results approved. 
LCMA6023: Extenuating Circumstances submitted for candidate NLYQ5, however candidate has now deferred the Reading and Writing exam to 2010‐2011. 5.6 SYLLABUS D French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish 0.5 and 1.0 Course Units LCFR6004 Results approved; LCGE6004 Results approved; LCIT6004 Results approved; LCJA6004 Results approved; LCMA6004 Results approved; LCSP6004 Results approved; LCFR6034 Results approved; LCGE6034 Results approved; LCIT6034 Results approved; LCJA6034 Results approved; LCMA6034 Results approved; LCSP6034 Results approved. 
LCSP6034: Extenuating Circumstances, category 3 for candidate QVQQO. This is not a borderline mark and so agreed that mark remains as 66%. 5.7 BUSINESS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish 0.5 Course Units French, German, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish 1.0 Course Units LCFR6005 Results approved; LCGE6005 Results approved; LCIT6005 Results approved; LCJA6005 Results approved; LCMA6005 Results approved; LCSP6005 Results approved; LCFR6045 Results approved; LCGE6045Results approved; LCJA6045 Results approved; LCMA6045 Results approved; LCSP6045 Results approved. Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes 
LCFR6045: Extenuating Circumstances, category 2 for candidate PMGJ7. This is not a borderline mark and so agreed that mark remains as 64% 5.8 CURRENT AFFAIRS AND CULTURE (Social, Historical and Political) French, German, Japanese and Spanish 0.5 Course Units French, German, Italian and Spanish 1.0 Course Units LCFR6006 Results approved; LCGE6006 Results approved; LCJA6006 Results approved; LCSP6006 Results approved; LCFR6056 Results approved; LCGE6056 Results approved; LCIT6056 Results approved; LCSP6056 Results approved. 
LCIT6056: Extenuating Circumstances, category 2 for candidate PMGJJ. It is not possible to raise the mark by 10% and so agreed that mark remains as 60%. 5.9 PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES II French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish 0.5 Course Units French, Italian and Spanish 1.0 Course Units LCFR6007 Results approved; LCGE6007 Results approved; LCIT6007 Results approved; LCJA6007 Results approved; LCSP6007 Results approved; LCFR6067 Results approved; LCIT6067 Results approved; LCSP6067 Results approved. 5.10 Academic Purposes – Introduction French 0.5 Course Unit LCFR6803 Results approved 
LCFR6803: Extenuating Circumstances, category 2 for candidate QPHY7. This is not a borderline mark and is a grade A, so agreed that mark remains as 73% 5.11 ACADEMIC PURPOSES II French, German and Spanish 0.5 and 1.0 Course Units LCFR6807 Results approved; LCGE6807 Results approved; LCSP6807 Results approved; LCFR6867 Results approved; LCGE6867 Results approved; LCSP6867 Results approved. 
Exam irregularity for LCFR6807 for candidate QVKP7: it was reported that some paper fell from the candidate’s coat during the exam. It has been a long process but would seem the mark will go forward, this is to be confirmed. 5.12 TRANSLATION SKILLS French, German, Italian and Spanish 0.5 Course Units LCFR6907 Results approved; LCGE6907 Results approved; LCIT6907 Results approved; LCSP6907 Results approved. 5.13 FRENCH FOR ART HISTORIANS 0.5 COURSE UNIT LCFA6801 Results approved 5.14 ITALIAN FOR ART HISTORIANS 0.5 COURSE UNIT LCIA6801 Results approved 
Extenuating Circumstances, category 1 for candidate PBTZ9. The candidate has a borderline mark of 58% so this could be raised to 60%. The tutor for the course feels that a mark of 60 would be too generous and that the mark gained accurately reflects the work. Agreed that mark remains at 58% Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes 5.15 ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS 0.5 COURSE UNIT LCEN6001 Results approved 
There are two results of LA; two exams still to be marked. Results to follow. 5.16 ACADEMIC WRITING IN ENGLISH FOR NON‐NATIVE SPEAKER’S 0.5 COURSE UNIT LCEN6801 Results approved 5.17 TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUGE 1.0 COURSE UNIT LCTE7900 Results approved 6.
CONFIRMATION OF SSC RESULTS 6.1 SYLLABUS A Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish SSC’s All results approved 6.2 SYLLABUS B Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish SSC’s All results approved 6.3 SYLLABUS C French, Mandarin and Spanish SSC’s All results approved 6.4 SYLLABUS D French, German, Japanese and Spanish SSC’s All results approved 6.5 BUSINESS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS French, German, Mandarin and Spanish SSC’s All results approved 
LCFM6005: Extenuating Circumstances, category 1 for student number 901550. This is not a borderline mark and is already a grade A, agreed that mark remains as 73% 6.6 CURRENT AFFAIRS AND CULTURE French and German SSC’s Result approved 7. DATES FOR 2010‐2011 7.1 Provisional date for the next Board of Examiners meeting – Wednesday 15 June 2011 8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 8.1 Farewell to Alessia Cogo who has been the External Examiner for Italian for 4 years. Meeting closed at 12.40. Course Units Administrator +44 (0)20 7679 5481 25 June 2010 Course Units Board of Examiners Meeting 2010‐06‐09 ‐ Minutes