Sec. V English as a Second Language (Enriched) Exam: How to Prepare

The exam consists of an introductory task (mandatory, but not assessed) and a reinvestment and writing component.

The introductory task involves reading the texts contained in the Preparation Booklet. Your child will also be asked to listen to an audio recording and discuss it in English with other students.

Then, for the reinvestment and writing component, your child will have 3 consecutive hours to write an approximately 400-word feature article in English intended for a web magazine. Their article must reflect the angle specified on the exam and be based on the texts read and listened to during the introductory task. This will demonstrate their ability to reinvest—in other words, apply—their understanding of these texts.

The Secondary V uniform examination for English as a Second Language, Enriched Program, is designed to evaluate the following competencies:

• Competency 2: Reinvests understanding of the texts
• Competency 3: Writes and produces texts

To help your child feel positive about the exam and better organize their study sessions, remind them that they will be evaluated on their ability to the following:

• Write an original and coherent feature article (C2 and C3)
• Draw relevant information and ideas from the text in the Preparation Booklet and the audio recording (C2)
• Analyze the topic from the prescribed angle (C2)
• Adapt content to the purpose of the piece and the target audience (C2)
• Use the constituent elements (headings, subheadings, quotations, images, text boxes, etc.) required to structure and enrich the article (C3)
• Use proper vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and spelling (C3)
• Use appropriate language and incorporate figures of speech (C3)

During the introductory task of the compulsory EESL examination, your child will be allowed to use the following materials:

• Preparation Booklet received during the introductory task
• Standard English dictionary
• Bilingual dictionary (English and another language)

During the reinvestment and writing component, the following materials will be allowed:

• Preparation Booklet, annotated according to the instructions
• Standard English dictionary
• Bilingual dictionary (English and another language)
• Thesaurus
• Grammar rule book or textbook (must not include any text that could be used verbatim or as a model)

All digital devices (cellphones, smartwatches, etc.) are strictly prohibited during the exam.

Annotating the texts in the Preparation Booklet is recommended, but your child must be careful not to write complete sentences that might look like part of the article they’re being asked to write. If they do, their Preparation Booklet will be invalidated, and they won’t be able to use it during the exam.

By Secondary V, your child will be somewhat used to writing exams. Nonetheless, you may want to remind them of these crucial steps:

• Treat the subject from the prescribed angle The angle will not be revealed until the day of the exam, so it’s impossible, and prohibited, to write the article in advance.
• Make sure the article is addressed to the right audience and that the content and language is appropriate.
• Use relevant and interesting headings and subheadings to structure the article.
• Use at least one direct or indirect quote and two other relevant supplementary elements (quotes, images, or sidebars). 

You can also remind your child to do the following:

• Rephrase information from the Preparation Booklet and the audio recording in their own words rather than copying sentences directly from the text (except for quotes).
• Use reference materials (dictionaries, grammar book, etc.) when revising their work.

As with any other exam, putting in the effort to study is essential to doing well on the EESL exam. To help your child prepare, you can help them do the following:

• Research and write down two or three quotes related to the topic. They will have to use at least one in their text. Remind them to use quotation marks and to identify the author.
• Practise using additional tools to enrich the text (quotations, images, or text boxes). 
• Thoroughly understand the texts in the Preparation Booklet and the audio recording they’ll listen to before the exam.

To help your child prepare for the exam and ensure they have a good grasp of the various concepts learned in class, encourage them to consult the resource below:

• Alloprof’s overview of the Secondary V EESL exam.