GSLPA (English)

The Graduating Students’ Language Proficiency Assessment for English Language (GSLPA (English)), is a test of English language proficiency taken by undergraduate students in their final year of study. It is administered by the [http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/ English Language Centre] at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Along with the [http://www.gslpa.cbs.polyu.edu.hk/site/select.asp?lang=en GSLPA (Chinese)] it constitutes the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Language and General Education requirement for first degree students. It is also open to alumni of the university.

GSLPA (English) characteristics

• GSLPA (English) consists of two tests the Written Language Test (WLT) and the Spoken Language Test (SLT) within which candidates’ ability to listen, read, write and speak in English are tested.

• Assessment levels are used for each test, ranging from 1 to 6 with ‘+’ grades used to indicate a level between two of the levels.

• Both tests run twice a year, once in each university semester, usually in November-December and April-May. Candidates can take both tests in one semester or one in either semester.

• Candidates are issued with two certificates, one for each test.

• Candidates are allowed to re-take either or both tests if they wish to try to improve their grades.

GSLPA (English) Test Structure

Written Language Test

The Written Language Test contains two tasks. Each task requires the test taker to use both reading and writing skills. Any topic may be included that recent graduates could expect to meet in routine written communication in professional employment.

Task A

Candidates have to write a fairly straightforward piece of correspondence related to the workplace. They have 35 minutes to write about 150 words in response to either an internal memo or a professional letter or other professional correspondence. The writing may form part of a report. It does not require specialist background knowledge.

The task includes functions such as:

• A request, an invitation, an application or a set of instructions

• A justification, explanation or description

• Closing the text

Task B

Candidates have to produce a second piece of writing, also related to the workplace, where they have to explain or discuss some kind of problem. This task is more complex than Task A in both content and language, and requires candidates to demonstrate sensitivity to the context and audience of the writing.

The writing may be in the form of a professional letter, a relatively complex memo or part of a report. It does not require specialist background knowledge, although it does require candidates to think carefully about the content of what they write and the way they write it.

Candidates have 45 minutes to write about 200 words in response to a fairly short task prompt.

The task includes functions such as:

• Stating the purpose of writing

• Description, explanation, suggestion, recommendation, complaint, apology, justification, negotiation, reassurance

• Closing the text

Spoken Language Test

The Spoken Language Test takes place in a language laboratory and lasts for approximately 45 minutes.

It includes five tasks, each with a different general function and purpose. Normal rates of speech are used throughout the test. Each task requires the candidate to use both listening and speaking skills.The tasks used reflect the professional communicative demands of a workplace setting. The candidate is assumed to be about to enter his/her first year of professional employment.

Task 1: Summary of an Interview Candidates listen to an interview, take notes, and then provide a summary of the information given in the interview. After listening to the interview, they are given time to plan what they are going to say. They have two minutes to speak their answer.

Task 2: InterviewCandidates answer questions as part of an interview. A short background text is provided to help candidates to prepare for the interview. They are asked 4 questions and have about forty seconds to answer each question.

Task 3: Oral PresentationCandidates provide an oral presentation of information from a written (graphic) source. They have some time to plan their answer and three minutes to speak.

Task 4: Phone MessageCandidates are asked to leave a telephone (or voice mail) message. They have some planning time and between thirty seconds and one minute to speak their answer.

Task 5: Describing an Aspect of Life in Hong KongCandidates listen to a brief conversation between two people. At least one of the speakers is a visitor to Hong Kong . One of the speakers asks a question about an aspect of life in Hong Kong . Candidates talk to this visitor informally, giving opinions and information in response to the question. They have some planning time and three minutes to speak their answer.

Assessment Levels

GSLPA (English) is scored on a six band scale. Grades with a '+' are also issued to indicate that the candidate's performance falls between two levels (e.g. '3+' means that the performance is between a '3' and a '4').

Written Language

"The full set of grades and descriptions are as follows":

W6Can produce clear, convincing, well-argued texts, using suitable tone and style. Vocabulary is precise and effective and grammar is well controlled. A highly proficient writer.

W5Can produce well-organised texts that communicate successfully and clearly on required tasks. Has generally good control of tone, style, vocabulary and sentence structure, despite some inaccuracies. A clearly competent writer.

W4Can produce relevant, interpretable and generally well-organised texts that address task requirements. Vocabulary is generally adequate, and grammatical errors do not obscure communication. A generally competent writer.

W3Can produce generally relevant and interpretable texts that show basic ability to organise content appropriately. Vocabulary is adequate to convey basic meanings and grammatical errors rarely prevent communication. A basic writer.

W2Can produce texts with some relevance to the task and some sense of organisation. Vocabulary and grammar are inconsistent, but allow meaning to be conveyed. A limited writer.

W1Has some grasp of basic forms of written English, although these may not be applied relevantly, appropriately or consistently. An elementary writer.

Spoken Language

"The full set of grades and descriptions are as follows":

S6Can speak clearly, precisely and confidently on a range of speaking tasks, using complex language when necessary. Speech is effortless for listener to follow.

S5Can communicate successfully, clearly and with confidence on a range of speaking tasks, generally using precise language. Speech is easy to follow throughout.

S4Can convey meaning successfully on a range of speaking tasks, despite inaccuracies or limitations in vocabulary. Speech is generally confident and smooth and though there may be minor problems, the message can be followed.

S3Can convey meaning on a limited range of speaking tasks, but is sometimes hesitant. Despite inaccuracies, unevenness in pronunciation and/or limitations in vocabulary, speech is mainly comprehensible.

S2Can convey basic meaning in some situations, although there are frequent pauses and hesitations, and ideas may lack organisation. Speech can be hard to follow.

S1Has some grasp of basic forms of spoken English, although speech is disjointed and very hard to follow.

See also

IELTS

TOEFL

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Higher Education in Hong Kong

University Grants Committee (Hong Kong)

External links

* [http://gslpa.polyu.edu.hk/eng/web/ Official GSLPA (English) website]
* [http://www.gslpa.cbs.polyu.edu.hk/site/select.asp?lang=en Official GSLPA (Chinese) website]
* [http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/ Official English Language Centre website]
* [http://www.polyu.edu.hk/cpa/polyu/main/main_e.php Official Hong Kong Polytechnic University website]