Spanish / Japanese Provincial E-exams 2007-08

Currently in Vancouver:
•There are 4 schools offering Japanese 12 this year (12-26 ST)
• There are 5 schools offering Spanish 12 this year (5-22 ST)
• There are 7 schools offering Mandarin 12 this year. (no. unknown)
• There are 18 secondary schools offering French 12 this year (no. unknown)

Timeline:
2006-07: Japanese Eexams introduced
2007-08: Introduction of Spanish Eexams
2008-09: Introduction of Mandarin and French listening components of Eexams
2009-2010: Introduction of Mandarin and French oral components of Eexams

Facts:
• Schools must have the technological capability with headsets that have microphones for speaking into.
• A technical support person must be on site during the actual administration of the exam.
• It is not the expectation of the Min. of Ed. that Language teachers be SOLELY responsible for the administration of the Eexams.
• The Eexam can be administered by anyone, not only language teachers
• It takes 1 1⁄2 hours to administer the Eexam to 5-8 ST (without experiencing technical difficulties)
• It takes 2 1⁄2 -3 hours to mark - (@13 ST)
• There is no guarantee that the Eexam can be administered when a teacher attempts to invigilate it – as there can be technical difficulties, or difficulty accessing the web-site.
• Some teachers have encountered difficulties administering the Eexams because there is only one computer lab / and / or the computer labs are booked by others.
• Some Japanese teachers were directed to invigilate and mark these Eexams in addition to their regular Prov. Exam supervision.

VSTA Recommendations:
• That the administration of the Eexams be incorporated into to the regular Prov. Exam schedule and that the invigilation of the Eexam be counted as that teacher’s portion of exam supervision.
• That the marking of the Modern Languages Eexams be voluntary and remunerated in keeping with the current practice for SS11 and Eng 10 Prov. Exams.Other:
• There are concerns regarding the increase in exam supervision by adding the Eexams…this should be all right for the Spanish and Japanese Eexams, however, once Mandarin and French are added over the next 2 years, it may be more efficient to hold these Eexams at a centralized location.

Sources:
- Vancouver Modern Language Department Heads and teachers
- BCATML – Eexam survey (available at bcatml.org)
- SATML , Nihongo.BC, letters sent to Min. of Education
- Meetings with Britta Gunderson-Bryden– Min. of Education
- Ministry of Education letter sent to all Principals 2006
- VSTA letter sent to K. Denike Nov. 07
- Teacher feedback through VSTA, BCATML, SATML, NihongoBC