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Booking Conditions
No applications for this program will be accepted after all vacancies have been filled. Unsuccessful applicants will have their monies refunded in full. Cancellation prior to two weeks before the program date (cut-off date) will incur a 15% service charge per applicant. This program will be payable in full for cancellations made on or after the cut-off date or for failure to attend the program. All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to us. In the event of insufficient applications this program will not proceed and registration monies be fully refunded. In the event of this program being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances registration monies only will be refunded as Critical Agendas will not accept liability for the payment of any other associated costs. Critical Agendas reserves the right to vary the advertised programs prior to commencement. Please note Critical Agendas reserves the right to transfer participants from face to face to webinar format with price adjustments (if required), should minimum numbers not be met for face to face event
Inside Language Acquisition Assessment: Examiner Insight to Classroom Impact (Year 11 and 12 IB diploma)
High-quality assessment is central to student success in Language B and Language Ab Initio, yet many educators continue to seek clarity, consistency, and confidence in applying IB criteria. This three-part professional learning series draws on examiner insight, evaluation experience, and over 18 years of teaching practice to bridge the gap between assessment theory and classroom implementation. Participants will deepen their understanding of criterion-referenced assessment, explore authentic student samples, and develop strategies that improve reliability while raising student achievement.
Designed for language educators, coordinators, and instructional leaders, the series supports schools in strengthening assessment literacy, aligning practices with IB Programme Standards and Practices, and fostering internationally minded learners. Each session is practical, interactive, and grounded in real classroom contexts, ensuring that participants leave with immediately transferable strategies to enhance teaching, learning, and student outcomes in language acquisition programmes.
Session 1: What Examiners Really Look For
This session demystifies the marking process by providing participants with direct insight into how examiners interpret and apply assessment criteria. Through the analysis of authentic student responses, educators will explore the distinguishing features of mid- and high-band performances and identify common misconceptions that can impact grading accuracy.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
- Interpret Language B and Ab Initio criteria with greater precision
- Recognise the characteristics of high-quality student responses
- Identify common assessment pitfalls
- Apply examiner-informed strategies to support student success
Session 2: Beyond the Rubric — Turning Criteria into Consistent Judgement
Moving from interpretation to application, this session focuses on strengthening reliability in teacher judgement. Participants will examine approaches to standardisation, moderation, and task design that promote fairness and consistency across classrooms while maintaining academic integrity.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
- Translate assessment criteria into classroom practice
- Implement effective moderation and calibration protocols
- Design authentic assessment tasks aligned with IB expectations
- Build a culture of assessment literacy within their departments
Session 3: From Assessment Literacy to Student Achievement
The final session connects strong assessment practice to measurable gains in student performance. Educators will explore targeted feedback strategies, methods for developing spontaneity in oral communication, and data-informed approaches that support grade progression.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
- Use feedback to move students between achievement bands
- Support linguistic complexity and confidence
- Monitor progress using assessment data
- Develop intervention strategies that improve outcomes
