Delta Exam Module One: Language Analysis

• The materials on the site are useful for Delta exam preparation, especially those focusing on language analysis.
• The guide provides an overview of the exam and examiner's advice on what to avoid in Module One.

Paper One Marking Scheme

• Paper One is worth 50% of the total 200 marks.
• Task 1: 6 marks
• Task 2: 12 marks
• Task 3: 12 marks
• Task 4: 20 marks
• Task 5: 50 marks
• Time allocation should match the marking scheme, with Task 5 being allocated the most time.

Task 1: Labelling

• Requires providing the correct term for six ELT-related definitions.
• Allocate no more than 5 minutes to this task (6% of marks).
• Each correct definition is worth 1 mark.
• Guess if unsure rather than leaving blank.
• Avoid:
  • Writing multiple answers.
  • Misspelling answer.
  • Not answering all questions.
  • Giving an example.
  • Using lay term.

Task 2: Short Written-Response

• Requires a definition and an example for each of the four terms
• Allocate no more than 10 minutes to this task (12% of marks).
• Each correct definition is worth 2 marks (8 marks total).
• Each correct example is worth 1 mark (4 marks total).
• Avoid:
  • Providing example without a definition or vice versa.
  • Providing incomplete or vague definition.
  • Providing more than one example.
  • Including information not required.
  • Using terms used with students.
  • Not answering all questions.

Preparing for Tasks 1 and 2

• Review in-service guides, defining technical terms and providing unique examples.
• Use book indices to test knowledge of terms, focusing on different areas each day.
• Utilize grammar glossaries to reinforce understanding of basic grammar and structure at Delta level.

Task 3: Longer Written Answer

• Requires analysis of published ELT materials.
• Identify language features learners need to complete a task successfully.
• The task is slightly variable so read the rubric carefully.
• Allocate no more than 10 minutes to this task (12% of marks).
• Avoid:
  • Not knowing spoken and written text features.
  • Not reading the rubric.
  • Repeating features from the rubric.
  • Providing more than three abilities/skills.
  • Repeating points.
  • Providing point without example or vice versa.
  • Using pre-learnt points.
  • Giving incomplete examples.
  • Using the same example twice.
  • Waffling.
  • Providing ideas above the learner's level.
  • Being disorganised.

Task 4: Longer Written Response

• Requires analysis of a learner's spoken or written language.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in the language used.
• Draw on error guides.
• Requires 35 minutes (40% of the marks).
• Each strength/weakness is worth 3 marks (12 marks total).
• Each example is worth 2 marks (8 marks total).
• Avoid:
  • Misreading the rubric.
  • Identifying more than four strengths or weaknesses.
  • Omitting strengths or weaknesses.
  • Ignoring the learner's level.
  • Giving more than one example.
  • Writing in prose.
  • Being unclear if feature is a strength or weakness.

Task 5: Longer Written Response

• Requires identification of genre features in an authentic text.
• Explain the form, meaning, use, and phonological features of language items.
• Follow rubric instructions regarding the number of features to discuss and what to exclude.
• Requires 45 minutes (50% of marks).
• One mark per correct point.
• Examiners may not be able to distinguish between a genre and text type.
• Avoid:
  • Writing too much
  • Explaining why features are included.
  • Merely stating the line number.

Preparing for Tasks 3, 4, and 5

• Collaboration with fellow Delta candidates is encouraged.
• Task 3:
  • Analyze course materials to identify learner abilities required for tasks.
• Task 4:
  • Review learner texts to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Task 5:
  • Practice identifying genres in different texts.
  • Consider field, tenor, and mode of discourse.
  • Analyze language features such as circumstances, adverbials, modality, tense, verbs, and lexis.