Exam Specifications

Proficiency In Interpretive Reading (NSE)

 
 
 
Interpretive Communication – Reading Comprehension

 

 The National Spanish Examinations assess Interpretive Communication in Reading Comprehension.  The student is given (1) a context in English, (2) an authentic text in Spanish and (3) a question based on one of the learner outcomes below and then followed by four answer choices.  They learner outcomes increase in difficultly as the student progresses to higher levels.

Standard:  Interpretive Communication
Measurement Category:  Reading Comprehension

 

Learner Outcome: Given an authentic text written in Spanish, the learner will correctly _____.

Level of Instruction

1

2

3

4

5

6

Identify main ideas

x

x

x

x

x

x

Identify supporting details

x

x

x

x

x

x

Make an inference

 

 

x

x

x

x

Identify the intended audience of the text

 

 

 

x

x

x

Identify the purpose of the text

 

 

 

x

x

x

Identify the tone of the text

 

 

 

 

x

x

Identifies the point of view of the author

 

 

 

 

x

x

Comprehend content of interdisciplinary topics

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

 

Authentic texts are printed material / texts that have been produced by and for native speakers for a culturally authentic purpose.

 

Examples of authentic texts used on the National Spanish Examinations

  • A sign
  • Lists of words and phrases
  • A schedule
  • A personal note, letter, postcard
  • Instructions / directions
  • A posting on social media
  • Menus
  • Labels
  • An advertisement, poster or notice
  • A narrative
  • A brochure
  • An excerpt or passage from:
- an article
- a letter
- an essay
- a journal / diary
- a magazine
- a book or novel
- a news source
- an editorial
- a short story
- a poem
- a legend
- a fable
- a fairy tale
- a website
 

Proficiency In Interpretive Listening (NSE)

 
 
 
Interpretive Communication – Listening Comprehension

 

 The National Spanish Examinations assess Interpretive Communication in Listening Comprehension.  The student is given (1) a context in English, (2) an authentic spoken passage in Spanish and (3) a question based on one of the learner outcomes below and then followed by four answer choices.  They learner outcomes increase in difficultly as the student progresses to higher levels.

 

Standard:  Interpretive Communication
Measurement Category:  Listening Comprehension

 

Learner Outcome: Given an authentic spoken passage in Spanish, the learner will correctly _____.

Level of Instruction

1

2

3

4

5

6

Identify main ideas

x

x

x

x

x

x

Identify supporting details

x

x

x

x

x

x

Make an inference

 

 

x

x

x

x

Identify the intended audience of the text

 

 

 

x

x

x

Identify the purpose of the text

 

 

 

x

x

x

Identify the tone of the text

 

 

 

 

x

x

Identifies the point of view of the author

 

 

 

 

x

x

Comprehend content of interdisciplinary topics

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

 Authentic texts are spoken passages that have been produced by and for native speakers for a culturally authentic purpose.

 

Examples of authentic oral spoken passages used on the National Spanish Examinations:

 

  • A conversation
  • A description
  • An announcement
  • A set of instructions / directions
  • A film or video clip
  • An excerpt or passage from
- a news bulletin
- a radio broadcast
- a speech
- an article, a letter
- an essay, a magazine
- a book or novel
- a play
- a newspaper
- an editorial
- a short story
- a poem
- a legend
- a fable
- a fairy tale
- a website
 
 

Subcategories