Provides information about the current state of examinations equivalent to A-level in France and Germany. This article is the second in a series offering a comparative view of assessment patterns so as to inform the debate about the future development of A-level. The article covers years 11, 12 and 13 of the German School System. (five references)…

Evaluates the International Baccalaureate (IB), a preuniversity, post-16, 2-year diploma. The IB contains four language features: communication and interaction, responsibility and transparency, language skills and contents related to the aims, and integration of program and assessment. The program compares favorably at higher levels with…

Overviews government policy of national coordination aimed at achieving broad agreements on curriculum objectives for the General Certificate for Secondary Education and providing examinations reflecting that agreement. This article also presents the experience of teachers and examiners regarding the validity of the government's claim as to the…

Describes an inservice course for sixth-form teachers to examine ways of moving away from course books and discussing ways of getting pupils to be more competent orally, especially in the context of discussion issues as opposed to general conversation. Two intensive courses were used as the basis for the inservice day. (CK)