Help your child read sources carefully, use evidence wisely, and write with confidence.

The PEP Language Arts Performance Task is not an ordinary English test. Your child is given a set of sources on one topic, such as articles, tables, graphs or advertisements. First, they must answer research questions that test how well they understand and use the sources. Then they must write a well-organised piece that states a clear position and supports it with evidence from the sources, in their own words. Your child needs to know how to read, think and write the way the Performance Task requires.

That is exactly what this course teaches.

How your child learns

1. Read: understand each source and its main ideas
2. Research: find the evidence that supports a claim, and compare information across sources
3. Plan: organise ideas into a clear structure before writing
4. Write: state a clear opinion, explain the evidence in their own words, and check grammar, spelling and punctuation

What students will practise

• Reading and understanding different kinds of sources, including articles, tables, graphs and advertisements
• Choosing the evidence that best supports a claim
• Working out the meaning of words and phrases from context
• Identifying a writer’s main claim and purpose
• Comparing how the same information is presented in different sources
• Planning and writing well-organised essays, with clear paragraphs
• Using evidence in their own words, without copying
• Language conventions: grammar, spelling and punctuation

Course features

• Ministry of Education past Performance Task papers, with step-by-step explanations
• Step-by-step lessons that model how to approach the research questions and the writing task
• Practice Performance Tasks in the exam format
• Model answers and sample essays that show what a strong response looks like
• Explanations for every answer, so your child learns from every attempt
• Learn at your own pace, any time, on a computer, tablet or phone

Register for FREE today!
Sign up free and explore the course with your child. If you see it helping, simply upgrade for just US$20 per month to continue with full access.
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