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WPA Schedule and Instructions

Schedule

Electronic WPA Calendar(May 30-June 4, 2019) - Paper WPA Calendar (May 30 - June 4, 2019) - WPA OAE Accomodations List

Overview

WPAs (electronic) are conducted in the Digital Language Lab on the first floor of Lathrop Library. Paper format WPAs are given in the course's regular classroom.

The WPA (Writing Proficiency Assessment) is carried out by the Stanford Language Center and is designed to measure the writing proficiency of students who take first- and second-year (and some third-year) -LANG courses. The assessment measures what students can do functionally with the language, and consist of real-life writing tasks.

The WPA takes 30-45 minutes to complete and is given during a regular class hour. Tasks are similar to the types of hands-on writing activities students routinely do in and for class throughout the quarter, since these reflect the functional objectives of the course.

For that reason, the best way to prepare is to practice those objectives through regular and active participation in your language course. Some WPA tasks will be easier, others more challenging. Regardless, the important thing is to write as much and as well as you can, and show what you can do.

Taking a WPA

Instructor Responsibilities for WPAs

  • Make sure everyone is here, tell us who isn’t.
  • Help students with typing questions.
  • Give a time update at 15 min, when they should move to Item 2.
  • Give a time update at 40 min, when they have 5 min left.

Instructor Responsibilities for WPAs (short form)

  • Make sure everyone is here, tell us who isn’t.
  • Help students with typing questions.
  • Give a time update at 7 min, when they should move to Item 8.
  • Give a time update at 25 min, when they have 5 min left.

Make-up Tests

There is no provision for make-up tests for the WPA or eWPA.