Sports Diver Theory test - available in other languages?

[starfishdiver]

Hi
Does anyone know if it is possible to get different language versions of the sports diver theory test (and answers)? I am primarily looking for Polish, but then curiosity got the better of me and I wondered if other languages were also available?

[Michael Purcell]

We have asked this question and been told that the number of non-English speakers vs the cost makes it prohibitive. (whether that is the final answer or not...) We were looking for it for some of our South African members.

So I believe the answer is no, but someone with a definite answer will be along.

[TerryH]

Hi
Does anyone know if it is possible to get different language versions of the sports diver theory test (and answers)? I am primarily looking for Polish, but then curiosity got the better of me and I wondered if other languages were also available?

This may seem a silly question, but if the Manual and student notes arent
in Polish what point the exam?

Surely if they can manage that then the only thing you need to do is
extend the timing off the exam.

We've had many foreign students where english is not there first langauge
and the simple awnser is to double the time for the exam.

[starfishdiver]

As we all know, some of the questions on the theory exams are not that clear, even to native English speakers, so heaven only knows what someone whose first language isn't English would make of them. I think understanding and reading the notes when not under pressure in your own time is one thing, but taking an exam in another language - even if the time allowed is doubled, is quite another. And hence my question about whether the exams were available in other languages - I can definitely see the point in having these available in other languages, even if the rest of the notes aren't.

[TerryH]

As we all know, some of the questions on the theory exams are not that clear, even to native English speakers, so heaven only knows what someone whose first language isn't English would make of them. I think understanding and reading the notes when not under pressure in your own time is one thing, but taking an exam in another language - even if the time allowed is doubled, is quite another. And hence my question about whether the exams were available in other languages - I can definitely see the point in having these available in other languages, even if the rest of the notes aren't.

I can remember the old
"what depth a Sports diver can dive to"

Awnser = 50m
Sports not Sport :(

But even if they get that one wrong, if I asked the question later.
What depth Ocean 20m
What depth Sport 35m
What max depth any other grades 50m

Then as long as they knew, they'd get it marked right, even if the exam
awnser itself was wrong.

[Michael Purcell]

The one thing we haved done for our arabic students have been to give them an oral exam. That was very successful.

A question about the suggestion to double the time...if it is OK to double the time for them, why should there be a time limit to start with? (Not trolling...just discussing)

[LindaN]

As we all know, some of the questions on the theory exams are not that clear, even to native English speakers, so heaven only knows what someone whose first language isn't English would make of them. I think understanding and reading the notes when not under pressure in your own time is one thing, but taking an exam in another language - even if the time allowed is doubled, is quite another. And hence my question about whether the exams were available in other languages - I can definitely see the point in having these available in other languages, even if the rest of the notes aren't.


Well, you can always comfort yourself with that BSAC isn't alone in having unclear questions. I still remember one question in my PADI -OW that got the instruktor mumbling and ended up with 3 persons trying to figure out what they actually was asking for! :)

[richard scarsbrook]

A question about the suggestion to double the time...if it is OK to double the time for them, why should there be a time limit to start with? (Not trolling...just discussing)

Quote from the Instructor Manual: "The time allowed for each paper is not critical. If necessary students can be allowed extra time, within reason."

The times are there for guidance in scheduling the exam, and in judging whether a student is really struggling. There is quite a large guidance section on theory assessments in the new Instructor Manual, beginning on page 5. If you haven't already seen it, have a look.