Asset Languages qualifications are designed to reward language skills for learners of all ages and abilities by measuring them against the DCSF Languages Ladder of proficiency.
The DCSF Languages Ladder of proficiency maps language competence across the 4 skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) over six stages: Breakthrough, Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency and Mastery. Each stage is then broken down into three narrower grades. These grades now match the National Curriculum levels which are used to describe pupils’ attainment across the curriculum and reported to parents at the end of Key Stage 3 of secondary school (Year 9).
The grades are expressed in “Can do” statements in English which describe what learners can do at certain levels, in terms of actual outcomes, for example, 'I can talk about my plans for the future.' The ladder is context-free so there are no prescribed topics, which allows teachers to develop language skills within the contexts most relevant to them.
Achievement of Asset language qualifications in 4 skills at Intermediate stage is an alternative form of accreditation to a higher tier GCSE which ensures the same 20% measure for mainstream schools. Achievement in 2 skills is the equivalent of a short course GCSE. Achievement in 4 skills at Preliminary stage is the points equivalent of a foundation tier GCSE.
Assessment
Two forms of assessment are provided: teacher assessment for recognition of achievement at each grade and external assessment at each stage for an OCR qualification.
If you wish to offer teacher assessment, you do not need to register as an OCR centre. You can purchase a Teacher Assessment Pack straightaway and get going.
The teacher assessment element consists of short tasks which are carried out in the classroom, as part of day-to day activities. It provides a way for teachers to reward progress in a form that is comparable with other schools and is transferable from primary to secondary school and beyond.
See the table below to find out the availability of packs in each language:
Teacher assessment pack availability 2009
| Languages available | Stages available |
|---|---|
| * At Breakthrough Stage packs are available for these languages in three contexts: Primary, Secondary and Post-16 | |
| Bengali, Chinese (Cantonese), French (through the medium of Welsh), Gujarati, Hindi, Irish, Swedish, Tamil, Yoruba | Breakthrough |
| Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Greek (Modern), Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh | Breakthrough and Preliminary |
| Italian*, Panjabi | Breakthrough, Preliminary and Intermediate |
| French*, German*, Spanish* | Breakthrough, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced |
Asset Languages is also currently developing Intermediate teacher assessment packs for Arabic and Urdu.
The formal, external assessment process is a very flexible scheme. Each of the four skills, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, forms a separate qualification. So, pupils may be entered for examination at different stages of proficiency in different skills, which particularly suits community language candidates whose listening and speaking competence may exceed their reading and writing. For example a student who does not have the skills in reading and writing that are required for AS in which all four skills are tested, could instead sit Advanced Asset Languages in just 2 skills, speaking and listening.
You may have learners who have studied a particular community language at Key Stage 3 during years 7-9 but who are not planning to continue with a language at GCSE. They could take Asset Languages external assessments to obtain valid qualifications that recognise the skills they have developed so far.
Additionally, Asset Languages at any stage can be added for learners in Years 12 and 13 to enhance other subject combinations, without the pressure of a whole additional 'course'.
An element of language learning would sit attractively with a range of vocational courses including the new 14-19 Diplomas
Asset Languages qualifications can be considered as part of a University application. Grades 10, 11 and 12 (Advanced) now carry UCAS points for each skill.
The tests can be taken at four different points in the academic year: November, March, May and June. Tests are available at these times in the following languages and stages:
External assessment availability 2009
| Languages available | Stages available |
|---|---|
| * Intermediate Cornish, Somali, Swedish, Tamil and Yoruba and Advanced Hindi from June 2009 | |
| Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), French, German, Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu | Breakthrough, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced |
| Bengali, Cornish, Gujarati, Hindi, Irish, Panjabi, Somali, Swedish, Tamil, Welsh and Yoruba | Breakthrough, Preliminary and Intermediate |
