Q: Is Asset Languages a recognised qualification? Yes - Asset Languages external qualifications are accredited by the regulatory authorities QCA, DCELLS and CCEA. Q: How much does the Asset Languages scheme cost? There is a full fees list available in the Centres/fees page of the site.
Q: Is Asset Languages eligible for LSC Further Education funding? Asset Languages is eligible for LSC funding. Guidance on codes for is set out below. Whether your local LSC will award funding will depend on local priorities and the Strategic Area Review. Externally Assessed Aims: For externally assessed aims the appropriate National Qualifications Framework (NQF) code should be used, these are available on the Learning Aim Database (LAD). Teacher Assessed Aims: Class codes have been created on the LAD for the aims that are being teacher assessed.
Q: How many guided learning hours are there for each qualification? QCA has agreed to 30 hours for each skill at Breakthrough Stage, 40 hours at each of Preliminary and Intermediate Stages and 50 at Advanced Stage. This is merely an indicative guide –centres are encouraged to create courses to suit their learners. Q: Do Asset Languages qualifications qualify for UCAS points? Following gaining the support of 30 UCAS member institutions, we have formally applied to UCAS for Asset Languages to be included on the UCAS tariff. At present, UCAS has suspended submission to the tariff whilst it reviews the tariff structure. We hope to have further news of the status of the application once the review has been concluded in 2008 Q: Is Asset Languages the same as The Languages Ladder? No, but they are connected - the Languages Ladder is the DCSF' scale of languages ability. Asset Languages is OCR's name for the suite of qualifications which assess learners against the Ladder. Q: Why 'Asset' Languages? The Asset Languages name has developed both from the word assessment and the appreciation that languages skills can be an asset to everyone. Q: Who can take Asset Languages qualifications? Asset Languages is available to all students - from primary to adult learners. Q: Is Asset Languages a direct replacement to GCSEs and A Levels?
Not at all. GCSE and GCE will continue. It is possible that some students may respond better to the flexibility and bite-sized nature of Asset Languages assessments (e.g. to enter of one or more skills)rather than GCSE/GCE format of a final exam after two years. Q: What is Asset Languages? Asset Languages is a way of recognising and rewarding achievement in languages learning from OCR. The Asset Languages assessment scheme supports the Government's National Languages Strategy and is designed to provide voluntary accreditation options for learners of all ages and abilities from primary to further, higher and adult education.
Q: Which languages are available? There is assessment material available in each of the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Cornish, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh and Yoruba. (Check the availability page for exact stages and formats) Q: What levels do Asset Languages qualifications cover? The stages relate to the National Qualifications Framework in the following ways: Breakthrough: Grades 1-3 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Entry Level 1-3. Preliminary: Grades 4-6 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Level 1. Intermediate: Grades 7-9 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Level 2.
Q: How is the Asset Languages assessment structured? Asset Languages is built around a flexible combination of teacher assessment and external assessment, offering classroom-based ‘assessment for learning’ and demand-led external testing, throughout the year. Each of the four skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing, forms a separate qualification.
Q: What do the students actually study? Is there a course? Asset Languages qualifications are designed as a measure of proficiency, rather than to assess any particular programme of study. Q: Our school is new to teaching languages - help! The National Centre for Languages (CILT), 3rd Floor, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HR, telephone 0207 379 5101, can assist with information on appropriate resources for language teaching. http://www.cilt.org.uk/
Q: Can our centre just enter students for external assessment without purchasing the Teacher Assessment Packs? Yes, Asset Languages can be taken in almost exactly the same way as a conventional examination. Q: What is an NCN number? If your centre enters candidates for GCSE/GCE/GNVQ qualifications then it will have an National Centre Number. If you are unsure of this, please contact your Exams Officer. If you don't have an NCN as you don't offer these qualifications, don't worry! Q: Where is the syllabus? Is there a specification? There is no specific syllabus. Asset Languages is designed to fit in with existing courses. Language Specifications providing a guide to the languages function and purpose are available from the specifications page in the 'About' section.
The Stage Guides on the home page of the About section will also be useful. Q: What happens if a Centre Coordinator has to pass the role onto another member of staff? Do they have to go on another training session?
As we regularly update our training sessions to accommodate new developments in the Asset Languages service, we would strongly recommend that each new Centre Coordinator attend a training session. It is free and would ensure your centre always has has the most up-to-date information for this important role. Q: We want to run Community Languages Speaking Tests but we don't have an Accredited Teacher - what shall we do? From September 2007 it will no longer be necessary to have a Speaking Assessor to carry out Asset Languages external assessment of Speaking. Speaking tests will still need to be marked and standardised in the centre. Q: Are there any marking criteria for speaking and writing external assessments?
Yes, marking criteria are provided in the Stage Guides. These are available from the About section of the site. Q: Does Asset Languages link to the KS2 Framework?
The scheme has been checked against the KS2 Framework objectives and there is a good correspondence between them. In particular, the structure of the Framework and the Asset Languages teacher assessment tasks lend themselves to being used together. Q: Can we use Asset Languages to assess candidates at KS3? Yes - either teacher assessment or external assessment grades can be used. There is a guide available from the Teachers section of the website on the Secondary Teachers page. Q: Will Asset Languages qualifications count for the new DCSF Performance Table indicators for Modern Foreign Languages in 2008? Yes, Asset Languages qualifications count at Level 1 (Preliminary) and Level 2 (Intermediate). Please see details on the DCSF website or on the Governors page of the Asset website. Q: How do I get hold of a Teacher Assessment Pack? You just need to place an order. Go to ‘About Asset’ and then ‘Availability’ to see whether the pack you want is available and to download an order form. Q: How do I become an Accredited Teacher? When you purchase a Teacher Assessment Pack, self-access training materials accompany the Pack. You can complete these in your own time and then send them back to OCR to be marked. This training is optional and is ONLY required if you wish to offer Grade Awards to your students for the completion of Teacher Assessment tasks. For more information, see Teachers/Become Accredited section of the website. Q: How do I purchase Grade Awards? Grade Awards can only be purchased by a centre with an Accredited Teacher for that particular Stage, i.e. a Teacher who is accredited for Breakthrough French will also be able to purchase Breakthrough German Grade Awards.
To order Grade Awards, go to Centres/Fees to download an order form. |