 Asset Languages for Learners
A lot of the content of this site is aimed at schools and colleges. As Asset Languages is a new assessment scheme, there is a lot of new information for teachers to absorb and discuss before they decide if they would like to offer the qualifications. But right at the heart of the matter for all of us is you: the learner.
We want to encourage language learning. We know that learners like getting recognition for their skills and that rewarding progress can motivate people to continue and develop.
We are developing Asset Languages in 25 different languages and across six stages so that all learners can have their achievements recognised.
We're not introducing new lessons into schools or changing the curriculum: we believe that teachers are best placed to decide the way to teach a class.
Asset Languages isn't about learning and testing a particular list of words and phrases. Instead, the qualifications are based on the Can Do statements of the Languages Ladder - they are a way of summarising what you can do in a language in general. Here are some examples which might help:
Breakthrough Grade 1 Reading:
I can recognise and read out a few familiar words and phrases.
Breakthrough Grade 3 Speaking:
I can ask and answer simple questions and talk about my interests.
Preliminary Grades 6 Listening:
I can understand spoken passages referring to past or future events.
Intermediate Grade 7 Writing:
I can write a passage (eg a report or letter) conveying simple opinion and/or points of view.
Expressing your achievements in this way helps others to understand exactly what your qualification means.
Asset Languages allows you to concentrate on the language skills you want - listening, speaking, reading and writing are assessed separately.
Asset Languages builds your language learning confidence by providing step by step recognition of achievement.
Asset Languages qualifications are recognised and transferable - they are worth something and can be compared on the national qualification framework to other awards.
You may be looking around at qualification web sites at the moment as you think about your options at Key Stage 3. We have produced a short PowerPoint presentation which describes why we think learning languages is important and how Asset Languages can help.
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