Asset Languages for Parents

In the sections below we've tried to describe the relevance of Asset Languages qualifications to your child and to address some of the common questions that you might have.

Asset Languages is a voluntary assessment scheme - it's offered if the school will find it useful, but it is not compulsory.

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 learners 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 achievements in this way helps others to understand exactly what the qualification means.

Asset Languages for younger learners

Schools that offer modern languages at Key Stage 2 are doing a great job of enthusing and encouraging a new generation to enjoy languages and value other cultures and communities.

However, many teachers and parents are wary about too many formal exams for young children. We'd agree with them, which is why we've been very careful in the way we've developed Asset Languages. 

The teacher assessment element of the Asset Languages programme consists of short tasks which are carried out in the classroom, as part of day-to day activities. The emphasis is on giving credit for what the child has achieved, rather than testing them on what they can memorise. The resulting grade awards from the class teacher show your child's progress in languages, rather like swimming certificates show progress in swimming.

By rewarding your child for what they can do, they are encouraged to move on to the next stage or grade.

Asset Languages provides a way for teachers to reward progress in a form which will be comparable with other schools, and transferable from primary up to secondary school and beyond.

Learners who have studied languages at Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), but who are not going to go on to take a languages at GCSE, could use Asset Languages external assessment to obtain a valid qualification that recognises the skills they have developed so far.

It is possible that some students for whom GCSE/GCE is not particularly suitable may find the flexibility and bite-sized nature of Asset Languages (e.g. to enter for one or more skills) attractive.

Additionally, Asset Languages at any level 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 leisure, travel and tourism courses, with business and management or with general studies.

Asset Languages qualifications are not replacing GCSEs or A Levels.

Asset Languages qualifications give an indication of ability to accompany children from primary school up to secondary school. Equally Asset Languages qualifications can be considered as part of a University application, (we are discussing points values with UCAS), or can be used to tell employers exactly what levels of language competence their employees have.

If you begin Asset Languages Breakthrough qualifications in school, the extensive reach of the ladder also means you can continue to progress along the same scale right up to Mastery as an adult.

For adults returning to learning for the first time since school, the classroom-based teacher assessment will help them to build confidence. The demand-led year round external assessment offers opportunities to gain a QCA recognised qualification for their efforts.