Asset Languages in Secondary Schools
Asset Languages provides an excellent vehicle for motivating learners. The emphasis is on giving credit for the skills the learner has acquired, rather than testing them on what they can memorise. The resulting Grade Awards and external qualifications demonstrate the learner's progress in languages and by rewarding what they can do, they are encouraged to move on to the next stage or grade.
Learners who have studied languages at Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) could use Asset Languages external assessment to obtain a valid qualification that recognises the skills they have developed after several years of language learning, whether or not they wish to go on to take a language at KS4. Asset Languages qualifications are eligible for Achievement and Attainment table points and so provide a cost effective strategy for those not continuing languages beyond KS3.
We have developed a PowerPoint presentation for use with Year 9 groups who are thinking about their options.
You can use Asset Languages to assess learners for KS3 reporting. We have produced a guide with advice on doing this. Many centres who have used Asset at KS3 have found it motivational for their learners and helps to boost uptake for languages at KS4.
Asset users have found some KS4 students respond better to the flexibility and bite-sized nature of Asset Languages (e.g. to enter for one or more skills) rather than the large final exam at the end of GCSE/GCE. Centres using Asset in this way have found many students 'over-perform' on an equivalent scale when comparing what they may have been predicted for GCSE against the grades they obtained in their Asset Languages assessments. As Asset Languages Intermediate Stage awards count towards A*-C ratings, this has helped boost schools' ratings for languages. For more info on Performance indicators, please click here. Asset is also being used with Year 11 students who have been fast-tracked through GCSEs.
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 designed to replace GCSEs or A Levels.
We have produced a template designed to set out the benefits of Asset Languages for Senior Management Teams. You can adapt it for use in your school or college - see the support section of the site.
External Asset Languages assessments for each skill attract points and have a threshold contribution which count towards Achievement and Attainment Tables.
Asset Languages is a proficiency scheme - it is not a particular programme of study.
To help teachers think about how Asset Languages would fit in with current classroom activity, we have produced a basic description of the language purpose and functions that are covered in the teacher assessment and the external tests for each language.
You can download the content descriptions for Breakthrough, Preliminary and Intermediate stages for the currently available languages from the Specifications page. The QCA formal specifications are also available there to download.
Below, you can also download the complete set of Can Do statements for the Breakthrough, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced Stages that form the DCSF Languages Ladder, against which Asset Languages assessments are measured.
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