FAQ

Asset languages is a unique assessment scheme, from awarding body OCR, for language teaching with all ages and abilities.

Asset rewards progress in separate skills and in small steps, and is designed to fit around your existing schemes of work. The skills of each learner are measured against a scale called the Languages Ladder. Asset Languages offers a choice of two flexible forms of assessment.

The Languages Ladder is a scale which defines competence in language learning. There are six stages of the Ladder: Breakthrough, Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency and Mastery, representing a range of ability levels from complete beginner (ie Breakthrough) up to near fluency.

Each stage of the Languages Ladder breaks down into smaller grades. Every grade has a Can Do statement which provides a simple description of what a learner should be able to do in each individual skill of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Full details of languages and stages can be found within the languages section.

Where appropriate, Asset Languages assessments are available in primary, secondary and post 16-education contexts.

Asset Languages qualifications are mapped to the National Qualifications Framework as follows:

Asset Intermediate Stage (Level 2) qualifications, for example, are equivalent in standard to the A* to C Grade GCSE.

There are two types, informal teacher assessment or formal external assessment:

1. If you are looking for something informal, our Teacher Assessment Packs provide graded tasks for you to do with your learners in the classroom when convenient. There is also the option of buying graded awards to celebrate your learners’ success in these tasks.

2. If you want your learners to receive nationally-recognised qualifications for their success in the individual skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, then Asset's externally-assessed tests, available four times a year, are for you.

The two forms of assessment complement each other but are completely separate. You can use external assessment, teacher assessment or a mix of both, to give your learners credit for what they can do.

For all ages. The stages are not age specific. They do not correspond to a particular school year. Learners of different ages may be on the same stage of the Ladder.

Yes, Asset Languages externally-assessed qualifications are accredited by the main regulatory authorities.

Yes, Asset Languages externally-assessed qualifications attract achievement and attainment table points. The points are per skill, per grade. It is possible to combine points from different languages and different skills. Points achieved by pupils taking Asset qualifications in KS3 can also be carried over into the KS4 tables. More information on achievement and attainment tables can be found on the education department’s website.

As a reminder, the points value of GCSEs are as follows:
E grade = 28 points, D = 34, C = 40, B = 46, A = 52, A* = 58.

Our Advanced Stage (Level 3) qualifications earn UCAS tariff points. The points for success in individual skills at Advanced Stage come into effect for higher education entry from 2010 onwards.

As an indicative guide for each skill:

• Breakthrough 30 hours
• Preliminary 40 hours
• Intermediate 40 hours
• Advanced 50 hours

Centres are however encouraged to create courses to suit their learners.

Yes, Asset for the World of Work is our applied qualification available for those learning French, German and Spanish at Preliminary and Intermediate levels.
World of Work assessments give learners the opportunity to demonstrate their language skills in vocational areas. See the World of work section.

Asset’s externally-assessed tests in separate skills are short and manageable:

Languages	Listening	Speaking	Reading	Writing
Advanced: Grades 10 to 12	40 mins	13 mins	50 mins	60 mins
Intermediate: Grades 7 to 9	30 mins	8 mins	40 mins	40 mins
Preliminary: Grades 4 to 6	30 mins	6 mins	40 mins	25 mins
Breakthrough: Grades 1 to 3	20 mins	4 mins	30 mins	20 mins

If you are using Asset's Teacher Assessment Packs and want to reward your students with certificates for successfully completing the tasks in the Pack, one teacher per centre needs to be accredited at the relevant stage. To do this, one teacher needs to complete our accredited teacher training material.

You are accredited for a stage, not a language. Once you are accredited, for Breakthrough for example, you can use our grade awards to celebrate the success of learners at Breakthrough in any language offered by your school or college.

Centres do not need an Accredited Teacher to conduct external assessment speaking tests.

Training:

There are training courses for teachers starting out with Asset, as well as sessions for teachers who want to develop expertise in delivering Preliminary and/or Intermediate stage assessment. For further information and to book places, visit www.ocreventbooker.org.uk using course reference OAS.

Clusters:

We have a network of over 50 cluster support groups around the country which provide two-way support and opportunities to share good practice.

OCR customer contact centre:

For further information, there is a dedicated call centre to answer your questions, call 01223 553998.

• Step 1:
  Explore the website and download documents including Languages Ladder statements, sample assessments and language specifications.
• Step 2a:
  For teacher assessment, order your Teacher assessment pack.
  
• or Step 2b:
  For external assessment, register your centre before making entries by the deadline for the testing window(s) that suits you.
• Step 3:
  Contact us if you have any questions