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Asset Languages
Principles of teaching
Use of existing materials
As the Asset scheme is content free, it fits well with existing schemes of work, coursebooks, electronic packages for interactive whiteboard use and other resources used in schools. Schools and colleges using Asset Languages comment that they have had to make very little change to their planned schemes of work.
The possibility of assessing individual skills separately
The ‘can-do’ statements Asset offers allow the students to achieve in small steps, in the skills they are best in. This means that although all four skills may be taught, not all students may undertake assessments in all skills. However, it is also possible to base a course of study on less skills than would traditionally be the case. For example, a scheme of work could be planned for just listening and speaking.
Familiarity with the types of assessment is essential
Although it is no longer compulsory to be trained as an accredited teacher, it is strongly advised that staff delivering the Asset Languages course should fully familiarise themselves with the requirements of each type of assessment as the way in which the course is assessed is different to GCSE. For example, Asset tests reading and listening via questions in English, whereas much of the material available in textbooks uses exercises in the target language to practice listening and reading skills. Teachers may therefore wish to devise their own tasks based on material in their textbooks to allow students appropriate practice.
The speaking assessments require the pupils to describe a picture or photograph which again is probably a different type of task to the sort that students are used to and practice will be needed with this activity so that students can perform to the best of their ability.
It is important to note that there is no coursework. Astor of Hever School no longer teaches any GCSE languages. Instead all pupils are accredited using Asset Languages. They have found that the transition made from GCSE coursework to Asset’s final written exam paper is noticeable in terms of results. Since the transition to Asset, teachers have had to spend more time training students to write in the target language which has become their weakest skill.
Work related language learning using Asset Languages as accreditation
Some schools have chosen to use Asset Languages as a form of accreditation to complement work related learning which students may be undertaking in other areas of the curriculum. The Grove School has been able to develop their own course which deals with language in a vocational context. The topic areas covered include:
- Visitors to a company
- Business diary
- Telephone
- Workplace and location
- Modes of transport
- Accommodation
- Eating out
- Shopping and sales
- Freetime and entertainment
- Emergency situations
Some students at the school may be placed on extended work experience. The school has found that as the testing dates for Asset languages can be varied from individual to individual, those going on work placement can be tested and rewarded for their achievements to date, even if they do not stay in the MFL class for the whole of KS4.
Asset also now offers a work related route for schools wishing to offer the qualification to students who may be following vocational courses or as a motivating alternative to the general Asset qualification. Visit Asset's World of Work page.
