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NVQ Languages at Imberhorne School
'The beauty ofvocational language courses is that students see the direct relevance not only to their own language needs to operate effectively in the target language country, but also to the wider world around them. This is what motivates students.' Chris Walsh, Imberhorne school
Context
Imberhorne is a split–site 11–18 comprehensive in West Sussex. We are a Language College Specialist school, and as a high–performing school have recently been given permission to embrace an additional second specialism as a “Leading Edge” school.
Key objectives
NVQ has been delivered for several years as a means of ensuring significant numbers of pupils studied a second modern foreign language. We were for some time the largest single centre in the country entering candidates for OCR’s NVQ certification.
How the programme is organised
Year 9 study Level 1 one lesson a week and French, German and Spanish are offered. From this year only the lowest groups study NVQ, whereas in the past all Year 9 students have taken the course. Years 10 and 11 go on to study Level 2; these are mainly students who have opted for the Travel & Tourism or the Health and Social Care courses as main programmes of study. Level 3 is offered as an alternative progression route to AS and A2 to students in Years 12 and 13, and it is possible to begin a new language at level 1 in the sixth form as well.
Results/effect
In 2007 approximately 200 students achieved a Level 1 pass in French, German or Spanish. Approximately 50 achieved passes in the same languages at Level2, while 8 sixth – form students achieved passes in French or Italian. This qualification has boosted our performance every year.
'The girls who did the level 3 French course last year said that they were petrified about doing the presentation of their product. They were to be done in French, video recorded, watched and assessed by the other students, and were indeed very nerve wracking to do. However, once the performances were completed and the girls looked back at them, this single piece of work was the one that they identified as the one they were most proud of. They all kept copies of the CD to show to prospective colleges and possible future employers. They said that although the French they used was not always perfect, the skills gained in getting the presentation ready were really valuable and they could see their practical application. The task showed that they were prepared to 'have a go' at communicating in a foreign language, and that if they ever had to do so in future, they would have the confidence to speak in French in public. They also said that if they did not know how to say or write something in French, they would know how to go about doing the research to find out the vocabulary and language that they were unsure of, and most importantly, go ahead and do it.' Janice Threlfall, Teacher of NVQ Level 3 French
Many students have achieved certification where they might previously not have gained anything from their language studies. Those studying Leisure & Tourism have found it particularly relevant. Very few students end up with no certification, even if it is in only certain skills.
Staff have achieved A1 and V1 awards. Some staff have moved on to other schools and have been able to draw on the experience of NVQ they gained at Imberhorne. Vocational learning is very strong in the school, so it has been good to be able to play our part in the success of work-related learning.
Future developments
Our programme is likely to remain unchanged for the forseeable future. Numbers are unlikely to increase due to the adoption of courses new to the school, such as Modular GCSE.
Author: Richard Keyte, Internal Verifier for NVQ Languages, Imberhorne School
