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Languages Ladder 
Introduction
The Languages Ladder provides a 'ladder of recognition' starting at a basic grade of competence and continuing beyond school alongside GCSE, A Level and NVQ national qualifications.
The ladder includes the use of 'can do' statements and offers discrete skills assessment so that learners may, for example, focus on developing speaking skills only. Depending on the stage the learner has reached, there may be external or teacher assessment.
The Languages Ladder comprises six stages, from Breakthrough to Mastery, the first four being further split into three smaller steps.
Mapping of qualification levels
NQF |
NC Levels |
General Qualifications |
Language Ladder stages |
CEF (approx) |
Entry level |
1-3 |
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A1 (A2) |
Level 1 |
4-6 |
Foundation GCSE |
Preliminary: 4-6 |
A2 (B1) |
Level 2 |
7-EP |
Higher GCSE |
Intermediate: 7-9 |
B1 |
Level 3 |
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AS/A/AEA |
Advanced: 10-12 |
B2 |
Levels 4 - 6 |
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Proficiency: 13 - 15 |
C1 |
Levels 7 & 8 |
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Mastery: 16 & 17 |
C2 |
Key
NQF = National Qualifications Framework
NC = National Curriculum
CEF = Common European Framework
Assessment within the Languages Ladder framework is being provided by Asset Languages. The Asset Languages website provides detailed information on the scheme and a PowerPoint presentation about it (N.B. NQF levels shown on this presentation are the original not the revised ones).
There are currently 25 languages available for assessment. Details of the teacher assessment materials and external assessments that are available at each level may be found on the Asset Languages website.
Background to The Languages Ladder
