Community Languages - Exam Information
The tables below indicate what languages are offered by what board and, as far as GCSE is concerned, to indicate significant differences in the provision made for these languages.
Summary of GCSE examinations
| Language |
Board |
Full course linear |
Full course modular |
Short course |
Tiered |
Coursework option |
| Arabic * |
Edexcel |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Bengali |
AQA |
Yes |
X |
X |
Yes |
X |
| Chinese * (Mandarin/ |
Edexcel |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Dutch |
OCR |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| French |
AQA CCEA WJEC |
Yes Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
German |
AQA CCEA WJEC | Yes Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes Yes | Yes |
(Modern) Greek |
Edexcel |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Gujarati |
OCR |
Yes |
X |
X |
Yes |
Yes |
| (Modern) Hebrew |
AQA |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Irish |
CCEA |
Yes |
X |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Italian |
AQA |
Yes | X |
X | Yes |
Yes |
| Japanese * |
Edexcel |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Persian |
OCR |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Panjabi |
AQA |
Yes |
X |
X |
Yes |
X |
| Polish |
AQA |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Portuguese |
OCR |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Russian |
Edexcel |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Spanish |
AQA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Turkish |
OCR |
Yes |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Urdu |
AQA |
Yes |
X |
X |
Yes |
Yes |
| Welsh second language |
WJEC |
Yes |
X |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
* Also available in 4 skill or 3 skill (no speaking) options.
Summary of A level examinations
| Language |
Board |
AS Level |
Advanced GCE |
Coursework option |
| Arabic |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Bengali |
AQA |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Dutch |
OCR |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| French |
All boards |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| German |
All boards |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| (Modern) Greek |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Gujarati |
OCR |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| (Modern) Hebrew |
AQA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Irish |
CCEA |
X |
Yes |
Yes |
| Italian |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Japanese |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Panjabi |
AQA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Persian |
OCR |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Polish |
AQA |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Portuguese |
OCR |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Russian |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Spanish |
All boards |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Turkish |
OCR |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Urdu |
Edexcel |
Yes |
Yes |
X |
| Welsh |
WJEC |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Exam Boards
AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
31-33 Springfield Avenue, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2HW. Tel: 01423
840015. Fax: 01423 524353. E-mail: mfl-n@aqa.org.uk
Website: www.aqa.org.uk
Edexcel Foundation
One90 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BH. Tel: 0870 240 9800. Fax: 020 7190
5700. Website: www.edexcel.org.uk
OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA examination)
9 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1PB. Tel: 01223 553 311. Fax: 01223 460 278.
E-mail: helpdesk@ocr.org.uk Website:
www.ocr.org.uk
Asset Languages (Part of OCR)
1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU. Tel: 01223 553998. Email: assetlangauges@ocr.org.uk
Website: www.assetlanguages.org.uk
CCEA (Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and
Assessment)
Clarendon Dock, 29, Clarendon Road, Belfast BT1 3BG. Tel: 028 9026
1200. E-mail: info@ccea.org.uk Website:
www.ccea.org.uk
WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee)
245 Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YX. Tel: 029 2026 5000. Fax: 029 2057
5894. E-mail: info@wjec.co.uk Website:
www.wjec.co.uk/
Scottish examinations
National Qualifications at all levels are available in French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. Urdu is available at Standard Grade only. Languages may also be studied as part of an SVQ. Further details can be obtained from the Scottish Qualifications Authority: Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, GlasgowG2 7NQ. Tel: 0845 279 1000. E-mail: customer@sqa.org.uk Website: www.sqa.org.uk
Asset Languages
A new way of recognising and rewarding achievement in languages learning from OCR. Asset Languages defines competence in a range of linguistic skills for learners of all ages.
Currently Available:
| Arabic | Gujarati | Panjabi | Spanish | Yoruba |
| Bengali | Hindi | Polish | Swedish | |
| French | Italian | Portuguese | Tamil | |
| German | Japanese | Russian | Turkish | |
| Modern Greek | Mandarin Chinese | Somali | Urdu |
Alternative accreditation
The Chartered Institute of Linguists
The Chartered Institute of Linguists offers examinations covering all
four skills in a wide range of languages at various levels.
The Institute offers a Certificate in Bilingual Skills at Level 3 of the
National Language Standards and a Level 4 Diploma in Public Service Interpreting,
both QCA accredited.
For further details please contact the Chartered Institute of Linguists:
Saxon House, 48 Southwark Street, London SE1 1UN. Tel: 020 7940 3100.
Fax: 020 7940 3101. E-mail: info@iol.org.uk
Website: www.iol.org.uk
Language Services Ltd. Website: www.languageservicesltd.com
See also the Qualifications
page of the main CILT website for further information on other options,
including:
- Certificate in Practical Languages (ABC)
- Entry Level Certificates
- FLAW
- Certificate in Business Language Competence (CBLC)
- NVQ Language units
This summary lists examinations and specifications of particular relevance
to teachers looking for alternative language qualifications to GCSE and
AS/A level. The emphasis is mostly, but not exclusively, vocational and
some professional language qualifications are included. NVQ and GNVQ Units
also provide alternative accreditation. They can be adapted to core units
of established programmes.
