The Languages Ladder is the government’s recognition scheme for language performance, which has been developed as one of the overarching objectives of the National Languages Strategy (NLS), launched in 2002. The ‘Steps’ on the Ladder can help learners and their teachers record progress in their studies (through its ‘can do’ statements) from the beginning. It can be used for all language learners in schools (primary and secondary), colleges and at work, and can support lifelong learning, since students can collect progressive accreditation of their progress (on a skill-by-skill basis) and carry it forward with them throughout their studies. Internal teacher assessment can receive external accreditation through the involvement of Asset Languages, and can complement existing external examinations and qualifications frameworks. 

The Ladder has six stages, the first four each comprising 3 levels, from Breakthrough through to Mastery. The progression has been aligned with National Curriculum levels and with those on the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Asset Languages tests are now available in 25 languages across a range of stages. Exact availability is spelled out on the Asset Languages site.

More detailed discussion of the Languages Ladder and its place within the context of assessment can be found on the CILT website. There is also case study evidence of the use of Asset Languages as alternative accreditation in Key Stage 4 on the 14-19 pages.

The use of the early stages of the Ladder with primary pupils, envisaged within the NLS, is discussed on the Primary Languages website.