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Press Statement
19 February 2008

CILT statement on changes to GCSE languages assessment

'Recent press reports have created a perception that proposed changes to the assessment arrangements for GCSE foreign languages will lead to a lowering of standards. This is unfortunate, as above all we need to hold on to the value that language learning has for learners, employers and for academic study.

The misunderstanding perhaps arises from a misplaced confidence in the existing system of measuring oral competence. We concur with Lord Dearing that the current arrangements can be demotivating for pupils – not only because they are stressful, but because the tasks involved are not creative or stimulating. Bringing in more teacher assessment is an opportunity to correct this, not a threat to standards, but it will need to come with more training, support and appropriate monitoring arrangements.

We need to provide a type of oral assessment which pupils, employers and universities recognise as reflecting genuine achievement, and which gives students the confidence and the motivation to take language learning further - either in an academic or a ‘real life’ setting. This should not mean eliminating all risk – language learning entails venturing beyond your comfort zone.

It is vitally important for our society and for our economy to attract more pupils into language learning, but we must beware of measures which, while cutting the cost to
pupils, also cut the perceived value to employers and universities.'

Isabella Moore, Chief Executive of CILT, the National Centre of Languages.