You may wish to deliver alternative qualifications rather than conventional AS and A2. This could be because you want to offer them a more work-related language course or they may be younger pupils, perhaps having completed a fast-track GCSE course for example, who would find the subject content of an AS level language course beyond their maturity level. 

Frequently asked Questions

How do I find out what is available?
The simplest way is to visit website of the National Database of Accredited Qualifications. This gives details of all the qualifications available, links to awarding bodies and points for the DCSF School and College Achievement and Attainment tables.

What are my choices post-GCSE if I do not want to deliver AS?

• OCR Certificate in Business Language Competence at Level 3
• NVQ Language units at Level 3 offered by Edexcel
• NVQ Language units at Level 3 offered by OCR
• ABC Certificate in Practical Languages at Level 3
• OCR Asset Languages Advanced stage
• Institute of Linguists Certificate in Bilingual Skills

For more information on these qualifications please vvisit the Standards and qualifications section.

Does the course I have chosen lead to an exam or is it portfolio-building?

• OCR CBLC– External examiner visits school with tasks
• NVQ– Portfolio-building course of internally set tasks based on the National Language Standards with no prescribed themes. External verification
• ABC– Internally set tasks which are externally moderated/marked
• Asset Languages – Tasks provided. Teacher assessment for grades and external tests for each stage
• Institute of Linguists Certificate in Bilingual Skills – External examination.

A sample booklet of assessment materials is available here (doc 1.21MB)

Where can I find case studies showing these qualifications in use?

• Networks for Excellence: The Certificate in Business Language Competence
• NVQ Languages at Levels 1-3 in KS4 and the sixth form at Redruth School (includes video)
• Fast track GCSE in Key Stage 3 followed by Advanced Asset in Key Stage 4 at Dorothy Stringer School 
• ABC Languages within vocational courses at CONEL
  

Is there any advice available to help me to set up any of these courses in my own school or college?

• NVQ Languages
• The Certificate in Business Language Competence
• Asset Languages
  

What if I just want to offer my students who already have GCSE or other level 2 qualification in a language an award rather than working towards a higher level exam?

There are three choices:

1.  The ASDAN International Award

2. The Foreign Language Leaders Award

3. The BA Flag Award

There are also case studies and some video clips associated with all of these qualifications.

All of these would give your students the opportunity to gain a useful additional award to put on their CV as well offering them valuable additional skills. 

Are there any examples of exciting projects that sixth form students have undertaken post-GCSE?
The Enterprise in any Language project involved sixth form students forming a company,  LanguAges making  language games for younger learners and selling them in packs to local primary schools.

Read the case study and watch the videos about the project at English Martyrs School.