Diplomas are the new qualifications for 14 to 19 year olds which herald the biggest change to the 14 to 19 curriculum for many years. Sitting alongside GCSEs and A levels, they offer young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills within an applied, sector-focused context. In addition to the occupationally-related Diplomas, there will now also be a stand-alone Diploma in Languages and International Communication which will be ready for delivery in 2011.

Employers have been actively involved in the development of the new qualifications, keen to ensure that young people gain not only knowledge of a particular sector/subject (known as lines of learning), but also vital skills for employment and higher education such as literacy, numeracy and IT skills, along with the ability to think, interact and communicate at a high level.

Work-related language courses are being taught increasingly widely in schools, as they have been in FE for many years. They offer an alternative and motivating experience for language learners.