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National Language Standards


National Occupational Standards | Interpreting | Translation | Intercultural Skills

The National Language Standards are the UK scale of competence for languages in work settings. They set out the features of performance, the knowledge and skills needed to use or understand language in the workplace. They can be applied to any language (including British Sign Language) and in any occupational sector.

The standards are currently being reviewed by CILT, The National Centre for Languages. The revised National Language Standards will be completed by May 2010. The consultation process includes employers, teachers and training providers, awarding bodies and professional organisations – via questionnaire, interview and focus group. If you would like to be involved, please click here if you are an employer; otherwise click here, or contact Helen Astley.

The National Language Standards were last revised in 2005. They describe language competence at six levels: Entry to Level 5 of the National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications framework. They are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and to the new national recognition scheme in England, the Languages Ladder.

The Standards are set out as a series of 24 units, with one unit representing a single skill at a particular level (e.g. unit R3 defines reading skills at Level 3). The four linguistic skills are:

  • Listening (the 'Receptive' units for sign language users)
  • Speaking (the 'Productive' units for sign language users)
  • Reading
  • Writing

    • The Listening/Receptive units and Speaking/Productive units are each subdivided into two elements, describing one-way communication and two-way/group interaction.

    Each element or unit consists of a set of performance criteria (which define the outcomes of competent performance in a language), range statements (which describe the contexts in which the language user should be able to operate), and statements of the knowledge and skills needed in order to perform competently.

    The General Framework shows at a glance the units and elements which make up the National Language Standards, and describes briefly what you should be able to do at each level.

    To download individual units, click here to go to the UK Directory of National Occupational Standards.

    To find out about the range of qualifications based on the National Language Standards, go to our Qualifications section.

     

    The complete National Language Standards (revised 2005), including information on National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications and the approved assessment strategy, can be downloaded here (pdf, 466kb).