The NVQ / Award/Certificate in Practical Languages
The Certificate/Award in Practical Languages continues to be the most successful alternative language qualification to the GCSE.
- It is frequently offered at level 1 in year 9 and level 2 at KS4.
- This language pathway closely mirrors the practical application of languages to the workplace.
- It has proved to switch on the most disaffected learner, increase uptake at KS4 and substantially raise attainment.
- Our partner ILanguages offer a full package including a scheme of work, lesson plans, assessments and all the activities you would need including ICT resources to deliver it in either French, German or Spanish.
- For further details regarding resources and for the first 10 lessons free of Level 1 and Level 2 in French, Spanish, German and Italian, please Email
Is the course for me?
The Award/CertificateL is an assessment-based, flexible and personalised pathway with a business context. It has proved to make language learning far more accessible, achievable and motivating to a higher number of pupils, especially boys.
It enables MFL departments to improve results and if offered in Year 9, can increase uptake significantly at key stage 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it?
A practical qualification developed by industry to meet the needs of the modern workpace.
How are pupils assessed?
Each language skill is assessed separately i.e. in speakin & writing, reading & understanding the spoken word (listening).
When do students do the assessments?
When the teacher (assessor) decides they are reading to take an assessment. There is no exam window.
Are there any materials available for teaching the course?
Yes, we have a scheme of work available which includes lesson plans, assessments, worksheets, powerpoints and interactive whiteboard activities – infact everything you would need!
Do students have to do all the language skills to achieve the Award / Certificate?
No, it is designed to be flexible. Students can do any number of skills, for example a student could achieve a level 1 Award in speaking.
What are the points worth?
Currently there are no points
Learning part of a Diploma?
The Guided Learning Hours value for a level 1 Award is 79 hours and a level 2 has a GLH value of 98. Therefore the Award or Certificate could be used as part of the ASL but you would need to add something to it to make up the required number of hours.
How do the levels compare to national curriculum levels?
It depends on the student but the following table is a rough guide:
Levels 1 ~ National Curriculum Levels 3-5
Levels 2 ~ National Curriculum Levels 6+
What happens if a student doesn’t achieve an assessment?
After each assessment, the assessor (teacher) gives constructive and supportive feedback. This is a crucial stage in the process. A student who does not achieve an assessment first time round can revisit it more than once.
But using reference materials in an assessment is cheating!
Not at all! It is designed to simulate the business world. In real life, a person in the workplace would not be operating in an exam like environment and would use whatever support was required to do a language related task whether it was translating a fax or listening to a voicemail from overseas.
What topics are covered?
It is content free in that it can be applied to any industry. Our materials focus on topics such as:
- business introductions
- dealing with business visitors
- making appointments and reservations
- travel arrangements
- socialising with business colleagues
- communications
- work experience abroad
How do I register my candidates?
Students need to be registered through approved centres, such as ourselves, which will provide you with guidance and support.
Ten weeks before the claim for it needs to be made. We will inform you of the date for registration.
How is the qualification gained?
There is no exam so students build up a portfolio of assessments over the duration of their course.
What criteria is used in the assesssments?
The language units are based on the National Language Standards - a scale of competence which sets out the knowledge and skills needed to perform competently in another language in a business setting.
Does the teacher know what is in the assessments?
Yes, the teacher can either write their own assessments or use those from a scheme of work such as the one from our scheme of work
How many assessments are there?
It depends which scheme you use. The ilanguages scheme contains 3 assessments per skill at level 1 and 14 at level 2.
How many levels are there?
We offer three levels,however, schools tend to deliver one and two. A few schools deliver level 3 in year 12.
Can the languages award or certificate be used for the Additional Specialist
A level 1 Diploma needs 120 hours of Guided Learning Hours. A level 2 Diploma needs 180 hours.
What qualification does a student gain?
A student will gain an ‘Award’ in the language at level 1 and a ‘Certificate’ at level 2 and 3. Level 4 is known as a ‘Diploma’.
If students only do one or two skills, even at level 2, this will still be classed as a ‘Certificate’
How achievable is it?
It is designed to be achievable. As there is no exam, pupils learn in bite sized chunks and then do regular assessments. This makes the learning far more manageable than cramming two years of learning into one exam.
Are the assessments difficult?
Level one is very straightforward, level two does increase in level of difficulty. However, students are allowed to use reference materials such as their notes, vocabularly lists and dictionaries during assessments. In fact, referencing is one of the skills assessed in NVQ.
Which level should be done in which year?
Schools deliver the Award/Certificate in different ways, for example:
Level 1 in year 9 and then level 2 over year 10 and 11
from scratch in year 10, focusing on level 1 materials as foundation for a term and then start level 2 and the assessments in the second term.
Level 1 in one language in year 10 and a further level 1 in a different language at level 2
Early entry GCSE in years 9 and 10 and level 2 in year 11
Level 3 in year 12 and/or 13
GCSE at KS4 and level 2 at lunch time or after school as an additional qualification
Which awarding bodies accredit the Qualification?
ABC Awards Skills and Education Group
When do students need to be entered?
A school would need to follow the application procedure of one of the awarding bodies.
The resources and scheme of work for this qualification can be found following this Link
FURTHER INFORMATION
Pricing
We provide free access for first 10 lessons free of Level 1 and Level 2 in French, Spanish, German and Italian.
This should enable your organisation to start straight away.
The lessons includes all the resources required for the first 6-8 weeks of teaching.
additional resources can be purchased from iLanguages, please email:
Verification & Certification
There is an initial registration fee for the first year, followed by an annual renewal fee therafter.
Once your organisation is registered with us, you will be able to register candidates for the course and qualification.
Fees
There is an initial registration fee for the first year, followed by an annual renewal fee therafter. Once your organisation is registered with us, you will be able to register candidates for the course and qualification.
Free Resources
To access the first 10 lessons please click the google drive folders below. This will allow you to get started right away and includes all the resources required for the first six to eigtht weeks of teaching for French,German,Spanish or Italian.
Full resourses can be purchased from iLanguages using the link below:
NVQ/ Award/Certificate in Practical Languages: first 10 lessons
Level 1 Resources
Level 2 Resources
Purchase
Full resourses for the NVQ/ Award/Certificate in Practical Languages can be purchased from iLanguages using the link below:
Qualification
For ofqual codes please see below:
GLH = Guided Learning Hours
TQH = Total Qualification Hours
Assessment: Pass/Fail only
| Qualification | Level | Code | ofqual Code | GLH | TQH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
French | |||||
| Level 1 Award in Practical French | 1 | A1905-01 | 603/2187/8 | 95 | 120 |
| Level 2 Award in Practical French | 2 | A1908-02 | 603/2200/7 | 95 | 120 |
| Level 3 Award in Practical French | 3 | C1911-03 | 603/2212/3 | 140 | 180 |
Spanish | |||||
| Level 1 Award in Practical Spanish | 1 | A1946-01 | 603/2184/2 | 95 | 120 |
| Level 2 Award in Practical Spanish | 2 | A1949-02 | 603/2209/3 | 95 | 120 |
| Level 3 Award in Practical Spanish | 3 | C1952-03 | 603/2200/3 | 140 | 180 |
German | |||||
| Level 1 Award in Practical German | 1 | A1917-01 | 603/2190/8 | 95 | 120 |
| Level 2 Award in Practical German | 2 | A1920-02 | 603/2203/2 | 95 | 120 |
| Level 3 Award in Practical German | 3 | C1923-03 | 603/2215/9 | 140 | 180 |
Contact Details:
Please contact us if you need any further information.
The Language Alliance Limited
18 Town End, Lepton
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
HD8 0NA
United Kingdom
Office Tel: +44(0) 7447 035 950
Support Tel: +44(0) 1484 307 180
info@languagealliance.co.uk
For further details of this qualification please go to:
www.languagealliance.co.uk
Please do not hesitate to contact us on: 01484 307 180 or by
email:
