Qualifications


	MFL & INCLUSION

QUALIFICATIONS

Learning and teaching


	ACCESS LEVELS IN MODERN LANGUAGES

CAUTION: The following notes are derived from information published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Learning and Teaching Scotland. However, details are subject to change. It is the teacher's responsibility to ensure that he/she is working from the latest information available, so always check publication dates

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) produces the official documentation for all levels. Details of special examination arrangements can be found here:http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/14977.html

Learning and Teaching Scotland's National Qualifications website includes support materials for languages at all levels, including the following downloads:

Student materials for Access 3 in French, German, Spanish and Italian. Some of the materials can also be used at Access 2.
Access in Modern Languages: A Guide for Teachers. Covers Access 1, 2 and 3.
Life in Another Country: Life in Greece. A case study at Access 1 and 2.
Life in Another Country: Access 1 and 2: Support for Teachers and Students. Shows how the unit can be linked to core skills, citizenship, etc. http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/l/nqresource_tcm4230281.asp?strReferringChannel=nq


	13.6.09 Qualifications Standard Grade, including Foundation Level, will be removed after academic year 2012-13. Access 3 will be retained and reviewed to ensure it reflects the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence.


	6.6.10 Modern Languages for Work Purposes SQA has developed a suite of freestanding Units at Access 3, Intermediate 1 (2008), Intermediate 2 and Higher (2009). The Units are built on a single generic specification, which covers 10 languages. The Units are suitable for use in a wide range of vocational settings, and encourage learners to reflect on skills required for employability. They also articulate with the aims of A Curriculum for Excellence. For full details: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/38219.html

Access 3 National Courses in Cantonese and Mandarin are now available. Find National Qualifications resources here:

18 Mandarin resources A series of listening and speaking exercises to support the teaching of Simplified and Traditional Mandarin at Access 3.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/resources/nq_library/subjectsearch.asp?bSubmit=1&strSearchNode=National+Qualifications%5C%7CLanguages+%28NQ+category%29%5C%7CChinese+Language+%28NQ+subject%29%5C%7CChinese+Language%3A+Mandarin+%2D+Access+3

9 Cantonese resources A collection of listening and speaking exercises to support the teaching of Cantonese at Access 3.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/resources/nq_library/subjectsearch.asp?bSubmit=1&strSearchNode=National+Qualifications%5C%7CLanguages+%28NQ+category%29%5C%7CChinese+Language+%28NQ+subject%29%5C%7CChinese+Language%3A+Cantonese+%2D+Access+3


	National Qualifications after 2008: Assessment Arrangements Instructions for those responsible for operating audio/CD/DVD equipment for candidates with disabilities and/or additional support needs in Modern Languages, Gàidhlig, Gaelic (learners), Music and Physical Education examinations have now been posted on the secure area of SQA's website. Once logged in to the secure area, select 'Assessment Arrangements' from the 'In this section' menu.


	26.10.09 SQA Inclusion Group The new SQA inclusion group, under the chairmanship of Professor Martyn Rouse of the University of Aberdeen, has held its first meeting, to discuss its priorities. It will address a range of issues around inclusion, assessment and qualifications.


	6.6.10 Access 3 French etc. Links to Arrangements documents and National Assessment Bank materials etc. http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/40156.html


	SUPPORT


	The following items are adapted from Course Notes produced for my own CPD events. Copyright belongs to Hilary McColl unless otherwise stated. They can be copied for use within educational establishements provided the source is clearly indicated.


		Introduction to Access level provision in Scotland
		Summary of Access Provision in Modern Languages
		Summary of assessment at Access 1
		Summary of assessment at Access 2
		Summary of assessment at Access 3
		Notes on topics to be studied at Access levels
	Foundation Level and Access 3 - What's the difference?

		The SALT website carries an ASN Resource File which can be downloaded: http://www.saltlangs.org.uk

		For ideas for developing cultural content and the 'Life in Another Country' strand, see Linking Communities page on this site.


	HELP WITH COURSE PLANNING
		The following checklists and pro formas may serve as notepads and aides mémoires when you are designing Access courses. Series A encourages reflection on basic course design, for use when you are just starting out; Series B encourages further reflection on how basic courses might be enriched. The help sheets can be used on their own, or they can be used as worksheets alongside the LTS Guide for teachers, mentioned above. They are all PDF files.

A1 Designing your Access programme
A2 Delivery checklist
A3 Delivering the Access 3 programme
A4 Delivering individual MFL units at Access 3
A5 Delivering the Access 2 programme
A6 Delivering individual units at Access 2
A7 Delivering the unit Life in Another Country at Access 2
A8 Delivering the units Life in Another Country at Access 1

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5
						B1

A6

						B2
A7

						B3

A8

						B4


						B5

						B6

B1 Planning for progression
B2 Exploring cross-curriculum and community links
B3 Building a coherent group of units
B4 Delivering a non-MFL unit at Access 3 as part of a coherent group

Exploring opportunities to incorporate:
B5 Citizenship
B6 Core Skills


	Further reading

		Accelerating The Access 3 French Course A link to an article by Christine M MacGregor in the Autumn 2008 edition of the Scottish Laguages Review published online by Scottish CILT. The work described in this article formed the dissertation project of a M.Ed. postgraduate degree in Chartered Teacher Studies at Paisley University (MacGregor 2007). The project addressed the question: “Can accelerating the completion of the modern language Access 3 course improve the learning experience of S3 and S4 pupils?” http://www.strath.ac.uk/media/departments/curricularstudies/scilt/slr/issues/18/18_macgregor.pdf


	6.6.10 Emerging approaches to assessment in Modern Languages: case studies http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/assessmentexemplars/resources?search-class=DB_CustomSearch_Widget-db_customsearch_widget&widget_number=preset-default&search=Search&cs-Curriculum_area-3=Languages


	OTHER WAYS OF RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT

ASSET LANGUAGES

The Asset Languages Scheme is increasingly being seen as an alternative to GCSEs for language learners who are struggling and/or demotivated. It caters for learners of all ages and provides a qualifications framework for a wide range of community and foreign languages. http://www.assetlanguages.org.uk/learners/default.aspx

For more information about the Languages Ladder which underpins this scheme:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/languages/languagesladder.cfm

THE EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO

The European Language Portfolio allows learners to recording a range of competencies in any language. It was developed by the Council of Europe and is administered in UK by CILT http://www.cilt.org.uk/elp.htm

The Junior European Language Portfolio is available for download here: http://www.nacell.org.uk/resources/resources.htm


	This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.


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