Post on 23-Dec-2015
NVQ Business Languages –
a Successful Alternative
Juliet.park@ntlworld.com
NVQs are:
• National Vocational Qualifications
• Developed by industry
• Designed to recognise a candidate's competence in the workplace.
• Widely recognised by employers
• Accredited by OCR, Edexcel, C&G
Main features • Portfolio based
• Assessment based
• Each language skill or ‘unit’ assessed i.e. – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
• Levels 1 – 4 in Languages available – schools mainly 1 & 2
Achievable• No exam
• Small, manageable verified assessments
• Feedback and revisit assessments
• Use reference materials e.g. portfolios, notes, dictionaries, reference sheets etc
• Simulating the business world!
Flexible
• Teachers decide when to do assessments
• Pupils do not have to do all four units
• Can do different levels in different years
• Can mix levels in different skills (units)
Any Combination
• Year 9 level 1
• Year 10 & 11 level 2
• Year 11 level 2 after early entry GCSE
• Year 10 level 1 French, Year 11 level 1 Spanish • Year 10, one unit at level 1, Year 11 3 units at level 2
• In sixth form at level 3
Why does the NVQ work?• Achievable (better than GCSE for many)• Assessments predictable• Pastoral environment (feedback)• Clear progression• Focus is not just on languages• Purposeful & meaningful• Fun and practical• Cross-curricular - ICT & business• Perception of languages as a skill changes
Meets the government agenda!• Inclusive & achievable
• Vocational
• Cross curricular
• Meaningful learning
• Develops life skills
• Re-addresses skills shortage
• Fit in with new diplomas
But everyone speaks English!
• 80% of global population doesn’t speak English
• 94% doesn’t speak English as their first language
• 20% of UK companies lose business because they couldn’t speak the language or understand the culture of their customers
Golden Ticket
• Pupils don’t need to
be fluent • Pupils don’t need to
be super intelligent • C.V. competitive edge• More opportunities • More money • Transferable skill
What is an NVQ worth?
• QCA approved qualification
• Value of units for performance tables:
– Level 1 = 7 points per skill (unit)
– Level 2 = 12.3 points per skill (unit)
What do the units add up to?
Level 1: 4 units x 7 points = 28
Level 2: 4 units x 12 points = 49.2
or:
Level 1 writing 1 x 7 points +
Level 2 speaking, reading, listening
+ 3 x 12.3 points Total = 43.9
NVQ Points GCSE58 A*
52 A
Level 2 46 B
Level 1 & 2 40 C
34 D
Level 1 28 E
22 F
Comparing NVQ to GCSE in points
Level 1 Level 2
NC levels 3-5 6+Vocabulary
Language
Familiar
Narrow
Unpredictable
Wider common alternatives
Grammar Set phrases
Pos/Neg, Qs/AsVery simple past, present, futureFeelings, preferences
Simple link words:
and, but
Understand & use grammar
Simple past, present, future, conditional compound
Views, opinions
Links words:
because, however
Progression level 1- 2
Yewlands 2006• 64 year x 9 pupils • Level 1 NVQ German
• Sense of early achievement
• Raises awareness and aspirations
• Good preparation for key stage 4
• Doubled uptake, increased results - 98% pass level 1
•Visits to local companies
Yewlands 2008
• 100 year 9 pupils • Level 1 NVQ German and Spanish
• Bottom special needs set
•11 in year 11
•26 in year 10
•Work experience trips abroad!!
International Work Experience Trips
• Leonardo funding • For pupils on vocational courses
• Minimum 2 weeks
• Intensive application procedure
Useful links
www.ilanguages.co.uk
- Level 1 & 2 NVQ SoW and resources
• www.vocationallanguages.co.uk
- A1 Assessor training & work experience
www.traintogain.gov.uk
- possible funding for training