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