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Support in increasing languages uptake in Key Stage 4 and Post-16 |
Qualifications
The GCSE is changing from September 2009– have you looked at the new draft specifications for MFL?
The specifications are available to view on the exam board websites:
Comenius London is running a half -day course titled Which GCSE for September 2009? on 13 November 2008, 12.30 - 16.30.
This half-day course will examine the range of different GCSE courses on offer including the Applied GCSE and different models of delivery.
QCA reports on GCSE modern foreign languages
You can download two new QCA documents: Report of investigation into the assessment of speaking for GCSE modern foreign languages and Grade standards in GCSE modern foreign languages from the QCA website.
Or perhaps you are looking for an alternative to GCSE?
For a comprehensive guide to alternatives to GCSE see CILT's Reshaping Languages webpages.
AS/A level and other Level 3 Examination options
These can also be viewed on the Reshaping Languages webpages.
Languages in the Diplomas overview
Diplomas are the new qualifications for 14 to 19 year olds which herald the biggest change to the 14 to 19 curriculum for many years. Sitting alongside GCSEs and A Levels, they offer young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills within an applied, sector-focused context.
Employers have been actively involved in the development of the new qualifications, keen to ensure that young people gain not only knowledge of a particular sector/subject (known as lines of learning), but also vital skills for employment and higher education such as literacy, numeracy and IT skills, along with the ability to think, interact and communicate at a high level. For further information on Diplomas and answers to frequently asked questions please click here.
Increasing uptake at Key Stage 4
Do you need support in motivating your learners to continue studying languages? Take at look at some of the initiatives below for inspiration!
Work Experience
Do you need help organising placements abroad? The Language Work Placement Toolkit is a resource which has been produced to support teachers, language learners and others involved in language work placements. The Toolkit is available to download from the CILT website or in CD format free from CILT. To order a CD, e-mail: Toolkit@cilt.org.uk
Business Language Champions 
An exciting initiative where businesses are inspired to actively engage in partnerships with schools that are focused on language learning. RLN London, supported by Comenius London, has just completed the 07/08 programme of Business Language Champions activity in London. Partnerships have been set up in 11 boroughs between 11 business partners and 15 school/colleges, giving pupils from across the age range a genuine understanding of how languages are used in the workplace and of their importance and value.
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Do you need help to make links with local employers? Download our free Business Language Champion toolkit (pdf 926KB). For further details, case studies of London projects and an information pack see the RLN London website. |
Language Ambassadors
Last academic year the Comenius London Language Ambassador programme saw 77 visits from HE student ambassadors to 60 different schools across 23 London boroughs, impacting on over 4000 students. For more information on this year's programme please see our flyer. If you would like a Language Ambassador to support an event or activity that you are planning at your school or college this year, please complete a visit request form or contact Kathryn Abram.
Routes into Languages
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A funded initiative to increase and widen participation in language study in HE. The London Routes into Languages consortium ‘Capital L’ will work over the next three years to deliver activities and events to engage young people in language learning. For further information on the London programme visit the Routes into Languages website. |
Further Support
CILT’s newly revised 14-19 web pages Reshaping Languages are packed full of the most up to date information, advice and case studies across the whole sector range, video clips, resources, information on qualifications and much more.
