languages ladder

The " Languages Ladder" includes the use of "can do" statements and offers discrete skills assessment so that learners may, for example, focus on developing speaking skills. Depending on the stage the learner has reached, there may be external or teacher assessment.

The ladder comprises six stages, from Beginners to Mastery, the first four being further split into three smaller steps. Descriptors align with the National Qualifications Framework, National Curriculum levels, national examinations (Entry Level, GCSE, A Level) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

A table of equivalences, is available on the Languages Website of the DfES

Assessment within the Languages Ladder framework is being provided by Asset Languages, a scheme being developed by Cambridge Assessment through OCR and Cambridge ESOL.

21 languages are currently available. Details of what teacher assessment materials and what external assessment at which levels are available can be found on the Asset Languages website.