Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - Asset Languages external qualifications are accredited by the regulatory authorities QCDA, DCELLS and CCEA.

The fees list on the centres/fees page of the website lists the costs of entering candidates for our externally assessed tests and the prices of our Teacher Assessment Packs.

Yes. In December 2008, UCAS announced the allocation of tariff points to our Advanced Stage qualifications. The points for Asset Languages come into effect for entry into higher education from 2010 onwards. For details of the points allocated by UCAS to our Advanced Stage qualifications, visit the relevant page of the UCAS website: http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/#asset

Yes there are achievement and attainment table points. Points are per skill. Please see the structure page in the About section for full details.

No, but they are connected - the Languages Ladder is a recognition scheme for language learners launched as part of the Government's National Languages Strategy. Asset Languages is OCR's name for the assessment scheme which provides accreditation for learners by mapping their skills against the Ladder.

The Asset Languages name has developed both from the word assessment and the appreciation that languages skills can be an asset to everyone.

There is assessment material available in each of the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Cornish, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh and Yoruba. (Check the availability page in About Asset for exact stages and formats).

The stages of Asset Languages relate to the National Qualifications Framework in the following ways: Breakthrough: Grades 1-3 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Entry Level 1-3. Preliminary: Grades 4-6 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Level 1. Intermediate: Grades 7-9 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Level 2. Advanced: Grades 10-12 = Level 3.

Yes, marking criteria for speaking is contained in the Examiner's Booklet and detailed on the website on the centres/speaking tests page.

You just need to place an order. Go to ‘About Asset’ and then ‘Availability’ to see whether the pack you want is available and to download an order form.

Grade Awards can only be purchased by a centre with an Accredited Teacher for that particular Stage, i.e. a Teacher who is accredited for Breakthrough French will also be able to purchase Breakthrough German Grade Awards. To order Grade Awards, go to Centres/Fees to download an order form.

Listening and reading tests are multiple choice tests, which are marked electronically by OCR. Writing tests are marked by experienced OCR Asset Languages examiners. Speaking tests are marked by the centre and moderated by OCR Asset Languages moderators.

QCA has agreed to 30 hours for each skill at Breakthrough Stage, 40 hours at each of Preliminary and Intermediate Stages and 50 at Advanced Stage. This is merely an indicative guide –centres are encouraged to create courses to suit their learners.

The stages of Asset Languages relate to the National Qualifications Framework in the following ways: Breakthrough: Grades 1-3 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Entry Level 1-3. Preliminary: Grades 4-6 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Level 1. Intermediate: Grades 7-9 = on the National Qualifications Framework at Level 2. Advanced: Grades 10-12 = Level 3.

Asset Languages qualifications are designed as a measure of proficiency, to fit around existing schemes of work. There is no set course.

The National Centre for Languages (CILT), 3rd Floor, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HR, telephone 08456 12 5885, can assist with resources and ideas for language teaching. http://www.cilt.org.uk/

When you purchase a Teacher Assessment Pack, self-access training materials accompany the Pack. You can complete these in your own time and then send them back to OCR to be marked. This training is optional and is ONLY required if you wish to offer Grade Awards to your students for the completion of Teacher Assessment tasks. For more information, see Teachers/Become Accredited section of the website.

See 'Using Questions Correctly' within the introduction of the Speaking Test Examiner's Booklet for information about scripts and questions.

Yes, marking criteria for speaking is contained in the Examiner's Booklet and detailed on the website on the centres/speaking tests page.

See the Admin Guide and the Online Entries and Results System User Guide for details on how to make entry amendments.

To query an invoice, please forward a copy of the invoice and supporting documentation to Finance Division, OCR, 1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU, or email creditcontrol@cambridgeassessment.org.uk. Please quote your centre number and invoice number in all correspondence.

No!

If your centre does not have access to a computer we can accept paper entries. However this is under exceptional circumstances only. All centres that do have access to a computer should make entries via the Asset Online Entries and Results System or EDI. If your centre envisages long-term electronic problems (ie more than a week in most cases), please let us know.