Modern Languages for Work PurposesModern Languages for Work Purposes

Support Event24 March 2011

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow

Modern Languages for Work PurposesModern Languages for Work Purposes

Jim McDonald

Qualifications Manager

Aims of the EventAims of the Event

To “take stock” of where we are To focus on approaches and uses of the Units To share existing good practice To introduce the new Unit at Advanced Higher,

including suggested approaches and uses To allow discussion to take place among

practitioners

Format of the EventFormat of the Event

Presentations – focusing on successful current practice and future plans

Launch of Advanced Higher/SCQF level 7 Unit Workshop – a forum for discussion and

opportunity to reflect on approaches to delivery and assessment

What’s Available Currently?What’s Available Currently?

Suite of 40 hour free standing Units Available at Access 3 – Higher Available across a range of ten languages :

Cantonese, French, Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Urdu

Units offer both “horizontal” and “vertical” progression

Current Presentations March 2011Current Presentations March 2011

Candidate presentations from a range of centres using the Units in a variety of vocational settings

Access 3 – 181 candidates Intermediate 1 – 120 candidates Intermediate 2 – 87 candidates Higher – 9 candidates

Total presentations – 397 candidates Candidates from school and FE sectors

How are the Units Being Used?How are the Units Being Used?

Free standing – centres delivering the Unit to candidates as a single Unit or as an addition to National Course in the same language at same level

Centre-devised Grouping – centres grouping the Unit with Unit(s)/National Course in another subject area

National Certificate – centres using

the Unit(s) as a component part of

Group Awards

How are the Units Being Used? (cont.)How are the Units Being Used? (cont.)

National Certificate – centres using the Unit(s) as a component part of Group Awards :

Travel and Tourism

Business

Administration

Media

Sound Production

Music

What Makes the Approaches Distinctive?What Makes the Approaches Distinctive?

Less prescription of content Greater focus on skills and evidence gathering Relevance to candidates in their setting Vocational, focusing on employability

Exemplification of assessment which encourages the integration of skills where possible

ASP (Assessment Support Pack) rather than NAB ASP available for French, and a generic version,

Access 3 – Higher

What’s Next?What’s Next?

The Unit at SCQF levels 3 & 4 (Access 3 and Intermediate 1) will form a component part of a new Languages Award which will be available from 2015 at these levels

This new award will provide alternative certification for candidates at these levels

More details soon on SQA website

What’s New?What’s New?

From August 2011 the Modern Languages for Work Purposes Unit will be available at AH (SCQF level 7)

Uses and application of this Unit will be presented this morning by the Writer of the Unit and ASP, John Morrow

Today’s EventToday’s Event

Jackie Gallagher, PT Mod. Langs. St. Roch’s Secondary School, Glasgow – the experience at Access 3 and Intermediate 1

Irene Copeland, PT Mod. Langs. Rosshall Academy, Glasgow – the experience at Intermediate 2 and Higher

John Morrow, Qualifications Development Specialist – Launch of the Unit at AH

Today’s Event (cont.)Today’s Event (cont.)

Workshop activity will focus on Unit specification at different levels and associated exemplification

Workshop facilitators have been closely involved with the development of the Units

Please take opportunity to discuss/ask questions

Any Questions?