Asset/CILT assesssment for KS2

[Jan Lewandowski]

Just logged on to www.primarylanguages.org.uk and clicked on `news'. (Apologies to anyone who has received this message via the mailtalk forum)

Picked up this, that I knew nothing about; has this information gone out to all primaries now? Is the same material available for LAs, other than the pdf examples on the site? Can anyone here give us more information?


During the first half of May, every primary school in the country will receive a taster pack of new support materials from Asset Languages to help teachers in KS2 to identify, plan for and record progression along the DCSF Languages Ladder.

This is the first phase of a programme of material from Asset Languages, working together with CILT, to enable teachers to monitor their learners’
progress with any scheme of work at KS2. Asset and CILT are developing the programme on behalf of the DCSF.

Over the next fortnight, schools will receive the ‘Making and Marking Progress’ pack containing guidance aimed at teachers of children in their third term of learning a new language. The pack contains examples given in French, although the activities are relevant for any language.

The sample distributed in May 2009 is intended as an introduction. Over the next two years, further material will be rolled out to all primary schools providing guidance relating to each term of KS2. Language examples will be provided in French, Spanish and German.

This new programme of support material is being developed in addition to the assessment material available for primary language teachers from Asset Languages.
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Bonnes vacances Jan

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

I can see this pack being more of a hint of what is to come in terms of APP materials in the future possibly, but there is no real NC level link as it measures against Breakthrough and then in turn Languages Ladder - and as teachers are required to report NC levels at KS3 to parents it would make sense for us all to be using the same system. Of course in turn we have new NC proposed descriptors out which measure more along the KS2 Framework - ie will move from 4 attainment targets (listening speaking reading and writing) to 3 (oracy, literacy and Intercultural understanding). So far a resounding silence from everybody including ASSET as to how we assess that third AT!
Having looked at the Asset pack now - I'm with Sarah - they did say at the language show they would go back and look at the language/vocabulary issue again - they clearly have not.

[Lorraine]

I too have looked online (hence speed-read only) and think these are not generic enough to be of actual use for most teachers.

[Jan Lewandowski]

Seems to me that the Asset pack throws yet another thing into the mix re. assessment. We surely need to maintain a lighter touch to get PL properly off the ground: sustainable and manageable. How are we to teach and assess in barely an hour a week? There is anxiety about this in some schools; I don't really think that this is a particularly realistic answer to the problem.

[Sarah Ferretti]

Dear Jan,
I did attend the Primary Languages Show in Liverpool too and I went to the Asset talk where I got both pack (draft) and memory stick. We've also received the pack in school. Whilst we find this material great as we can make up Asset tasks for Les Quatre Amis, we think that the Asset Tasks A.1 and A.2 for both Reading and Listening have very little to do with the QCA scheme of work. These tasks can’t be modified/replaced and do assess specific vocabulary (chemise, trompette, je reste dans ma chambre, etc.) that our students haven't learnt, so we don't feel we can assess them using the Teacher's Pack. I remember that this issue was raised at the conference and that the Asset speaker said they would review the Asset Assessment material to fit with the QCA SoW. Did I get this right? Did anybody else understand the same?

[Victoria Cooke]

I got this pack sent to school. Was just wondering what to do with it!! I haven't really got my head around formal assessment yet. Are lots of schools using the languages ladder?

I've seen something about certificates. Are they DIY jobs or are there some official ones?

[Jan Lewandowski]

Well blow me down! A pack from Asset was waiting for me when I got home; have no recollection of ordering it any time or anywhere. Maybe it is a mail shot as it came from the marketing department?

[Jan Lewandowski]

Thanks Alessandra
I'm on the case to get the pack from Asset- the person to contact is Jo McGowan. I'm reserving judgement til I see the material,

Jan

[Alessandra Lombardi]

Hi everyone,
it seem I'm the only one in the group to have received the taster pack from Asset and CILT(I must have clicked something on a website and then forgotten about it). This contains a guidance for teachers in KS 2 who are in their third term of learning a new language and it is divided into speaking, reading, writing and listening'. In fact, the pack contains materials for Year 3 only and can be adapted for any language (yes!). It seems interesting and promisung although I haven't gone through it really yet. thanks Jan for pointing it out to us. We will miss you in Cambridgeshire, good luck with your new job.

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Aha - memory sticks - did not get one of them! Not fair! Have they got anything else on them by the way Marie?

[Marie Jobber]

Assets were giving out memory sticks at the PLS, with all the documentation. I've got two I think, so if I can help, let me know.
Marie