Ascentis Pre-Entry Level Award in Introduction to Learning for Speakers of Other Languages

Qualification Overview

This qualification recognises the significant learning that takes place in order for some speakers of other languages to be ready to undertake further study. It recognises learners’ ability to move around their place of learning and to develop the necessary study skills to be able to access the ESOL core curriculum in the future. It offers a flexible approach to assessment, with a defined lexis and content. It allows learners to practise the underpinning skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in order to enable them to learn English effectively.

There are several features of this qualification that make it very appropriate for its target learners:

• Verification and certification can be offered throughout the year, allowing maximum flexibility for centres
• The qualification can be delivered in a range of settings
• Downloadable assessments are available on demand
• Each unit is internally assessed
• Externally set assessments are internally marked by centre assessors and then externally verified by Ascentis
• Mark schemes are user friendly and provide sufficient detailed information to support consistent assessment decisions.
• Assessment dates are determined by the centre, not Ascentis

Aims

The aims of the qualification are to enable learners:

• To operate confidently in a learning environment
• To begin their studies in English with confidence
• To develop basic underpinning skills in English listening, speaking, reading and writing

Target Group

This qualification is aimed at a range of learners, including settled minority communities and refugees/asylum seekers. Learners may be non-literate, or literate in another script but not able to access the Latin script. Learners may have had little or no experience of formal learning.

Assessment

The Ascentis Pre-Entry Level Award in Introduction to Learning for Speakers of Other Languages requires evidence of achievement of all the skills and activities that are set out in each unit within the specification. The successful achievement of all the tasks for a unit provides confirmation that all learning outcomes and assessment criteria within the units of assessment have been achieved.