Developing new MFL AS and A levels for first teaching in 2018
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Assessment arrangements
When deciding on assessment arrangements for these subjects, we considered responses to our consultation and potential impacts of our decisions, including in terms of regulatory burden and in relation to protected characteristics. Alongside this document, we publish an evaluation of responses to our consultation together with our assessments of potential impacts of our decisions.
We have decided that new AS and A levels in modern foreign languages that meet the DfE’s content requirements for languages with “smaller cohorts” must be assessed by exam only. This reflects the requirements of the subject content.
Assessment objectives
We have also decided that new AS and A levels in modern foreign languages that meet the DfE’s content requirements for languages with “smaller cohorts” must use the following assessment objectives
| Reference | Assessment objective | Weighting (A level) | Weighting (AS level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Understand and respond in writing to spoken language drawn from a variety of sources | 20% | 20% |
| AO2 | Understand and respond in writing to written language drawn from a variety of sources | 30% | 30% |
| AO3 | Manipulate the language accurately, in written form, using a range of lexis and structure | 30% | 30% |
| AO4 (AS level) | Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically to, different aspects of the culture and society of countries/communities where the language is spoken | n/a | 20% |
| AO4 (A level) | Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society of countries/communities where the language is spoken | 20% | n/a |
Feedback received
Detail of feedback received
There were 15 responses to the consultation; 6 from organisations, 6 from individuals, 1 from a school, and 2 from awarding organisations.
Respondents who commented on our proposals broadly supported them.
Some respondents commented on the lack of a speaking assessment in these languages. This is a consequence of the requirements in the subject content, and outside the scope of this consultation.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation covers the following modern foreign languages which typically have smaller cohorts:
- Arabic
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- modern Greek
- modern Hebrew
- Japanese
- Panjabi
- Persian
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Turkish
- Urdu
There is a Department for Education consultation on the subject content for these languages.
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 1 December 2016Last updated 3 March 2017 + show all updates
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Published public feedback and consultation outcome
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First published.