Languages |
Modern Foreign Languages
Are you a tongue-tied traveller? Gain confidence speaking and using another language at a variety of levels from complete beginners to more advanced and get so much more from your holiday or business visits. Choose from: Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Italian, and Spanish.Accreditation is available through the OCR Asset Languages framework, helping you map your progress to the National Languages Ladder.
How do I choose the right level for me?
Look at the descriptions below to help you choose the correct level. If you are still unsure, please ask for advice from our freephone helpline 0800 988 0308. Below is a grid showing how each course matches against the level of other qualifications, including Asset Languages levels. Emphasis on all courses is on speaking and listening
| Course | NQF Level | OCR Asset Stage |
|---|---|---|
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Short courses - We run a variety of short courses throughout the year, with opportunities to learn about the culture as well as useful travel phrases: A Real Taste of France/Spain/Italy: come along and learn about the country and the people in a series of 3 themed sessions. French Walk and Talk: an opportunity to take part in a local walk in the summer, while practising your French. Each session will have a theme for the conversation and a mystery to solve! French/Italian/Japanese/Chinese/Greek/Spanish/German for Travel: A short 6 week course which will give you useful basic travel language to help you enjoy your trips abroad more. China – Experience the Culture: Learn more about this fascinating country and its customs and culture.
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Entry | N/A |
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Beginners Part 1 (14 weeks) Aims to encourage confidence to begin to speak and use the language. Covers topics such as: greetings, introducing yourself & others, ordering food & drink in cafes, finding your way around and booking accommodation.
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Entry | Breakthrough Grade 1 |
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Beginners Part 2 (12 weeks) You can join at this point if you already know the basics of the language. Includes topics such as: shopping, transport, tourist information, dining out, home and leisure activities, weather, plus revision of beginner topics
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Entry | Breakthrough Grade 2 |
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Year 2 (27 weeks) Builds on beginners course, to include more variety of content. Includes talking about the past and future, personal opinions, likes and dislikes.
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Entry/Level 1 | Breakthrough/Preliminary Grades 3/4 |
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Year 3 (27 weeks) Consolidates Year 2, aims to develop confidence and fluency.
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Level 1 | Preliminary Grades 4/5 |
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Year 4 (27 weeks) Courses will broaden vocabulary and structures, using present, past, and future tenses and increase confidence and fluency.
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Level 1 GCSE A*-C | Preliminary Grades 5/6 |
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Year 5 Intermediate (27 weeks) (can take up to two years to complete this level) Further developing Year 4 work, moving towards more complex structures and improving ability to hold conversations in social situations and at work. Based on a variety of current issues and topics.
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Level 2 |
Intermediate Year 1 Grades 7/8 Year 2 Grades 8/9 |
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Year 5+ (Advanced) (27 weeks): a range of levels and languages at certain centres. Varied activities to give confidence in presenting opinions and understanding those of others, through current affairs, personal interests, films, travel, culture. The emphasis on speaking and listening and there will be plenty of opportunity for practising conversation.
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Level 3 AS/A2 | Advanced Grades 10/11/12 |
*At intermediate and advanced levels, the level of the individual courses may vary depending on the makeup of the group. Please ask for further details.
British Sign Language
British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or preferred language of an estimated 50,000 - 70,000 deaf people in the UK. In March 2003 BSL was recognised by the Government as a language in its own right.
If you want to have a go at sign language, why not try a short Start to Sign course, which will introduce you to signs used in everyday situations and tips for easier communication with deaf people. This course does not include an exam.
If you want to learn British Sign Language for work or social reasons, or if you work in the voluntary, community or public sector and need a recognised qualification in British Sign Language, join our accredited Signature BSL Level 1 or Level 2 courses, which are made up of 3 units each, or the individual introductory Unit 101 Communicating at Home/Work. Please see www.signature.org.uk for general information about these qualifications. Costs include the accreditation for one unit of the 3 unit qualification, exam fees for the remaining 2 units will be taken during the course. One unit exam fee is included in the Unit 101 course.
British Sign Language Unit 101 Introduction to Communicating at Home/Work 10 weeks:
A short introductory course suitable for complete beginners, giving useful phrases and vocabulary to communicate with deaf family, friends or work colleagues. Ideal for those working in any public facing role.
Start to Sign: An short 8 week introductory course aimed at beginners to give a taste of learning sign language and some useful information about the deaf culture.
Signature Level 1 Award: Can be taken as 3 separate units or a full year course.
- Unit 101: Introductory course covering fingerspelling, personal information, meeting and helping people, talking about family, numbers, time, calendar, weather, transport and food.
- Unit 102 Conversational BSL
- Unit 103 BSL at work/college
Signature Level 2 Certificate: Builds on everyday conversational skills from Level 1 and introduces key themes such as travel, shopping, eating and drinking. Made up of 3 units:
- Unit 201 tests receptive understanding through watching a video and answering questions
- Unit 202 tests productive ability by producing a presentation on a pre-prepared topic
- Unit 203 is a discussion between learner and tutor.
Both courses are made up of 3 units, payment for the first unit is taken at enrolment. Payment for the remaining 2 units will be required during the course.
Makaton
Makaton is an internationally recognised communication programme, used in more than 40 countries worldwide. Most Makaton users are children and adults with learning and communication difficulties, who need it as their main means of communication, but everyone else who shares their lives will also use Makaton. These include the families, carers, friends and professionals such as teachers, speech and language therapists, social workers, playgroup staff, childminders, college lecturers, instructors, nurses, and psychiatrists.
We offer Makaton Foundation and also Makaton Enhancement Workshops.
Look at further information on Makaton in our Languages Levels guide and also at: www.makaton.org Learners will receive a certificate of attendance from the Makaton Charity.
The Foundation course is suitable for learners with no previous experience. The Enhancement Workshop requires previous study of the Makaton Foundation course,
All courses require the purchase of course materials, payment for these will be taken at enrolment.
New! this term Makaton Baby Sign: Six 1 hour sessions
Makaton Signing for Babies is a fun and easy way to learn to sign with your baby. Signing while speaking has been shown to encourage the development of communication and language skills. It can help reduce frustrations and help you to understand your baby’s needs and wants. Makaton signing for babies is provided as a series of sessions for you and your baby. Together you will learn up to 100 signs and have fun practising them in songs ,games and activities.
Information on course content is available in the course information sheets or contact the freephone helpline for advice.
Learner quotes
- “I’ve loved the course, because I can really talk to people now when I go on holiday”
- "I feel more confident ordering drinks and food"
- “I really wanted to try again at a language, I never dared to speak out in class at school. I’ve made so much progress!”
- “I can understand jokes and join in at the local bar when I go on holiday”
- “I wish I’d come years ago, school was never like this!”
- “I often travel for work and being able to speak even a little of the language makes so much difference”
Useful links
BBC Languages: Test your level online!
Try the BBC languages website to gauge your level: www.bbc.co.uk/languages
Page Last Updated: 25 January 2012
