Improvements to be made to A level foreign languages
Ofqual, the exams regulator, has promised that A-levels in modern foreign languages will be marked more fairly from next summer (2015). The move follows repeated complaints from schools, the Association for Languages learning and ISMLA that too few students were getting top marks in language exams compared with other subjects. Ofqual has published a report exploring assessment quality issues in A level modern foreign languages, which identifies changes that exam boards must make to their assessments in time for the next year’s exams.
The Ofqual investigation was undertaken in response to concerns expressed by teachers about the unfairly low percentage of A* grades in A-level modern foreign languages, and the variability in marking.
The report showed:
- that the bunching of raw marks and the statistical calculation for the A* boundary led to the lower than expected percentage of A* grades, and recommended that the exam boards ensure a wider spread of raw marks for the Summer 2015 exams so that a fair number of A* grades are awarded;
- that specific aspects in the designs of the mark schemes had led to unreliability / variability in the marking. The details varied from board to board and language to language, but changes will be made in time for this summer’s exams. This means that schools should find that the "rank order" of their candidates is more in line with expectation.
- that the recommendations made will help with the design of the new “linear” A-levels, including the speaking and writing elements in particular.
The recommendations will NOT require teachers or students to change teaching and learning or the way they prepare for exams. The most visible difference to teachers and students will be that the exam paper for listening and reading will contain fewer questions where nearly all the candidates are securing very high marks (i.e. do not lead to a spread of marks amongst the candidates taking the exam), and more questions with a greater spread of marks.
Helen Myers, Chair of ALL’s London branch, said "It is very encouraging that Ofqual have responded to concerns expressed by ALL and other language and head teacher organisations about the assessment of A level modern foreign languages and the relative under-awarding of A* grades. Most importantly, Ofqual are requiring exam boards to take action for the Summer 2015 exams, as well as making recommendations for the new linear A-levels."
Nick Mair, Chair of ISMLA, said: "The exam issues that face teachers at both state and independent schools are the same. We are delighted that the combined work of ALL and ISMLA has, we hope, gone much of the way to addressing a system which has not worked in the interests of pupils, teachers or the UK."
More detail:
Prepared by Helen Myers (Chair of ALL London) and David Blow (ASCL Data Group)
Guide to Ofqual Technical Report
A Level Modern Languages update over time
A Level Modern Languages grade boundaries for June 2014
Further information:
Ofqual’s ReportThe HMC / NAHT / ASCL joint press release
Reaction from the Association of School & College Leaders
JCQ report, July 2014: "A review of Modern Foreign Languages at A level: A* grade and low take up"