Languages Short Course
About this course
What is it?
The Languages Short Course has been developed in partnership with the Association for Language Learning (ALL), aimed mainly, but not exclusively, at supporting core subjects in schools. The Languages Short Course accredits between 10 and 60 hours of foreign language studies and activities and provides a curriculum that can lead towards, enhance and support GCSEs and the EBacc.
You can use it:
- as an introductory or companion course for young people at various ages and stages in their language learning
- to build and underpin academic excellence in language studies, e.g. as a foundation for EBacc
- for learners of all abilities, in all languages to enjoy and achieve
- in flexible ways to suit your situation
- for certificates of achievement in a wide variety of language-learning activities
- to help young people see the relevance of language learning – to contextualise, enthuse, intrigue, develop skills, deepen knowledge, understanding and communication and build confidence
This Short Course can be completed using the student book or is available for learners to complete online through the ASDAN e-portfolio system. Learners log in to complete challenges, record skills development and upload evidence. Tutors can view learner progress and sign off work, leaving feedback as needed.
Join ASDAN
To teach this course you must have one of these membership types:
- Programmes Plus
- Programmes
- Qualifications
Already a member? Sign in
Who is it for?
Short Courses are widely used in formal and non-formal settings, by 13-19 year olds. Because they are multi-level, the focus is on completing challenges and skills development according to individual ability, although learners are expected to be working at Entry level 3 to Level 1.
Facts and figures
- Flexible, multi-level programme
- Internally moderated
- Accredits 10-60 hours of activities
- Can count as up to 3 of the credits needed to achieve the Personal Development Programmes
- Can be used as skills development for ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications and may contribute to recognition of prior learning where standards are met in full
Requirements
Learners must present evidence of their activities in an organised portfolio or e-portfolio.
This will contain:
- a record of challenges completed, with supporting evidence for each challenge
- recording documents, showing how learners have planned and reviewed their activities
- summary of achievement, highlighting skills development
- personal statement
Course Content
The Languages Short Course contains seven modules:
- It's my life (my world and the world about me)
- Just getting in touch (communication and interaction)
- The perfect host (hosts, visitors and local knowledge)
- What's it like over there? (lifestyles)
- My language (sounds, spelling, pronunciation and intonation)
- What's going on? (contemporary culture)
- Imagine (creativity and open topics)
Each learner will need their own copy of the Short Course student book or an e-portfolio login – this contains the challenge content and recording documents.
Download sample pages from the Languages Short Course student book and the Languages Short Course tutor notes.
Supporting Resources
A free set of downloadable tutor notes to support the Languages Short Course containing guidance for each challenge and suggested resources are available to centres registered for Short Courses in the members' area.
A quick guide to Short Courses is also available to support the delivery of all ASDAN Short Courses. This document offers advice and guidance for tutors, including a step-by-step guide to delivery.
For guidance on running ASDAN Short Courses, please see our step-by-step guides:
ASDAN training events are delivered by experts to enable your centre to successfully run our courses. They provide an introduction to the course, along with guidance on the processes involved, course delivery and moderation.
Costs
All costs shown below are per candidate, unless otherwise stated. Each learner will need their own copy of the student book. Books or registrations purchased for Short Courses are valid for three years from the date of purchase.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Languages Short Course student book | £12 |
| Languages Short Course PDF certificate | Free |
| Languages Short Course printed and foiled certificate (optional, per learner, per Short Course) | £3.75 |
Products can be purchased below.
Products
Course resources
Evaluation chart (individual)
This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week individual activity. Learners are asked to mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt; at the end of the project the learner should join up the marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Evaluation chart (group)
This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week group activity. Each member of the group should choose a different colour and mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt. At the end of the project, each group member then joins up their marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Planning a group or team task
This resource can be used when planning a group or team task. It links particularly well to ASDAN's Short Course programmes.
Self-evaluation template
This generic self-evaluation template can be used by learners to evaluate almost any group activity. Learners are asked to record how they felt about the activity and pick out the best and worst bits, before reflecting on what they could do better next time. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Teamwork health check
This generic teamwork health check template can support a wide range of group activities. Learners are asked to come up with a list of agreed ground rules for good teamwork, then rate each group member's performance against these criteria. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : Word version (mandatory)