Asset Languages Cantonese /Traditional Chinese tests IS COMING! During the 2005 UKFCS Teachers Training Conference, Mrs Dominique Slade, the Senior Development Manager of UCLES, had introduced Asset Languages Chinese tests to delegates who had expressed great interest. However, these tests are for students who only use Putonghua/Simplified Chinese, thus, cannot satisfy the majority of our member students who speak Cantonese and write Traditional Chinese. Because of this, UKFCS had sent a petition letter to Ms Kate Green of DfES reflecting the opinion of Chinese Community Schools. In the letter, we requested the introduction of Cantonese/Traditional Chinese tests in Asset Languages so that it would be compatible with GCSE Chinese. Some member schools had also joined in the petition. We can now break the wonderful news that DfES has agreed to introduce Cantonese/Traditional Chinese in Asset Languages. Mr Joe Au, Mrs Catalina Brook, UKFCS Councillors; Mr Eddy Lam and Mr Jack Ho had been invited to attend the 1st meeting with Ms Cristina Rimini, the Development Leader, and Ms Eleni Karagianni, the Assistant Development Manager of Asset Languages on the 4th of December 2006. During the meeting, both parties understood the importance of Cantonese/Traditional Chinese in Asset Languages and the necessary tasks ahead. It is expected that the Breakthrough Cantonese/Traditional Chinese tests will be available in March, 2008. Since the task of introducing Cantonese/Traditional Chinese tests in Asset Languages will require a lot of language specialists, we would urge those teachers who have in-depth knowledge of Cantonese/ Traditional Chinese to take part in this project. Asset Languages need test writers, translators, examiners and proof-readers to carry out the works. Please apply to be an Asset Language Specialist for Cantonese using the following website: http://www.assetlanguages.org.uk/centres/specialists.aspx Apart from working for Asset Languages, UKFCS Member Schools can become test centres, and encourage their teachers to be trained as Accredited Teachers. These teachers can conduct tests for their students as well as those from nearby schools, and then award the ‘Grade Award
Certificates’ to the students. These students can also apply the External Assessment tests and be awarded QCA recognized qualifications. Please browse the following website for more details: http://www.assetlanguages.org.uk What Asset Languages can bring to Chinese Language education in UK? ①. Help schools to assess the language level of students ②. Help schools to allocate students to appropriate classes ③. Motivate students to learn and bring satisfaction ④. Reduce the requirement of teachers to prepare internal test papers ⑤. No age and language background restriction As Asset Languages provide so many benefits to our students, teachers and schools, we would like you to actively participating in this project and implement the tests! Education Committee UKFCS