Examination qualifications for British Sign Language at the General Certificate of Secondary Education level
Ofqual Announces Changes to GCSE British Sign Language Assessments
The UK's Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has revealed updates to the assessment structure for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in British Sign Language (BSL). These changes aim to ensure a fair, rigorous, and meaningful evaluation of BSL as a GCSE, taking into account its unique visual-spatial modality.
Assessment Structure
The updated GCSE in BSL will consist of a combination of practical and written assessments, focusing on receptive skills, expressive skills, grammar, vocabulary, and cultural understanding. The assessments will be designed to test students' conversational BSL skills, their ability to understand and express detailed information, and their engagement with Deaf culture.
Practical assessments will involve learners demonstrating their signing skills in real-time conversations or prepared presentations, assessed by qualified examiners. Receptive skills will be tested through understanding signs via video clips or live signing, while written or recorded assessments may include explanations, translations, or reflective answers on Deaf culture and language use.
Assessment Conditions
Examinations will be conducted under secure and controlled conditions, with clear criteria for performance levels. Internal and external assessments will be required to maintain standardization and validity. Signature, the recognized awarding body, will administer the external assessments.
Grading and Standards
Ofqual's requirements ensure the GCSE grading aligns with national standards. Detailed marking schemes specify how communicative accuracy, fluency, and comprehension will be evaluated.
Learning Outcomes
GCSE candidates must be able to perform conversational BSL, understand and express detailed information, and engage with Deaf culture respectfully and knowledgeably.
Quality Assurance
Examiner training, moderation, and compliance with the subject-level conditions are mandatory to uphold qualification integrity.
Changes to Assessment Objectives
One minor change will be made to the wording of an assessment objective to improve clarity. Further information about the language of the assessment and specific assessment considerations for GCSEs in BSL is under consideration by Ofqual.
Implementation
Ofqual has decided to proceed with the implementation of GCSEs in BSL, as outlined in their consultation. The timeline for the implementation of these changes is yet to be announced. The feedback received from respondents is being considered as Ofqual drafts proposals for its consultation on the detailed rules and assessment requirements for exam boards offering this qualification.
Ofqual invites feedback from interested parties to help inform its thinking in these areas. The consultation document outlines the proposals for GCSEs in BSL that Ofqual has decided to implement. For precise and detailed regulatory text, consult Ofqual’s official website or the most current Ofqual publication on BSL GCSE for the authoritative rules and conditions.
These changes reflect Ofqual's commitment to supporting BSL qualifications post its recognition under the BSL Act 2022. The implementation of GCSEs in BSL will include the changes decided upon by Ofqual, ensuring a fair and meaningful assessment of this important language.
Education and self-development in British Sign Language (BSL) can be achieved through the updated GCSE in BSL, which offers a combination of practical and written assessments designed to test students' conversational skills, understanding of detailed information, and engagement with Deaf culture.
Continuous learning in BSL can be facilitated by regular practice of signing skills, improving receptive skills through understanding signs via video clips or live signing, and increased cultural understanding as demonstrated in written or recorded assessments.
