Secondary School - Aptitude Test for Languages

[davidla]

A very good secondary school reasonably near us allows about 30 students to enter year 7 based on Aptitude Test for Languages.
Does anyone have experience of these? The school says they can't let us know about previous test questions, so I wondered if anyone know what kind of questions they ask?
Thanks!

A school near us has aptitude for language tests.
From what I can gather they use a less well known language, they give the children an example of a verb in a language with its different endings for past, present, future
then give other verb roots and they are supposed to work out past, present future for those. I assume there must be more to the test.

Your child wouldn't be expected to learn another language for the test, as it is about potential rather than ability.

Also ask around if you know other children that have taken the test in the past.

Also each school set their own type of test, so it may be different from the above.

Thanks for that.
I was aware that our DS wouldn't have to learn a language for the test, just wondered what kinds of questions would get asked - so that's a bit more knowledge gained! (I believe there is also an oral section as well.)
Will see if I can find out about other kids who have taken the test.

Bumping up in the hope there is more recent experience? Can't find anything online.

Surely if its about "natural" aptitude and potential, then helping them to prepare is anathema. Doesn't this then skew and make a mockery of the idea of so called innate ability and plop advantage into the court of the already clued up educated middle class? If the child is "able" then they don't need help.

Are there any studies to show whether kids with 'language aptitude' go on to do better at GCSE languages / more likely to go on to language A levels?

My son did this type of test, they are looking for the ability to form patterns/associations, and identify stem words, male/female words etc.

They usually use really random / unknown languages but give you an example to follow on from. For example, does the adjective come before or after the noun? A black cat v un chat noir.

They may also test confidence in speaking an unknown foreign language and they are looking for confidence/give it a go rather than accuracy.

I think it helps a child to understand the rules of languages and if they haven't learned one in primary school or have experienced the shit language teaching in primary then this isn't about learning the answers but understanding the type of questions they may be asked.

I came across this if it helps. lltf.net/mlat-sample-items/

Thank you. I love that it's giving everyone a chance and to see about natural aptitude. Just wanted an idea of what it's like so not to be so surprising.