Sure. Grades and exams matter. We want young people to get the best outcomes and have access to a world of opportunities.

Let’s not miss what we're really trying to achieve though.

Young people with the character traits and personal attributes that allow them to achieve ambitious goals once they go out into the world and we can’t be there to hold their hand.

Getting to this point is not about them just showing up and following a curriculum and planned activities. Their language education and training needs to give them daily and weekly opportunities to:

Commit: focus their energy and attention on a goal that matters beyond getting a grade.

Challenge: face situations that push thinking and skills beyond their comfort zone.

Collaborate: work with others from different cultures to solve problems and complete projects.

Create: produce pieces of work and make things that solve specific problems.

Contribute: use language for something that has an impact beyond themselves.

Practicing these until they become their habitual way of behaving and thinking allows for good things to easily follow.