COURSE OUTLINES

 BGE (S1-3)

 

Working across all 4 skills, learners will build skills that will allow them to recognise and produce language that allows them to describe key aspects of their own lives: home, school, free-time activities, local area (S1), clothes and fashion, going out, food and drink, holidays (S2).

Grammar is covered in a progressive way and in a way which provides appropriate challenge for each young person.

In S3 the pace of learning increases and topics are looked at in more depth, with more complex vocabulary and grammar. Topics covered are media, family & friends, home area & environment, travel.

 

 

National 4 - Course Outline

 

National 4 Modern Languages will allow pupils who so choose to further develop the Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing skills learned in S3 in order to understand and use the language with increasing confidence. The S4 course will provide pupils with the opportunity to learn their chosen language in the context of real-life, transactional scenarios and focuses on the three themes of Society (lifestyle), Learning and Employability. The course will also enable pupils to explore and develop their understanding and appreciation of various aspects of the culture through individual and group activities, which will integrate their language skills with core skills for learning, life and work.

 

Course Structure: National 4 is assessed entirely internally.

Understanding Language Unit – pupils are required to provide evidence of their Reading and Listening skills in 2 or more themes.

 

Using Language Unit - pupils are required to provide evidence of their Talking and Writing skills in 2 or more themes.

 

Added Value Unit – pupils will use all four skills to research, prepare and present a talk about a topic of their own choosing and answer questions from the class.

 

National 5 - Course Outline

 

National 5 Modern Languages will allow pupils who so choose to further develop the Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing skills learned in S3 in order to understand and use the language with increasing confidence. The S4 course will provide pupils with the opportunity to learn their chosen language in the context of real-life, transactional scenarios and focuses on the three themes of Society (lifestyle), Learning and Employability. The course will also enable pupils to explore and develop their understanding and appreciation of various aspects of the culture through individual and group activities, which will integrate their language skills with core skills for learning, life and work.

 

Course Structure:

National 5 follows the same language themes as National 4 but at a more advanced level. A learner must pass the final external exam for the course.

 

External Exam - consists of:

Component 1 – performance: Talking (30 marks)

Component 2 – question paper: Reading and Writing (50 marks)

Component 3 – question paper: Listening (20 marks)

 

Higher - Course Outline

 

The Higher Modern Languages course offers learners the opportunity to develop detailed and complex language skills in the four meaningful real-life contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture. It provides learners with the opportunity to build on skills and knowledge developed at National 5 in Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing. Learners will also develop a more in-depth understanding of how language works and will use language to communicate ideas, opinions and information. The course will also enhance their enjoyment and understanding of their own and other cultures.

 

Course Structure:

The final exam consists of 2 written papers and a performance in Talking.

Paper 1: Reading and Directed Writing (an essay in the past tense from a choice of two scenarios). (40 marks)

 

Paper 2: Listening and Writing (an essay on an aspect of one of the topics from the four contexts) (30 marks)

 

Performance: Talking. Candidates must deliver a spoken presentation then take part in a follow-up conversation. This is marked internally. (30 marks)

 

Advanced Higher - Course Outline

 

Learning a new language enables learners to make connections with different people and their cultures and to play a fuller part as global citizens. The Advanced Higher course will provide learners with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of increasingly complex and sophisticated language in the contexts of Society, Culture, Learning and Employability. They will develop advanced skills in Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing as well as in translation and literary appreciation. In addition, there will be more emphasis on developing independent learning skills including research and analytical skills. The ability to use language lies at the centre of thinking and learning and the study of a modern language has a unique contribution to make to the development of cultural awareness and active citizenship. Progression from Advanced Higher Modern Languages includes further and higher education and careers in fields such as business, diplomatic service, education, translating and interpreting, law, media and tourism.

 

Assessment:

To pass the course, learners must pass all three units (which are assessed internally) as well as the final exam.

The final exam consists of 2 written papers, a performance in Talking and a portfolio.

 

Paper 1: Reading and Translation (25%)

Paper 2: Listening and Discursive Writing (35%)

Portfolio:

Written in English, this will allow learners to demonstrate their analytical skills in relation to literature, media or language in work within the context of the modern language. Learners will produce one piece of writing in English of 1200–1500 words (15%)

 

Performance:

Learners will talk about themes or topics related to the Specialist Study Unit and at least one context from Society, Learning, Employability or Culture studied in the Understanding Language or Using Language Units or in preparation of the portfolio. (25%)

 

HOMEWORK POLICY

 

 

The Languages Faculty will issue all homework for session 2020-21 through Teams. We would ask that the class teacher is informed if there are any difficulties in accessing this platform and we will provide support as appropriate.

 

In Modern Languages learners are asked to sign up for an account with Quizlet using their Glow email address. This will allow them to complete weekly vocabulary tasks either via the webpage or using the free App. In addition Kahoot tasks are also used to evaluate learning and will be regularly set as homework, particularly in the BGE.

 

 

YEAR GROUP	FREQUENCY OF HOME- WORK TASKS	EXAMPLES OF HOMEWORK TASKS	TIME REQUIRED TO COMPLETE TASK
S1 and S2	Weekly	Learning vocabulary using Quizlet/from booklet Evidencing learning using Kahoot Learning Talking preparation for assessments Short written homework set on Teams (tasks such as writing model sentences, gap-fill, language activities, cultural research)	45 mins (more for Speaking preparation)
S3	Weekly	Learning vocabulary using Quizlet/from booklet Evidencing learning using Kahoot Learning Talking preparation for assessments Short written homework set on Teams (tasks such as writing model sentences, gap-fill, language activities, cultural research)	Up to 1 hour (more for Speaking preparation)
N4	Weekly	Learning vocabulary using Quizlet/from booklet Evidencing learning using Kahoot Learning Talking preparation for assessments Short written homework set on Teams (tasks such as writing model sentences, gap-fill, language activities, cultural research)	Up to 1 hour (more for Speaking preparation)
N5	Weekly	Learning vocabulary from booklet Reading comprehension tasks from homework booklet Writing paragraphs in preparation for the Job Application letter and Writing assignment/Speaking presentation Preparing/learning example answers for the Speaking performance conversation Occasional grammar exercises Exam revision and past paper practice in the lead up to practice and SQA exams	1 - 1.5 hours
Higher	Weekly	Learning vocabulary from booklet Reading comprehension tasks Grammar exercises Preparing/learning example answers for the Speaking performance conversation Writing topic essays in preparation for the Writing assignment Directed Writing tasks and essays to practise for the final exam Exam revision and past paper practice in the lead up to practice and SQA exams	1 - 2 hours
Advanced Higher	Weekly	Learning vocabulary from booklet Reading comprehension tasks Grammar exercises Preparing and learning example answers for the final Speaking exam (visiting examiner) Writing Discursive topic essays to practise for the final exam Exam revision and past paper practice in the lead up to practice and SQA exams 1 - 2 hours