Course Outline and progression
In S1 all learners study French for three periods per week to build on their prior learning in primary school.
In S2 learners experience all three languages. They study French, German and Spanish in blocks of approximately twelve weeks consisting of three periods per week. The provision of these language courses in S1 and S2 ensure that learners are exposed to all three languages and can, therefore, make a more informed decision as to which language or languages they would like to continue with in S3.
In S3 learners continue to study a subject or subjects within the faculty of Modern Languages. They have the choice to study one or more languages from French, German and Spanish. A small group of learners have the option to choose our European Studies course in S3 rather than a discrete language. The European Studies option is a one year course and does not lead to qualification level. In S3 learners are allocated two periods per week for whichever option they have chosen to study.
Learners are strongly encouraged and have the choice to continue with one or more languages in the senior phase. Learners are usually allocated five periods per week for whichever language they have chosen to study in the senior phase. They will work at National 4 or National 5 level first depending on their ability and can then continue their studies to Higher and Advanced Higher level.
Curriculum Overview
All course materials are now provided on Microsoft Teams.
In the files section of their Team for Modern Languages learners will have access to documents detailing:
- the content that will be covered throughout the course
- the grammar points they will cover
- the homework tasks they will be expected to complete
- the assessments they will complete for each unit
- the independent learning tasks they can do to improve their knowledge of the language
How can learners be helped with their language learning at home?
Coursework
Vocabulary: Check that they have learned their vocabulary. The vocabulary document for each unit is in the files section of their Team. They should have also saved a copy of it into their own language folder. Even if you don’t speak the language, you can still help them to learn their vocabulary. You could say the word or phrase in English and they could say or spell it in the language they are learning.
Worksheets: Are they completing the worksheets in their language folder to the best of their ability? Maybe you could check. The master copies of all the worksheets are in the files section of their Team. They should save a copy of the worksheet into their own folder before completing it.
Homework: You have access to Satchel One so you can see if they have completed all homework tasks that have been set.
Revision: Are they taking the time to revise the vocabulary and grammar notes in their language folders? Maybe you could take the time to ask them.
Assessments: There should be a note on Satchel One of when they will be doing any assessments. The details will also be posted on Teams.
Independent Learning: We actively encourage all learners to use the following websites for at least ten minutes every day to enhance their language skills.
Linguascope: www.linguascope.com
They can use the beginner level for basic vocabulary revision.
The intermediate level can be used to extend their knowledge of the language.
They will be given the login details by their teacher.
Duolingo: www.duolingo.com
Duolingo is a very good language app.
It is free to register to use it.
It may also be used by the class teacher to set work and monitor progress.