Value of Learning a Language at Qualification Level
Learning a language enables learners to make connections with different people and cultures and to play a part as global citizens. They reflect, communicate and develop ideas through language. Through learning a language, learners develop skills in reading, listening, talking and writing, which are essential for learning, life and work. They also develop an understanding of how language works. The courses also provide learners with the opportunity to use creative and critical thinking to express ideas and arguments and to enhance their enjoyment and understanding of their own language.
Learners are strongly encouraged and have the choice to continue with one or more languages in the senior phase. They 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 have to complete
- the independent learning tasks they can do to improve their knowledge of the language
National 4 French / German / Spanish
Content
The course has two mandatory units and an added value unit:
Understanding Language
The purpose of this unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop reading and listening skills in the language and to develop their knowledge of straightforward language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.
Using Language
The purpose of this unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop talking and writing skills in the language and to develop their knowledge of straightforward language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.
Added Value Unit: Assignment
The purpose of this unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to apply their language skills to investigate a chosen topic in a familiar context in the language.
Assessment
To pass National 4 in a language, a learner must pass all the mandatory units and the added value unit mentioned above.
There is no external exam for National 4 in Modern Languages.
Homework
Homework will vary depending on the units being covered. There is an expectation that learners will revise classwork regularly to consolidate learning. Preparation for assessments will also form part of the homework for the course.
Entry Requirements
Learners should have completed the S3 specialism in the language.
National 5 French / German / Spanish
Content
The purpose of a National 5 language course is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop reading, listening, talking and writing skills in the language and to develop their knowledge and understanding of detailed language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.
Assessment
To gain the award for the course, learners must pass all the course assessments. The course assessments are graded A - D. The grade is determined on the basis of the total mark for all course assessments together.
The course assessment will take the form of a performance through which the learner will demonstrate their talking skills, an assignment through which they will demonstrate their writing skills and two question papers through which they will demonstrate their reading, writing and listening skills, in the language.
The structure of the course assessment is as follows:
| Components 1 & 2 | Question Paper | Reading and Writing | 50 marks |
| Component 3 | Question Paper | Listening | 20 marks |
| Component 4 | Assignment | Writing | 20 marks |
| Component 5 | Performance | Talking | 30 marks |
Homework
Learning a language requires time and effort. Learning new words, phrases and structures is an important part of the course. Reading and writing tasks will also be set throughout the course.
Entry Requirements
Learners should have a good understanding of the work covered during the S3 specialism in the language or if they completed the National 4 course in the language, they should have done well in the assessments.
Higher French / German / Spanish
Content
The purpose of a Higher language course is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop and extend reading, listening, talking and writing skills in the language and to develop their knowledge and understanding of detailed and complex language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.
Assessment
To gain the award for the course, learners must pass all of the course assessments. The course assessments are graded A - D. The grade is determined on the basis of the total mark for all course assessments together.
The course assessment will take the form of an assignment through which learners will demonstrate their writing skills, a performance through which they will demonstrate their talking skills and two question papers through which they will demonstrate their reading, writing and listening skills, in the language.
The structure of the course assessment is as follows:
| Components 1 & 2 | Question Paper | Reading and Directed Writing | 50 marks |
| Component 3 | Question Paper | Listening | 20 marks |
| Component 4 | Assignment | Writing | 20 marks |
| Component 5 | Performance | Performance | 30 marks |
Homework
Learning a language requires time and effort. Learning new words, phrases and structures is an important part of the course. Reading and writing tasks will be set throughout the course. Time will also be devoted to preparation for assessments.
Entry Requirements
Learners should have a very good understanding of the work covered during the National 5 course in the language and should have also done well in any assessments completed.
Advanced Higher French / German / Spanish
Content
The purpose of an Advanced Higher language course is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop and extend reading, listening, talking and writing skills in the language and to develop their knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture. The course also provides learners with the opportunity to develop and extend planning, research and analytical skills in order to undertake an independent study based on literature, media or language in work.
Assessment
To gain the award for the course, learners must pass all of the course assessments. The course assessments are graded A - D. The grade is determined on the basis of the total mark for all course assessments together.
The course assessment will take the form of a performance through which learners will demonstrate their talking skills, a portfolio through which they will demonstrate their analytical skills and a question paper through which they will demonstrate their reading, translation, listening and writing skills, in the language.
The structure of the course assessment is as follows:
| Components 1 & 2 | Question Paper | Reading and Translation | 50 marks |
| Components 3 & 4 | Question Paper | Listening and Discursive Writing | 70 marks |
| Component 5 | Portfolio | Analytical Writing | 30 marks |
| Component 6 | Performance | Talking | 50 marks |
Homework
Learning a language requires time and effort, especially at Advanced Higher level. Time will have to be devoted to developing language skills as well as preparation for assessments.
Entry Requirements
Learners should have a very good understanding of the work covered during the Higher course in the language and should have also achieved a grade A or B in the Higher exam.