Modern Languages
Bonjour! Bienvenue! Guten Tag! Willkommen!
Nous sommes / Wir sind / We are:
- Mrs Jardine
- Ms Okasha
- Mrs Fletcher
- Mrs Wright
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By studying a Modern Language, learners are able to develop the following skills:
Developing skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work
Literacy
The Courses contribute towards the development of Literacy skills by providing learners with opportunities to listen, talk, read and write in a modern language and to reflect on how this relates to English.
Citizenship
Learners will learn about the culture, customs, practices and beliefs in another country and will have the opportunity to develop all four language skills and knowledge in another language. They will develop understanding of citizenship issues in another country and will improve their understanding of their own culture and community.
Thinking skills
Learners will be given the opportunity to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding they have developed to new topics and contexts. They will also develop the ability to plan, organise and complete tasks when they undertake language activities.
Broad General Education
As of Session 2016/17, pupils study two periods of French and one of German in S1. At the end of S3 pupils can choose to study one or both languages in the Senior Phase.
Senior Phase Courses
Entry Level - Individual consultation is required but normally:
National 5
Nat 4 - Pass
Higher
Nat 5 - Pass at A-C
The Courses offer learners opportunities to develop and extend a wide range of skills. In particular, the courses aim to enable learners to develop the ability to:
- Listen and talk, read and write in a modern language
- Understand and use a modern language
- Develop the language skills of translation ( Higher)
- Apply knowledge and understanding of a modern language
National 5
Learners who are likely to be successful in achieving National 5 in a modern language in S5/6 will be motivated and will have already shown that they
- Can learn, retain and use vocabulary appropriately
- Are developing sufficient knowledge about language to write and speak accurately
- Can, with some support, evaluate their own work and identify next steps to improve
- Can work with some independence
There are 2 units in these courses:
Understanding Language
Using Language
To gain an award at National 5 / Higher a candidate is required to pass
- The internal assessments for both unit
- The end of course SQA external examination in May/June.
Unit: Using Language
The main purpose of this unit is to develop and extend the skills of Talking and Writing and to develop learners’ knowledge of detailed and complex language in order to understand and use French and/or German.
In the contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture, learners who complete this Unit will be able to
- Use detailed and complex spoken language in a modern language
- Use detailed and complex written language in a modern language
Unit: Understanding Language
The main purpose of this Unit is to develop and extend the skills of Listening and Reading in order to understand and use French and /or German
In the contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture, learners who complete this Unit will be able to
- Understand detailed and complex written language
- Understand detailed and complex spoken language
Learning and Teaching Approaches
Learners will continue to consolidate the four skills of Reading. Listening. Talking and Writing by
- Studying the modern language in the contexts of Society, Learning, Employability, Culture
- Working individually and co-operatively as appropriate to task
- Using ICT appropriately for example SCHOLAR
- Learning vocabulary on a regular basis
Unit Assessments
- Understanding Language:Reading and Listening
- Using Language:Talking and Writing
In order to be presented for the National 5 Course Assessment, learners MUST have passed all FOUR Unit Assessments.
Course Assessment
Paper 1: Reading and Writing
I hour 30 minutes
50 marks
Reading
30 marks
Learners will read three texts in the modern language each of approximately 200 words. Questions to test comprehension will be asked in English and candidates will respond in English.
Learners may use a dictionary.
Writing
20 marks
Learners will produce one written text in response to a stimulus supported by six bullet points.
Learners may use a dictionary.
Paper 2 Listening
5 minutes
20 marks
Learners will listen to one monologue and one short conversation in the modern language. Questions to test comprehension will be asked in English and learners will respond in English.
Performance :
Talking at least 4 minutes
30 marks
Learners are required to:
- Give a presentation in the modern language
- Take part in a natural, spontaneous conversation with the teacher in the modern language.
The presentation and conversation will be from one of the four contexts: society, learning, employability and culture.
The performance is assessed internally but may be subject to external verification
The Course Assessment is graded A-D
Higher
The Higher course will build upon the skills, knowledge and understanding developed at National 5. The course will provide opportunities to develop breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding and the application of skills, through the study of the modern language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture
Learners who are likely to be successful in achieving a Higher in a Modern Language in S5/6 will be motivated and will have already demonstrated at National 5 the ability to
- Write accurately in French and/or German using complex, detailed language
- Retain and use more complex vocabulary in spoken language
- Evaluate their own work and identify next steps to improve
- Work independently
Unit Assessments
- Understanding Language :Reading and Listening
- Using Language:Talking and Writing
In order to be presented for the Higher Course Assessment, learners MUST have passed all FOUR Unit Assessments.
Course Assessment
Paper 1
1 hour 40 minutes
40 marks
Reading
Translation
Directed Writing
Reading
20 marks
The Reading task will assess learners’ ability to understand a text of approximately 800 words in the modern language.
Questions about the text will be in English and learners will respond in English.
Translation
10 marks
Translation will assess learners’ ability to apply the language skills of translation. Learners will translate a section of the text into English.
Directed Writing
10 marks
The task will assess learners’ ability to write using detailed and complex language in response to a stimulus supported by four bullet points.
Length : 120-150 words
Learners may use a dictionary.
Paper 2 :Listening and Writing
1 hour
30 marks
Listening
20 marks
The Listening task will assess learners’ ability to listen to and understand a monologue and conversation in the modern language.
Questions to test comprehension will be asked in English and learners will respond in English.
Writing
10 marks
The writing task will assess learners’ ability to produce a written text in the modern language in response to a number of questions.
Length: 120-150 words
Learners may use a dictionary.
Performance: Talking 8 minutes
Learners are required to:
- Give a presentation in the modern language on one of the four contexts of society. learning. employability or culture
- Take part in a conversation using detailed and complex language
The conversation will follow on from the context of the presentation and develop into at least one other context.
The Presentation should last between 1.5-2 minutes
The Conversation should last between 4.5-6 minutes
The performance is assessed internally but may be subject to external verification
The Course Assessment is graded A-D
