Modern Languages
Modern Languages
It is estimated that the UK economy loses up to £48 billion per year due to a lack of foreign language speakers. Many universities and colleges offer modern language modules alongside other degree courses, which allows you to combine your main study with languages to stand out when you apply for jobs.
Countless industries value employees who can communicate in another language, including international business, tourism and hospitality, education, public services such as the Civil Service and diplomacy, healthcare, media and marketing, law, technology and finance. You may choose to use your languages to travel, or to live and work abroad. Studying French or Spanish in S4 is the first step on this journey!
Pathways:
It is estimated that the UK economy loses up to £48 billion per year due to a lack of foreign language speakers. Many universities and colleges offer modern language modules alongside other degree courses, which allows you to combine your main study with languages to stand out when you apply for jobs.
Countless industries value employees who can communicate in another language, including international business, tourism and hospitality, education, public services such as the Civil Service and diplomacy, healthcare, media and marketing, law, technology and finance. You may choose to use your languages to travel, or to live and work abroad. Studying French or Spanish in S4 is the first step on this journey!
Pathways:
Course/Level Breakdown:
National 4
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society.
Suitable Candidates
Learners suitable for National 4 will be clear that this is the most suitable pathway following learner conversations and target setting with their class teacher in S3.
Course Assessment
This course is assessed entirely through continuous assessment. There is no final exam.
National 5
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society. Learners will complete 37.5% of their assessment throughout the course, which takes pressure off the final exam.
Suitable Candidates
All learners who have studied languages at S3 and have demonstrated appropriate level of knowledge required to undertake requirements at National 5.
Course Assessment
Talking (25%) – This is made up of a presentation and conversation in Spanish. The assessment will take place in February – before the final exam.
Writing (25%) – there are 2 assessments for this skill:
Reading (25%) – Read 3 texts and answer questions on what they have read.
Higher
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society. Learners will have complete 37.5% of their assessment throughout the course, which takes pressure off the final exam.
Suitable Candidates
All learners who have achieved a good pass at National 5. We also welcome pupils as a ‘crash Higher’, who have not studied the language before. This should be discussed with the Principal Teacher to ensure this is appropriate.
Course Assessment
Talking (25%) – This is made up of a conversation in Spanish. The assessment will take place in December – before the final exam.
Writing (25%) – there are 2 assessments for this skill:
Reading & Translation (25%) – Read a text and answer questions in English. You will also have to demonstrate your Translation skills from Spanish to English.
Languages for Life & Work Level 6
Our new Languages for Life and Work course at Level 6 is the perfect opportunity to showcase a new side of yourself and boost your college, university or job applications.
Studying a language can help you stand out from others, as you have excellent communication creativity, adaptability and cultural awareness. This course not only allows you to develop your knowledge of either French or Spanish, but also builds valuable skills that are sought after by universities and employers in sectors ranging from business, law, banking, education, hospitality, engineering and finance.
Course Outline
The course is divided into 3 units:
Learners who have achieved a pass at National 5 but feel that they would struggle to meet the demands of the Higher course. Candidates doing LLW Level 6 in S5 may then choose to do the Higher course in S6.
Assessment
This course is assessed entirely through continuous assessment. There is no final exam.
Advanced Higher
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society.
Suitable Candidates
All learners who have achieved an A pass at Higher.
Course Assessment
Talking (50 marks) – This is made up of a conversation in Spanish with an external examiner. The assessment will take place in March – before the final exam.
Writing – there are 2 assessments for this skill:
Reading & Translation (50 marks) – Read a text and answer questions in English. You will also have to demonstrate your Translation skills from Spanish to English, as well as using inferential skills to answer an overall purpose question.
National 4
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society.
Suitable Candidates
Learners suitable for National 4 will be clear that this is the most suitable pathway following learner conversations and target setting with their class teacher in S3.
Course Assessment
This course is assessed entirely through continuous assessment. There is no final exam.
National 5
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society. Learners will complete 37.5% of their assessment throughout the course, which takes pressure off the final exam.
Suitable Candidates
All learners who have studied languages at S3 and have demonstrated appropriate level of knowledge required to undertake requirements at National 5.
Course Assessment
Talking (25%) – This is made up of a presentation and conversation in Spanish. The assessment will take place in February – before the final exam.
Writing (25%) – there are 2 assessments for this skill:
- CV (12.5%) - Pupils have to respond to a job application in Spanish – pupils have to memorise 4 ‘predictable’ paragraphs and write two ‘unpredictable’ paragraphs.
- Assignment (12.5%) – this will be completed at the end of October/start of November.
Reading (25%) – Read 3 texts and answer questions on what they have read.
Higher
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society. Learners will have complete 37.5% of their assessment throughout the course, which takes pressure off the final exam.
Suitable Candidates
All learners who have achieved a good pass at National 5. We also welcome pupils as a ‘crash Higher’, who have not studied the language before. This should be discussed with the Principal Teacher to ensure this is appropriate.
Course Assessment
Talking (25%) – This is made up of a conversation in Spanish. The assessment will take place in December – before the final exam.
Writing (25%) – there are 2 assessments for this skill:
- Directed Writing (12.5%) - Pupils have to write about an experience in a Spanish speaking country in the past – answering 6 required bullet points.
- Assignment (12.5%) – this will be completed in January.
Reading & Translation (25%) – Read a text and answer questions in English. You will also have to demonstrate your Translation skills from Spanish to English.
Languages for Life & Work Level 6
Our new Languages for Life and Work course at Level 6 is the perfect opportunity to showcase a new side of yourself and boost your college, university or job applications.
Studying a language can help you stand out from others, as you have excellent communication creativity, adaptability and cultural awareness. This course not only allows you to develop your knowledge of either French or Spanish, but also builds valuable skills that are sought after by universities and employers in sectors ranging from business, law, banking, education, hospitality, engineering and finance.
Course Outline
The course is divided into 3 units:
- Languages for Life – developing your Reading & Listening skills across a range of topics, including gap years, travelling and future plans.
- Languages for Work – developing your Writing & Talking skills to apply for a job.
- Leadership
Learners who have achieved a pass at National 5 but feel that they would struggle to meet the demands of the Higher course. Candidates doing LLW Level 6 in S5 may then choose to do the Higher course in S6.
Assessment
This course is assessed entirely through continuous assessment. There is no final exam.
Advanced Higher
Course Outline
Learners will develop their Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing skills through a range of stimulating topics covering the contexts of Employability, Education, Culture and Society.
Suitable Candidates
All learners who have achieved an A pass at Higher.
Course Assessment
Talking (50 marks) – This is made up of a conversation in Spanish with an external examiner. The assessment will take place in March – before the final exam.
Writing – there are 2 assessments for this skill:
- Folio (30 marks) – learners will write an essay in English based on their Spanish literature/media study
- Discursive Writing (40 marks) – learners will have a choice of 4 essay questions in final exam.
Reading & Translation (50 marks) – Read a text and answer questions in English. You will also have to demonstrate your Translation skills from Spanish to English, as well as using inferential skills to answer an overall purpose question.
