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SQA Website - Modern Languages

Links to General Info:

NPFS Modern Languages National 5
NPFS Modern Languages Higher

Prior to commencing at Bishopbriggs Academy, and in line with the Scottish Government’s 1+2 policy, all pupils should have had the opportunity to learn two languages (French & German) in their feeder primary school. Meadowburn pupils will have had the opportunity to learn Gaelic & German.

BGE language lessons typically incorporate elements of all language-learning skills: Talking, Listening, Reading and Writing, with the aim being to help our language learners become successful and confident with their languages.

Regardless of which language pupils have studied in primary, they have the option of choosing between two languages, French & German, (Gaelic & German for Meadowburn pupils) in S1. This will be their main language for S1 and S2. All pupils will also be given an insert in the other language lasting approximately 12 weeks between S1-S2.

Further personalisation and choice will be available to all pupils at the beginning of S3. In line with national policy, all pupils must study at least one language (French, German or Gaelic) up until the end of S3, but there are some choices to be made at the start of S3 too!

If choosing to study only one language in S3, we strongly recommend that pupils continue with the main language they studied in S1-S2, in order to allow for maximum linguistic progression. However, pupils will be able to switch between French and German (Gaelic & German for Meadowburn pupils) at this stage if they wish to do so.

Beginners’ Spanish is also available as an additional language for pupils in S3. This course is designed to be both enriching and fast-paced, making it especially appealing to pupils with a keen interest in languages.

The main purpose of the National 4 course is to develop the skills of Listening and Talking, Reading and Writing in order to understand and use the language. The course adopts a balanced, topic-based approach and you will cover these topics in four contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. In Talking, a range of activities is tackled including presentations and conversations. Frequent use of authentic audio material is used to enhance your Listening skills. Reading comprehension tasks are based on a selection of passages of relevant topics. You will also have experience of a variety of Writing activities. For all of these, you will be expected to learn and revise grammar and vocabulary on a regular basis.

Units taught

• Understanding Language: Reading and Listening
• Using Language: Talking and Writing
• Added Value Unit: Assignment (Reading & Talking)

Course assessment

To achieve a National 4 award, pupils must pass 4 internal National 4 unit assessments (one in each skill of Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing) and also complete the Added Value Unit. National 4 is awarded on a pass/fail basis. There is no external exam.

The course adopts a balanced, topic-based approach and you will cover these topics in four contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. In Talking, a range of activities is tackled including monologue, dialogue and role play. Frequent use of authentic audio material is used to enhance your Listening skills. Reading comprehension tasks are based on a selection of passages of relevant topics. You will also have experience of a variety of Writing activities. For all of these, you will be expected to learn and revise grammar and vocabulary on a regular basis.

Units taught

• Understanding Language: Reading and Listening
• Using Language: Talking and Writing

Course assessment

• Exam consisting of two papers: 1. Listening Paper 2. Reading and Writing Paper
• Talking performance - presentation followed by a conversation
• Writing Assignment - a piece of writing on a topic of your choice.

The course adopts a balanced, topic-based approach and you will cover these topics in four contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. In Talking, there is an emphasis on developing conversational skills within these familiar contexts. Authentic audio material is used to enhance your Listening skills. Reading comprehension tasks are based on complex passages of relevant topics. Parts of the Reading texts will also be used to help you develop your translation skills. You will also have experience of a variety of Writing activities, to prepare you for responding to Directed Writing bullet points. For all of these, you will be expected to learn and revise grammar and vocabulary on a regular basis.

Units taught

• Understanding Language:  Reading and Listening
• Using Language: Talking and Writing

Course assessment

• Exam consisting of two papers: 1. Reading/Translation and Directed Writing Paper 2.Listening Paper
• Talking performance – conversation
• Writing Assignment - a piece of writing on a topic of your choice.

The course adopts a balanced, topic-based approach and you will cover these topics in four contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. In Talking, there is an emphasis on developing complex and sophisticated conversational skills within these familiar contexts. Authentic audio material is used to enhance your Listening skills. Reading comprehension tasks are based on complex and sophisticated passages of relevant topics, part of which will also be used to develop your translation skills. You will also gain experience of discursive essay writing on relevant topics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to study an authentic French, German or Spanish text for your assignment. For all of these, you will be expected to learn and revise grammar and vocabulary on a regular basis.

Units taught

• Understanding Language: Reading and Listening
• Using Language: Talking and Writing

Course assessment

• Exam consisting of two papers: Paper 1: Reading and Translation Paper 2:
• Listening and Discursive Writing
• Talking performance – an extended conversation with a visiting assessor.
• Portfolio – an extended essay, written in English after studying an authentic text in French/German/Spanish.