ENGLISH 

S1/S2 Programmes of Study – English  

In S1 andS2 English pupils follow the Broad General Education of Curriculum for Excellence and have the opportunity to develop their skills through a range of Experiences and Outcomes. In meeting these, pupils will:  

Study a variety of texts such as drama, poetry, prose and non-fiction texts as well as media texts to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of different genres.  

Continue to develop their language skills through a reciprocal reading approach to understanding, analysis and evaluation of both fiction and non-fiction texts.  

Develop writing skills in a variety of genres under the broad headings of creative and discursive writing including personal reflective, imaginative, persuasive and argumentative. The teaching and learning of persuasive and argumentative writing also allows pupils to develop their note making/taking and research skills.  

Develop listening and talking skills through the learning of debating skills, group discussion skills, presentation skills and active listening skills.  

Progress in their literacy skills through all of the above which are transferrable to all areas of the curriculum.  

Pupils also have the opportunity to develop the cross learning themes of numeracy and health and well being through interdisciplinary learning. 

S3 and S4 English 

Courses provide pupils with the opportunity to develop skills in listening, talking, reading and writing, which are essential for life and work. Language and literacy are of personal, social and economic importance. A pupil’s ability to use language lies at the centre of the development and expression of their emotions, thinking, learning and sense of personal identity. Pupils will be involved in a range of activities which develop their ability to: communicate their thoughts and to interact with others; be critical thinkers; develop cultural awareness; be creative; and, to use different media effectively for learning and communication. 

The skills that pupils gain by successfully completing English courses will be valuable for learning, life and work. Pupils will: 

• listen, talk, read and write in a variety of contexts and for different purposes;
• understand, analyse and evaluate a variety of texts within the study of literature, language and media;
• create their own texts in particular through the writing folio;
• research topics of interests for the purpose of talking and writing; and,
• develop critical thinking and reflective skills as they review and refine their work.

During the course of S3, pupils continue with the Broad General Education, while experiencing elements of the new National courses. At the end of  S3 pupils then proceed to their National Qualification course: 

National 4 English  

The course consists of 3 mandatory Units, including the Added Value Unit. Each of the component Units of the Course is designed to provide progression to the corresponding Unit at National 5: 

English: Analysis and Evaluation                            Reading and Listening  

English: Creation and Production                           Writing and Talking 

English: Assignment (Added Value Unit)               Investigation of a chosen topic 

Literacy is also a mandatory unit at National 4                  

National 5 English    

The course consists of 2 mandatory Units and the Course Assessment. Each of the component Units of the Course is designed to provide progression to the corresponding Unit at Higher. Courses at National 5 also include the mandatory study of a Scottish text, 

English: Analysis and Evaluation                Close Reading and Listening 

English: Creation and Production               Writing and Talking 

English: Course Assessment           Component 1 : Question paper :Close Reading  and Critical Essay 

Component 2: Portfolio of Writing 

   

S5 and S6 English 

Higher English 

The Higher English course develops the skills gained at Intermediate 2 and allows pupils to progress to a more advanced level in the appreciation of literature, as well as their understanding and analysis of language. 

Recommended Entry Level 

Entry level is a pass at Intermediate 2. 

COURSE  

The course consists of two mandatory units: 

Internal Assessment covers Close Reading, Writing and Textual Analysis.  The external exam covers Close Reading and Critical Essay and the writing folio, which accounts for 20% of the overall award. 

Unit 1: Language Study 

               Close Reading 

               Writing 

Unit 2 : Literary Study 

                Textual Analysis of prose, poetry or drama. 

                Critical Essay: understanding analysis, 

                appreciation and evaluation of literature 

                studied in class. 

Writing Folio 

Pupils produce two pieces of writing (one discursive and one creative) which are submitted to the SQA in May for external assessment. 

Advanced Higher English 

The Advanced Higher course allows S6 pupils to progress in their English studies and provides a good foundation for the first year of study in further education.   The course consists of three units, two of which are mandatory.  The third unit is chosen by the department from four options prescribed by the SQA. 

Recommended Entry Level 

An A or B pass at Higher English 

Personal Study (Dissertation) Mandatory Unit 

Pupils undertake the study of an area of literature that is of particular interest.  While much of this work is independent, the teacher will provide guidance and support at each stage.  The dissertation is submitted to the SQA for external assessment in April.  It is also internally assessed. 

Literary Study                  Mandatory Unit 

Pupils study in depth the work of two writers, taken from a prescribed list issued by the SQA, covering prose, poetry or drama.  Internal assessment requires an essay on both of the chosen writers.  The external exam consists of one essay based on the literature studied in the course. 

Creative Writing Folio 

Pupils are encouraged through the study and discussion of various stimuli to produce a selection of creative writing pieces; two of which are submitted in May for external assessment.  The folio is also internally assessed. 

*Each of which being of a different genre. 

   

MODERN LANGUAGES 

S1/S2 Programmes of Study – Modern Languages  

Pupils in S1/S2 French follow the Broad General Education of Curriculum for Excellence and have the opportunity to develop their skills through a range of Experiences and Outcomes. In meeting these pupils will: 

• gain a deeper understanding of their own language and appreciate the rich and interconnected nature of languages
• enhance their understanding and acceptance of other cultures and gain insight into other ways of thinking
• develop skills that they can use and enjoy throughout life in leisure and work 

The study of any modern language also plays an important role in developing  literacy, numeracy and health & well-being skills. We provide an environment where pupils can communicate, collaborate and build relationships. They will also be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by ICT and to engage in interdisciplinary learning and project work. 

S3 and S4 Modern Languages 

Courses will provide pupils with the opportunity to make connections with different people and their cultures and to play a fuller part as global citizens. Learning a modern language allows pupils to broaden their cultural awareness and to enhance their understanding of cultural diversity, which includes insights into other ways of thinking and other views of the world.  

The skills that pupils gain by successfully completing modern languages courses will be valuable for learning, life and work. Pupils will:  

• read, listen, talk and write in a modern language;
• understand and use a modern language through access to online topical and relevant resources such as interviews, television news and cultural information;
• apply their knowledge of a modern language through speaking in a simulated real life context such as ordering food, applying for a job or booking into an hotel;
• access websites for language learning;
• develop language learning skills through watching films in a modern language;
• develop skills in planning and research and presenting knowledge of language skills to their peers; and,
• develop literacy skills through reading, listening, talking and writing in a modern language and to reflect on how this relates to English. 

During the course of S3, pupils continue with the Broad General Education, while experiencing elements of the new National courses. At the end of S3 pupils then proceed to their National Qualification course:  

National 4 Modern Languages   

The course consists of 3 mandatory Units, including the Added Value Unit. Each of the component Units of the Course is designed to provide progression to the corresponding Unit at National 5. 

Modern Languages: Understanding Language                   Reading and Listening 

Modern Languages: Using Language                                  Writing and Speaking               

Modern Languages: Assignment (Value Added Unit)        Investigate and report on a topic 

National 5 Modern Languages        

The course consists of 2 mandatory Units and the Course Assessment. Each of the component Units of the Course is designed to provide progression to the corresponding Unit at Higher. 

Modern Languages: Understanding Language                   Reading and Listening  

Modern Languages: Using Language                                  Writing and Speaking  

Modern Languages: Course Assessment                Component 1 – performance: talking 

Component 2 – question paper: reading and writing 

Component 3 – question paper: listening 

In S5/S6 pupils are encouraged to continue their study of either one or more languages and courses are offered at: 

• Intermediate 2 French and Italian
• Higher French and Italian
• Advanced Higher French and Italian*

• This is subject to change and dependent on timetable and staff availability. 

HIGHER FRENCH/ITALIAN 

The Higher Modern Languages course develops communicative competence to a level of some sophistication in defined, relevant and useful contexts.    It also provides a worthwhile and enjoyable educational experience for the students and an increasing bank of knowledge about the foreign country and its customs and ways of life. 

Recommended Level for Entry 

Entry level is a pass at Intermediate 2. 

Course  

The course consists of two units: 

Core Unit  Language  2 credits (80 hours) 

This develops the relevant skills and competences within the context of three broad themes: lifestyles, education and work, the wider world. 

Optional Unit   

Extended reading/viewing 1 credit (40 hours)  

 This unit focuses on extended reading and possibly viewing 

ADVANCED HIGHER FRENCH/ITALIAN 

The course consists of one compulsory 80 hour unit and one 40 hour unit chosen from two options.  Each centre will decide, in the light of
the expertise of staff and the interests of the students,  which of the options to offer, or whether both should be made available.  It is not necessary
to follow the same options studied at Higher level. 

Recommended  Level for Entry 

An A or B at Higher level. 

Language (80 hours) 

This unit builds on prior learning and develops  all language skills for use in a range of purposes.  The content of the unit is defined in three main themes: personal, social and cultural issues. 

Personal and social issues: 

• patterns of family life
• media and the arts

Topical and cultural issues: 

• European issues
• issues relating to countries where language is spoken

Environmental issues: 

•   pollution
•   conservation

Throughout the unit, there are opportunities  to use speaking and writing skills in discussion and debate on these issues. 

Extended Reading/Viewing (40hours) 

These units are designed to enable the development of particular language skills in line with your personal or vocational needs and interests.  
Extended Reading/Viewing provides the opportunity to extend your reading of literary texts.