The aim of this course is to allow you to develop understanding of France and Francophone countries. The four skill areas are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. You will also learn about France and the customs and ways of the French people. The UK has many business and trade links with France and every year many Scottish people enjoy holidays in France. This makes the subject extremely useful, both for career paths and your personal use.
National 4
Pupils will learn about:
- Understanding Language – This Unit develops basic reading and listening skills in French and knowledge of straightforward language in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
- Using Language – In this Unit, pupils will develop and apply their knowledge of straightforward French in a range of contexts, and use this in talking and writing.
- Added Value Unit: Modern Languages: Assignment – This unit allows pupils to demonstrate all the skills they have learned and apply them independently to investigate a topic of their own choice.
National 4 French is all assessed internally by classroom teachers; there is no external examination for this course. It is important to note a speaking assessment is a requirement of the course.
National 5
This course provides the opportunity to develop reading and listening skills in French, and to develop knowledge and understanding of detailed language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture. Pupils also work to develop talking and writing skills in French, and develop further knowledge and understanding of detailed language in different contexts.
Pupils will learn skills in:
- Understanding Language – Reading and Listening
- Using Language – Talking and Writing
These skills are assessed in the contexts of:
- Society
- Learning
- Employability
- Culture
National 5 Spanish is assessed as follows:
- Question paper 1: Reading & Writing
- Question paper 2: Listening
- Assignment: Writing
- Performance: Talking
All components apart from Talking are marked externally by the SQA.
Higher
The course provides the opportunity to develop reading and listening skills in French, and to develop knowledge and understanding of detailed language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture. Pupils also work to develop talking and writing skills in French, and develop further knowledge and understanding of detailed language in different contexts.
- Understanding Language – Reading and Listening
- Using Language – Talking and Writing
These skills are assessed in the contexts of:
- Society
- Learning
- Employability
- Culture
Higher Spanish is assessed as follows:
- Question paper 1: Reading & Writing
- Question paper 2: Listening
- Assignment: Writing
- Performance: Talking
All components apart from Talking are marked externally by the SQA.
Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher French aims to develop advanced skills of reading, listening, talking and writing, in order to understand and use a modern language. Learners also develop advanced language skills of translation, and apply knowledge and understanding of a modern language to a range of contexts. The course is made up of three mandatory units: Understanding Language, Using Language and Specialist Study.
Understanding Language
The purpose of this unit is to develop and extend reading and listening skills in French, and to develop knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.
Using Language
The purpose of this unit is to develop and extend talking and writing skills in French, and to develop knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.
Specialist Study
This unit offers the opportunity to develop and extend planning, research and analytical skills in order to undertake an independent specialist study based on literature or media or language in work.
Assessment
Internal Assessments of the language skills of Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing will be attempted following completion of a unit or throughout the subject when the pupils are ready. The course assessment to gain the final grade takes the form of:
- Two exams demonstrating reading, translation, listening and discursive writing skills in French
- A speaking performance in French
- A portfolio, written in English, demonstrating analytical skills in relation to literature, media or language in work
