The Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)

Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is the curriculum followed in all Scottish establishments and is built upon the Scottish Parliament values of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. All children and young people develop skills for life, skills for learning and skills for work though our Scottish curriculum.

This will prepare them for a world that is changing very fast.

Our school interprets this curriculum to ensure that all our young people become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

Modern Languages ‘Entitlement’

Within Curriculum for Excellence, young people have an entitlement to a Level 3 teaching experience in S1-S3 in at least one modern language, which is provided by Core Spanish within Brannock.

Young people are also entitled to the 1+2 model (their native language, which for most young people is English, plus learning about two other modern languages). This is provided within Brannock through core Spanish along with blocks of learning of French. German is also a subject choice in S3.

What do you study

There are four main strands that are of equal importance in Modern Languages:

Reading
Writing
Talking
Listening

Young people within Brannock High School in the BGE will be taught the strands in tandem in order to build skills in all areas.

Using these strands and associated government benchmarks, our department focuses primarily Spanish with French, German and British Sign Language (BSL) also available at some stages. We have a wide range of units, topics, texts and interests – and teacher interest and experience is encouraged.

Class Organisation within Modern Languages

Core classes are mixed ability and based upon the school houses (Arran, Bute and Lewis) and, so, allow young people to form strong relationships within the class. Differentiated work is provided by the teacher to ensure that all young people are challenged.

Non-core class – where the young person has chosen Spanish, French or German as a “subject choice” – are usually limited to one per year group and, so, there is no sets. Differentiated work is provided by the teacher to ensure that all young people are challenged.

Formal Assessments in the BGE

The majority of assessments that your young person will sit in their Modern Languages class are in class with the support of their teacher and further support from Support for Learning or the LCSC if required.

These are used diagnostically by the class teacher to identify strengths and next steps for your young person.

Pupil Levels & Reports

Brannock High School has a formal calendar of reports and Parent & Carer consultation evenings. The Modern Languages Department has designed our yearly timetable so that we can always update carers with “most recent and best” information and work from young people.

Pupil reports contain a ‘holistic’ Modern Languages level, a snapshot of all of the strands and skills rolled together. This is to allow carers to compare their achievement in Modern Languages with other subject areas.

Internally we track young people against each strand of Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening separately to ensure progress in them all.

The BGE stretches, for most pupils, from Level 2 through to Level 4 at the end of S3. Pupils go through this learning journey at different speeds and with different strengths and so there is no definitive level where any S1, S2 or S3 should be.

Brannock teachers will always aim as high as possible for all young people.

Mr. McEwan, the head of Faculty, would be happy to discuss any young person’s individual levels, tracking or reports. Please get in touch by phone, email or the contact element of this blog.

Useful Links

BBC Bitesize: Key Stage 2 Modern Languages
BBC Bitesize: Key Stage 3 Modern Languages
LinguaScope: LinguaScope (login available from Mr Lockie)
TopMarks: List of useful websites that include learning games
Languages Online: a number of games to support learning

Where can Modern Languages take you

Translator
Interpreter
Teacher (Languages or ESL)
Foreign Service Diplomat
Travel and Tourism Consultant
International Business Consultant
Language Specialist in Intelligence
Subtitler/Closed Captioning Specialist
International Marketing or Sales Manager
Export Manager
Diplomatic Service Officer
Journalist/Foreign Correspondent
Customer Service Representative (for international companies)
Linguist/Phonetics Specialist
Content Writer/Editor
International NGO Worker
Voiceover Artist
Cultural Advisor/Consultant
Public Relations Specialist (International Relations)
Global Communications Coordinator

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Our Faculty Vision Statement:
Kind in Action, Happy in Participation, and Successful in Achievement.

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Follow our Twitter: @BrannockModern