Modern Languages Senior Phase

This section of the website was last updated in February 2025.

Brannock Modern Languages department is committed to providing all learners with a full experience of the wider world and the languages it contains.

Senior Phase Modern Languages

All S4-S6 pupils within the Modern Languages Department – and wider Languages Faculty – will be enrolled in an SQA accredited course.

Spanish is our primary option for pupils in S4-S6 who wish an SQA certificated course in a Modern Language for the 2024-25 sessions, although our Department has expertise in French, German and British Sign Language.

These courses are extensions of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) BGE experience young people had undertaken and build upon previously taught skills and areas of interest. These courses are designed to enrich the experience of candidates and develop existing knowledge.

What do we currently offer at SQA Level

  • National 3 Spanish
  • National 4 Spanish
  • National 5 Spanish
  • Higher Spanish
  • Advanced Higher Spanish

Class Organisation within Modern Languages

All senior phase classes are mixed ability and all classes have multiple levels of presentation within them based upon pupils’ previous knowledge and desire outcome.

In the 2024/25 session, senior phase Spanish currently has:

  • two S4 classes timetabled for four periods a week each. Within each class, pupils may be enrolled anywhere between National 3 up to National 5 Spanish depending upon previous knowledge and desire to achieve. We always encourage National 5 Spanish as much as possible as we aim for as high as possible for all young people.
  • There is one S5/6 class for six periods a week with pupils primarily enrolled in Higher Spanish, although some ‘returning’ seniors (pupils who did not take Spanish in S4) are sitting National 5 within this class.
  • Advanced Higher Spanish is delivered concurrently to the Higher course within the Senior Spanish class with one period of ‘top up’ tutoring  to ensure Advanced Higher specific teaching.

Formal Assessments in the Senior Phase

As for the BGE, the majority of assessments that your young person will sit in Modern Languages 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. These assessments are set by the classroom teacher and dates vary from class to class.

On top of these, there are more formal assessments that young people are required to undertake either due to SQA criteria or to prepare for the exam. Some assessment dates for the 2024-25 year include

National 5

  • N5 Assignment Draft 1 : 24-26th February 2025
  • N5 Assignment Write Up: 26-28th February 2025
  • N5 Talk Exams: 24th-25th March 2025
  • N5 SQA Exam: 19th May 2025

Higher:

  • Higher Assignment Draft 1: 25th February 2025
  • Higher Assignment Write Up: 26th February 2025
  • Higher Talk Exams: 27th March 2025
  • Higher SQA Exam: 19th May 2025

Advanced Higher:

  • Advanced Higher Portofolio:  21st March 2025
  • Advanced Higher Talk Exams: TBC
  • Advanced Higher SQA Exam: 19th May 2025

Pupil Levels & Reports

Brannock High School has a formal calendar of reports and Parent & Carer consultation evenings.

S4-S6 pupils sitting a graded course will have a discussion with their class teacher and decide a ‘target grade’ that we are working towards. This will be based upon prior attainment as well as aspiring for the absolute best for all young people.

This target will be used as a tool to allow young people and their teachers to make judgements about the pace, style and depth of learning. Target grades may get shifted upwards as the year goes along but we try not to lower them – we always keep our expectations high.

Target grades are purely a tool and do not represent what a young person “will” get or “only get” – performance in the final exam in English is the only deciding factor in the final grade.

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.

National 4 Spanish

The National 4 Spanish course consists of three mandatory units.

The first unit, Modern Languages: Understanding Language, helps students develop their reading and listening skills in Spanish, focusing on society, learning, employability, and culture.

The second unit, Modern Languages: Using Language, focuses on productive skills, including speaking and writing in Spanish, within real-world contexts.

The third unit is the Added Value Unit: Assignment, where students research and present on a chosen topic in Spanish, applying their language skills in practical situations.

National 4 candidates can move on to National 5 if they wish.

National 5 Spanish

National 5 Spanish prepares students for an external exam, typically in May. The course includes a detailed exploration of Spanish in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.

The exam has several components.

In the Reading and Writing section, students will read three texts and complete a 120-150 word writing task.

The Listening section tests comprehension through a monologue and conversation. In the Writing Assignment, students write a 120-200 word piece related to society, learning, or culture.

This is completed in class but marked externally by the SQA. The Speaking section involves a conversation and role-play with an examiner, testing spoken Spanish.

Higher Spanish

The Higher Spanish course builds on the skills gained in National 5 and prepares students for an external exam, usually in May. The course focuses on using detailed language in society, learning, employability, and culture.

The exam is made up of several components.

In the Reading and Directed Writing section, students read a text and answer related questions, then write a 150-180 word piece based on a given scenario.

The Listening section assesses comprehension through a monologue and conversation.

The Writing Assignment involves writing a 150-200 word piece on a relevant topic, marked externally by the SQA.

In the Speaking section, students discuss at least two contexts, such as society, learning, or culture, to demonstrate fluency and interaction.

Advanced Higher Spanish

The Advanced Higher Spanish course builds on skills gained at Higher level and prepares students for an external exam, typically in May. The course includes a range of components designed to assess reading, listening, translation, writing, and speaking skills in Spanish.

The Reading and Translation section, worth 50 marks, assesses students’ ability to understand written Spanish and translate it accurately. This section lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The Listening and Discursive Writing component is worth 70 marks. Students will listen to spoken Spanish and write a discursive essay on a given topic. This section lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes (or 1 hour and 45 minutes for Chinese languages).

Students also complete a Portfolio, worth 30 marks. This component involves preparing written work on a specific topic, assessed as part of the course.

Finally, the Performance – Talking section, worth 50 marks, is an oral exam lasting approximately 20 minutes. Students will demonstrate their ability to speak fluently in Spanish through discussions and presentations.

  • Advanced Higher: SQA

Useful Links

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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