Progression Case Study – Modern Languages
These case studies show the Fourth level experiences and outcomes and their relationship to the skills, knowledge and
understanding developed further through National 4 and National 5 Courses. This document is designed to help practitioners plan
learning and learner journeys by showing how the qualifications relate to the experiences and outcomes at a high level.
The document makes no reference to assessment of the qualifications and centres should refer to the assessment standards set out
in SQA’s Course and Unit Specifications. It is the centre’s responsibility to ensure that the evidence gathered meets the assessment
standards set out by SQA. This will be subject to quality assurance by SQA.
The experiences and outcomes are expressed at broad curriculum levels, which equate to broad expectations of learners at different
stages of their schooling. The qualifications developed for the senior phase of secondary education are designed to enable
progression from the broad general education. The qualifications are benchmarked against SCQF levels. SCQF levels relate to the
degree of difficulty of a qualification – ranging from Access at SCQF level 1 up to Doctorates at SCQF level 12. The levels of difficulty
are determined by factors such as complexity and depth of knowledge, range and sophistication of application of skills and
knowledge, ability to integrate, degree of independence and creativity. The SCQF levels cover qualifications used across the
education system.
SCQF level 4 and the Fourth curriculum level are broadly equivalent in terms of level of demand although qualifications at SCQF level
4 will be more specific to allow for more specialist study of subjects.
Although there may be no simple one-to-one relationship between qualifications and curriculum experiences and outcomes, new
National Courses have been designed to draw on and build on the curriculum experiences and outcomes as appropriate.
This document takes the example of Modern Languages and shows the broad relationship between specific experiences and
outcomes and the National 4 and National 5 qualifications in that area. It shows how those skills and the knowledge and
understanding are developed further within the qualifications.
**The information in this document is based on the current stage of development of the new qualifications and
is subject to change.
Languages – Modern Languages
MLAN 4-O2a
I can listen and respond to others, including sympathetic fluent speakers of the language, in extended conversations that are less predictable.
MLAN 4-08a
Using a variety of resources, I can independently read text which is more detailed and which contains complex language including a range of tenses,
and demonstrate my understanding.
Related skills:
National 4 – Modern Languages
National 5 – Modern Languages
Related skills learners would develop through the National 4
qualification include:
Related skills learners would develop through the National 5 qualification
include:
 reading, writing, listening and talking skills in a modern
language, as appropriate to purpose and audience in
familiar contexts
 basic knowledge required to understand a modern
language, as appropriate to purpose and audience in
familiar contexts
 basic knowledge required to use a modern language, as
appropriate to purpose and audience in familiar contexts
 understanding straightforward grammatical knowledge
when using a modern language understanding and using
a modern language in the familiar contexts of society,
learning, employability and culture
Read the full draft National 4 Modern Languages Course Specification
for further details (http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45670.html )
 reading, writing, listening and talking skills in a modern
language, as appropriate to purpose and audience in familiar
contexts
 knowledge and understanding required to understand a modern
language, as appropriate to purpose and audience in familiar
contexts
 knowledge and understanding required to use a modern
language, as appropriate to purpose and audience in familiar
contexts
 understanding a range of grammatical knowledge when using a
modern language
 understanding and using a modern language in the familiar
contexts of society, learning, employability and culture
Read the full draft National 5 Modern Languages Course Specification for
further details (http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45671.html )