French: National 3, 4, 5
Why French?
This course is designed to help you to build on your foreign language skills in reading, talking, listening
and writing. In addition, the course provides you with knowledge of France and French-speaking
countries and their customs and way of life.
Course Outline
Each course is made up of two units which cover the four contexts of:
Society (family & friends, lifestyle, media, global languages, citizenship)
Learning (learning in context, education)
Employability (jobs, work and CVs)
Culture (planning a trip, other countries, literature of another country, film & TV)
Understanding Language
Outcome 1
The candidate will:
1
Understand simple/straightforward/detailed written language by:
1.1 Identifying overall purpose and main points
1.2 Applying knowledge and understanding of the modern language
Outcome 2
The candidate will:
2
Understand simple/straightforward/detailed spoken language by:
2.1 Identifying overall purpose and main points
2.2 Applying knowledge and understanding of the modern language
Using Language
Outcome 1
The candidate will:
1
Use simple/straightforward/detailed spoken language in conversations by:
1.1
Using relevant ideas and content
1.2
Applying knowledge and understanding of detailed language
1.3
Conveying meaning to a sympathetic listener
Outcome 2
The candidate will:
2
Use simple/straightforward/detailed written language by:
2.2
Using relevant ideas and content
2.2
Applying knowledge and understanding of detailed language
2.3
Communicating with accuracy
Assessment
National 3: Internal assessment. Candidates will need to pass one Unit Assessment in each of the
four outcomes – reading, listening, talking, writing.
National 4: Internal assessment. Candidates will need to pass one Unit Assessment in each of the
four outcomes – reading, listening, talking, writing – including an Added Value Unit.
National 5: The course is assessed by a combination of internal assessment by your teacher (one Unit
Assessment in each of the four outcomes – reading, listening, talking, writing) and an external
examination, set and marked by the SQA.
The Speaking assessment is dual-purpose – it acts as an internal assessment, with the marks then
going towards the final grade.
What prior qualifications do I need, if any, for entry to this course?

prior knowledge of the language
or entry at discretion of the Principal Teacher Modern Languages.
French: Higher
Why French?
The purpose of this course is to enable you to develop your ability to use the French language in
useful and relevant contexts. The four skill areas are listening, speaking, reading and writing. In
addition, the course provides you with knowledge of France and French-speaking countries and their
customs and way of life.
Many companies require employees who have knowledge of one or more European language. Higher
French is therefore an extremely useful course for a variety of career paths. It is also valuable for your
general education and personal development.
Course Outline
The course consists of two mandatory units and course assessment (final exam).
The four key contexts for study are:
Society
Learning
Employability
Culture
Mandatory Units
Understanding Language
The main purpose of the Unit is to develop the skills of listening and reading in order to understand and
use the language being studied. You will be given the opportunity to develop or extend your
comprehension skills in French and to develop your knowledge of detailed and complex language in the
contexts such as those detailed above.
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:


understand detailed and complex written language
understand detailed and complex spoken language
Using Language
The main purpose of this Unit is to develop and extend the skills of talking and writing and to develop
your knowledge of detailed and complex language in order to understand and use the language being
studied.
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:


use detailed and complex spoken language in conversations
use detailed and complex written language
Course Assessment
To gain the award of the Course, you must pass all of the Units as well as the Course assessment (final
exam). Course assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the Course award.
Component 1 –
reading and directed writing; listening and writing
You will be assessed on all four contexts.
Component 2 -
performance: talking
You will be assessed on at least two of the four contexts.
What prior qualifications do I need, if any, for entry to this course?


National 5 French course at Grade A or B
an equivalent qualification.
or entry at discretion of the Principal Teacher Modern Languages
French: Advanced Higher
Why French?
The aim of this course is to allow you to develop your existing ability in the four language skill areas of
listening, speaking reading and writing. You will have the opportunity to acquire greater fluency,
flexibility and accuracy in the language and widen your knowledge of the literature and culture of
France and francophone countries.
Many companies are seeking employees with fluency in one or more European languages. Advanced
Higher French is extremely valuable for many career paths, for entry to higher or further education
and for your general education and personal development.
What does the course involve?
The course is made up of one mandatory unit and one 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. We currently do the Extended Reading / Viewing
Unit.
The four key contexts for study are:
Society
Learning
Employability
Culture
Mandatory Units
Understanding and Using Language
The purpose of this Unit is to provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of
cultural and topical issues in France and francophone countries in the four contexts detailed above. You
develop the skills needed to understand and use French in a wide range of contexts by further
developing your listening, talking and reading skills, as well as offering opportunities to compare and
contrast issues and to increase your language proficiency.
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:

provide evidence of their reading, listening and talking skills, using complex language, in French
in one of the four contexts
Optional Unit
Extended Reading / Viewing
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:

provide evidence of their writing skills, using complex language, in French by analysing and
evaluating one of the texts studied. We currently study Le Silence de la mer by Vercors and
Rhinocéros by Ionesco.
Course Assessment
To gain the award of the Course, you must pass all of the Units as well as the Course assessment.
Course assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the Course award.



a performance, through which you will demonstrate your talking skills in French (50 marks)
a portfolio, through which you will demonstrate your analysis skills, in English, of two
literature and/or a background topics (30 marks)
a question paper, through which you will demonstrate your reading, translation, listening and
writing skills in French. The question paper comprises two sections:
 Section 1: Reading and Translation (50 marks)
 Section 2: Listening and Discursive Writing (70 marks)
What prior qualifications do I need, if any, for entry to this course?

an A or B pass at Higher French
or entry at discretion of the Principal Teacher Modern Languages
Spanish: National 3, 4, 5
Why Spanish?
This course is designed to help you to build on your foreign language skills in reading, talking, listening
and writing. In addition, the course provides you with knowledge of Spain and Spanish-speaking
countries and the customs and their way of life. It may also be a suitable entry level for beginners to
the subject.
Course Outline
Each course is made up of two units which cover the four contexts of:
Society (family & friends, lifestyle, media, global languages, citizenship)
Learning (learning in context, education)
Employability (jobs, work and CVs)
Culture (planning a trip, other countries, literature of another country, film & TV)
Understanding Language
Outcome 1
The candidate will:
1
Understand simple/straightforward/detailed written language by:
1.1 Identifying overall purpose and main points
1.2 Applying knowledge and understanding of the modern language
Outcome 2
The candidate will:
2
Understand simple/straightforward/detailed spoken language by:
2.1 Identifying overall purpose and main points
2.2 Applying knowledge and understanding of the modern language
Using Language
Outcome 1
The candidate will:
1
Use simple/straightforward/detailed spoken language in conversations by:
1.1
Using relevant ideas and content
1.2
Applying knowledge and understanding of detailed language
1.3
Conveying meaning to a sympathetic listener
Outcome 2
The candidate will:
2
Use simple/straightforward/detailed written language by:
2.3
Using relevant ideas and content
2.2
Applying knowledge and understanding of detailed language
2.3
Communicating with accuracy
Assessment
National 3: Internal assessment. Candidates will need to pass one Unit Assessment in each of the
four outcomes – reading, listening, talking, writing.
National 4: Internal assessment. Candidates will need to pass one Unit Assessment in each of the
four outcomes – reading, listening, talking, writing – including an Added Value Unit.
National 5: The course is assessed by a combination of internal assessment by your teacher (one Unit
Assessment in each of the four outcomes – reading, listening, talking, writing) and an external
examination, set and marked by the SQA.
The Speaking assessment is dual-purpose – it acts as an internal assessment, with the marks then
going towards the final grade.
What prior qualifications do I need, if any, for entry to this course?

prior knowledge of the language
or entry at discretion of the Principal Teacher Modern Languages.
Spanish: Higher
Why Spanish?
The purpose of this course is to enable you to develop your ability to use the Spanish language in
useful and relevant contexts. The four skill areas are listening, speaking, reading and writing. In
addition, the course provides you with knowledge of Spain and Spanish speaking countries and their
customs and way of life.
Many companies require employees who are fluent in one or more European language and South
America is emerging as an economic and business force. Higher Spanish is therefore an extremely
useful course for a variety of career paths. It is also valuable for your general education and personal
development.
Course Outline
The course consists of two mandatory units and course assessment (final exam).
The four key contexts for study are:
Society
Learning
Employability
Culture
Mandatory Units
Understanding Language
The main purpose of the Unit is to develop the skills of listening and reading in order to understand and
use the language being studied. You will be given the opportunity to develop or extend your
comprehension skills in French and to develop your knowledge of detailed and complex language in the
contexts such as those detailed above.
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:


understand detailed and complex written language
understand detailed and complex spoken language
Using Language
The main purpose of this Unit is to develop and extend the skills of talking and writing and to develop
your knowledge of detailed and complex language in order to understand and use the language being
studied.
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:


use detailed and complex spoken language in conversations
use detailed and complex written language
Course Assessment
To gain the award of the Course, you must pass all of the Units as well as the Course assessment (final
exam). Course assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the Course award.
Component 1 –
reading and directed writing; listening and writing
You will be assessed on all four contexts.
Component 2 -
performance: talking
You will be assessed on at least two of the four contexts.
What prior qualifications do I need, if any, for entry to this course?


National 5 Spanish course at Grade A or B
an equivalent qualification.
or entry at discretion of the Principal Teacher Modern Languages
Spanish: Advanced Higher
Why Spanish?
The aim of this course is to allow you to develop your existing ability in the four language skill areas of
listening, speaking reading and writing. You will have the opportunity to acquire greater fluency,
flexibility and accuracy in the language and widen your knowledge of Hispanic literature and culture.
Many companies are seeking employees with fluency in one or more European languages. Advanced
Higher Spanish is extremely valuable for many career paths, for entry to higher or further education
and for your general education and personal development.
What does the course involve?
The course is made up of one mandatory unit and one 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. We currently do the Extended Reading / Viewing
Unit.
The four key contexts for study are:
Society
Learning
Employability
Culture
Mandatory Units
Understanding and Using Language
The purpose of this Unit is to provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of
cultural and topical issues in Hispanic countries in the four contexts detailed above. You develop the
skills needed to understand and use Spanish in a wide range of contexts by further developing your
listening, talking and reading skills, as well as offering opportunities to compare and contrast issues and
to increase your language proficiency.
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:

provide evidence of their reading, listening and talking skills, using complex language in Spanish,
in one of the four contexts
Optional Unit
Extended Reading / Viewing
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:

provide evidence of their writing skills, using complex language, in Spanish by analysing and
evaluating one of the texts studied. We currently study poems by Lorca and La casa de los
espíritus by Isabel Allende.
Course Assessment
To gain the award of the Course, you must pass all of the Units as well as the Course assessment.
Course assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the Course award.



a performance, through which you will demonstrate your talking skills in Spanish (50 marks)
a portfolio, through which you will demonstrate your analysis skills, in English, of two
literature and/or a background topics (30 marks)
a question paper, through which you will demonstrate your reading, translation, listening and
writing skills in Spanish. The question paper comprises two sections:
 Section 1: Reading and Translation (50 marks)
 Section 2: Listening and Discursive Writing (70 marks)
What prior qualifications do I need, if any, for entry to this course?

an A or B pass at Higher Spanish
or entry at discretion of the Principal Teacher Modern Languages