1 Year / 160 Hours
N4: Unit Assessments
N5: 25% of award: Talking Assessment + Writing Assignment
N4: No Exam
N5: Paper 1: Reading and Writing + Paper 2: Listening = 75%
No Cost
The headings below provide an overview of the course content in Modern Languages at National 4 and 5. Throughout these courses, the grammatical structure of language is taught extensively and practiced throughout.
Communication skills, thinking skills, problem solving, comparing, interpreting and evaluating information are all developed through the four skills of Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing. There will also be opportunities to use and develop skills in ICT.
We encourage pupils to see themselves as communicators and problem solvers in their own learning. This develops active, independent life-long learning skills. We build confidence and communication skills to develop our pupils’ ability to take part and enjoy the culture and language of others. This develops tolerance and open-mindedness towards others and a better understanding of difference in the world, both locally and abroad. We seek to enhance literacy and numeracy in our students and make them aware of the importance of keeping healthy and looking after our world and its inhabitants. The confidence gained from solving problems and developing understanding in a foreign language also adds confidence in other areas of learning; concepts introduced in a modern language are often completely new and have no equivalent in English, which encourages the brain to create new learning capacity and new thinking skills.
Varied teaching strategies are used with classes, predominantly developing thinking and problem solving skills, as well as direct teaching and paired/group work.
Pupils will develop self-confidence in communication and gain knowledge of other cultures, with a view to applying their language learning independently.
Work in class is supported through the use of course materials, ICT and other digital media. Pupils will be guided to set personal targets and take responsibility for personal progress.
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
National 4 will involve completion of an Added Value Project and all course work and assessments in Talking, Reading, Writing and Listening undertaken by N5 pupils. There is no final exam.
National 5 will involve pupils completing a Talking exam and a Writing Assignment on a topic of their choice, from those outlined above, both of these are done in class under exam conditions. Pupils then sit a final exam in the SQA Exam diet in May consisting of Reading, Listening & Writing.
We strongly recommend that pupils purchase a bi-lingual dictionary in the language they are learning as these are required for the exam and practising using a physical dictionary at home and in class will be essential.
Advice on this can be given by the class teacher.
Entry is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher Faculty, Modern Languages. However, as a guide:
A recommendation on completion of BGE S3 French Course.
A pass a the previous NQ level. i.e. for National 5, a pass at National 4.
S5/6 pupils who have a National 5 pass (A-C) in another language.
Pupils who demonstrated potential in S1-2 languages but decided not to continue with a language in S3 may be accepted onto the course and a decision made as to which level (N4 or N5) they sit based on prior attainment and teacher judgement.
Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis, this will be available on TEAMs.
At key points in the year National 5 pupils will have clear expectations to be practising and working at home, for example, in preparation for their Writing Assignment & Talking Exam. Time will also be offered at lunchtimes for pupils to attend practice sessions with teachers.
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
S5 – Higher Spanish or N5 in another language; L6 Modern Languages for Life & Work CORE option.
S6 – this is a great time to pick up an additional modern language, or return to pursue a language you have previously studied.
In the global economy, one of the most valuable traits an employee can possess is the ability to speak a second or multiple languages. Knowing an additional language illustrates to an employer the value you bring as an employee and a person. It shows that you are adaptable, open-minded and communicative.
These videos explain how languages can be useful in a wide variety of job sectors: