French
Why pick French?
France is often considered the language of culture and the arts. If you are interested in FASHION, FOOD, ART, ARCHITECTURE or DESIGN then French is the language for you.
More than 220 million people speak French across all five continents and it is the second most widely learned language after English.
French is the second most widely used language on the INTERNET, so if WEB DESIGN is your thing, French might be for you!
What are the Entry Requirements?
If you choose to study French in S4 you may be entered at National 4 or National 5. We recommend that you continue with the language that you have been studying in S1, 2 and 3. Your teacher will use evidence from S1, 2 and 3, and parts of the National 4 course (which you will have completed in S3) to recommend either National 4 or National 5 level for S4.
If you have not studied French in S1, 2 or 3, you may choose to study it at National 5 if you have already achieved an A or a B at National 5 in another language** - this option is only open to S5 and S6 pupils.
**If you would like to study French, but have not studied another language at National 5 level, please speak to Mrs Belshaw to discuss this.
To study Higher, you will need to have achieved an A or a B at National 5 in French.
To study Advanced Higher, you will need to have achieved an A at Higher in French.
National 4
What will I learn?
The National 4 French course covers topics which come under 4 contexts:
Society (family and friends, leisure, health, TV, technology, town/countryside)
Learning (education, preparing for exams, different education systems)
Employability (different jobs, part-time jobs, work experience, future plans)
Culture (holidays, events, literature, film)
Within each of these topics you will have opportunities to practice the 4 skills of Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening in French.
How will I be assessed?
Homework:
You will be set weekly homework which may include: learning vocabulary for in class tests, reading, listening or preparation and practice for assessments.
Assessment:
At National 4, there are three units which you will be assessed on:
Understanding Language: You will sit a Reading paper and a Listening paper in exam conditions based on the topics listed above.
Using Language: You will complete a Talk and a Writing assessment in French based on the topics listed above.
Added Value Unit: You will be assessed on the skills of Reading and Talking on a different topic from those completed in the two other units.
You must pass both elements within each unit in order to gain the unit on your SQA certificate, and pass all units to achieve the full National 4 award.
National 5
What will I learn?
The National 5 French course covers topics which come under 4 contexts:
Society (family and friends, leisure, health, TV, technology, town/countryside)
Learning (education, preparing for exams, different education systems)
Employability (different jobs, part-time jobs, work experience, future plans)
Culture (holidays, events, literature, film)
Within each of these topics you will have opportunities to practice the 4 skills of Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening in French.
How will I be assessed?
Homework:
You will be set weekly homework which may include: learning vocabulary for in class tests, grammar practice, reading, listening, writing or preparation and practice for assessments.
Assessment:
At National 5, the assessment is made up of an exam, a writing assignment and a talk performance:
Exam: The end of year exam is made up of 2 question papers:
Paper 1: Reading and Writing
Paper 2: Listening
Writing Assignment: You will write 120-200 words in French based on one of the following contexts: society, culture or learning. You will complete this assignment in school but it will be externally marked by the SQA.
Talk performance: The two sections of the Talk are a presentation and conversation.
Presentation: It should last approximately 1 – 2 minutes and be based on one of the following contexts: employability, society, learning or culture.
Conversation: It should last approximately 5 – 6 minutes and will include questions on the same context as the presentation as well as one other context.
For more detailed information on the course structure, see the SQA website.
Higher
What will I learn?
The Higher French course covers topics which come under 4 contexts:
Society (family and friends, leisure, health, TV, technology, town/countryside)
Learning (education, preparing for exams, different education systems)
Employability (different jobs, part-time jobs, work experience, future plans)
Culture (holidays, events, literature, film)
Within each of these topics you will have opportunities to practice the 4 skills of Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening in French.
How will I be assessed?
Homework:
You will be set weekly homework which may include: learning vocabulary for in class tests, grammar practice, reading, listening, writing or preparation and practice for assessments.
Assessment:
At Higher, the assessment is made up of an exam, a writing assignment and a talk performance:
Exam: The end of year exam is made up of 2 question papers:
Paper 1: Reading and Directed Writing
Paper 2: Listening
Writing Assignment: You will write 200-250 words in French based on one of the following contexts: society, culture, employability or learning. You will complete this assignment in school but it will be externally marked by the SQA.
Talk performance: The Talking Performance is similar to National 5 but without the presentation.
Conversation: It should last approximately 10 minutes and will include questions on the 4 contexts mentioned above.
For more detailed information on the course structure, see the SQA website.
Advanced Higher
What will I learn?
The Advanced Higher French course provides candidates with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated language in the 4 contexts:
Society
Learning
Employability
Culture
The course offers candidates opportunities to develop and extend a wide range of skills including:
develop advanced skills in reading, listening, talking and writing
use a range of different media effectively for learning and communication
develop independent learning skills including research and analytical skills
develop skills in literary appreciation
further develop understanding of how language works
How will I be assessed?
Homework:
You will be set weekly homework which may include: learning vocabulary for in class tests, grammar practice, reading news articles or novels, listening to podcasts, writing or preparation and practice for assessments.
Assessment:
At Advanced Higher, the assessment is made up of an exam, a portfolio and a talk performance:
Exam: The end of year exam is made up of 2 question papers:
Paper 1: Reading and Translation
Paper 2: Listening and Discursive Writing
Portfolio: You will need to produce an essay in English, based on research into literature, media or language in work using at least 2 sources in French..
Talk performance: The Talking Performance consists of a face to face discussion in French with a visiting assessor. The assessment will last roughly 20 minutes.
For more detailed information on the course structure, see the SQA website.