English
Progression Pathways
The diagram below shows the progression pathways available in this subject area.
SCQF Level 4
National 4 English
Aims of the Course
To develop learners’ confidence and skills in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening.
Course Content & assessment
There are four mandatory units in this course.
Analysis and Evaluation
Learners will study literature, language, media, and complete a personal reading programme.
Two outcomes:
Analyse a piece of written text.
Analyse a piece of spoken text.
In addition, learners will be taught how to plan and write literature essays but they will not be formally assessed in this skill.
Creation and Production
Learners will produce writing pieces in various genres and perform a talk.
Two outcomes:
One piece of writing, any genre.
One extended talk, with questions from the audience.
Literacy
No specific outcomes, but learners must meet the standards of literacy required to pass units 1, 2 and 4.
Added Value Unit
A research project, where learners have to demonstrate the application of skills taught in the
other units. Learners have to choose a task, carry out research and present their findings either in writing (700-800 words) or by doing a presentation (at least 5 minutes, not including questions).
SCQF Level 5
National 5 English
It is recommended that learners entering this course achieve at least Level 3 in Reading and Writing in S3 or pass National 4 English.
Aims of the Course
To develop learners’ confidence and skills in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening and to be able to apply these skills in unfamiliar contexts.
Course Content
Learners will study literature, language and media, and they will complete a personal reading programme.
Learners will be taught how to plan and write literature essays in preparation for the final exam, and they will learn how to analyse written texts – both fiction and non-fiction.
Learners will produce writing pieces in various genres. Currently, one writing piece will be submitted to the SQA in March of the presentation year.
Learners will also participate in a group discussion or perform a solo talk. This is assessed on a pass/fail basis and the results are submitted to the SQA before presentation.
Course Assessment
Candidates have to pass the outcomes for each Unit detailed above before progressing to the external exam.
Exam
Paper 1: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (1 hour)
Paper 2: Critical Reading (1 hour and 30 minutes)
One Scottish set text extract with questions
One literature essay
Coursework
A portfolio is submitted to the SQA before the final examination. It currently contains one piece of extended writing that is broadly creative or broadly discursive.
N.B. In previous years, two portfolio pieces have been required.
SCQF level 5 Units: communication & introduction to literature
It is recommended that learners entering this course achieve a pass for National 4 English.
Aims of the Course
To develop learners' confidence and skills in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening and to be able to apply these skills in unfamiliar contexts.
Course Content
Learners will study literature, language and the mass media. Learners will be taught how to plan and write literature essays in preparation for the final assessment, and will learn how to analyse written texts – both fiction and non-fiction.
Learners will produce writing pieces in various genres. Learners will participate in a group discussion or perform a solo talk.
There is no exam for this course. It is designed to offer students who have either achieved National 4 by the end of S3 or during the course of S4 an alternative qualification to National 5 English. The units are assessed on a pass/fail basis and results are submitted to the SQA.
Passing both Level 5 units is the equivalent of a C pass at National 5 for entrance to college and some universities.
Course Assessment (all in-class)
Unit 1: Introduction to Literature
Outcome 1: Two literature essays, of at least 650 words, written in class under controlled conditions.
Outcome 2: Textual analysis of one literary text extract with questions.
Unit 2: Communication
Outcome 1: Respond to questions on an unseen non-fiction text that you will read.
Outcome 2: Produce written texts of at least 650 words which present detailed and complex information.
Outcome 3: Respond to questions on detailed, complex spoken communications.
Outcome 4: Participate actively in speaking activities e.g. a group discussion and an individual presentation.
SCQF Level 6
Higher English
It is recommended that learners entering this course achieve an A or a B for National 5 English.
Aims of the Course
To challenge and increase learners’ skills in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening and to be able to apply these skills in unfamiliar contexts.
Course Content
Learners will study challenging examples of literature, language and media, and they will complete a personal reading programme. In addition, learners will develop their skills of planning and writing literature essays in preparation for the final exam.
Learners will produce writing pieces in various genres, demonstrating understanding and application of detailed and complex language. Currently, one writing piece will be submitted to the SQA in March of the presentation year.
Learners will participate in a group discussion or perform a solo talk. This is assessed on a pass/fail basis and results are submitted to the SQA before presentation
Course Assessment
Candidates have to pass the outcomes for each Unit detailed above before progressing to the external exam.
Exam
Paper 1: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (1 hour and 30 minutes)
Paper 2: Critical Reading (1 hour and 30 minutes)
One Scottish set text extract with questions
One literature essay
Coursework
A portfolio is submitted to the SQA before the final examination. It currently contains one piece of extended writing that is broadly creative or broadly discursive.
N.B. In previous years, two portfolio pieces have been required.
SCQF level 6 Units: communication NC & literature 1
It is recommended that learners entering this course achieve a pass in both SCQF Level 5 Units or a pass at National 5 English.
Aims of the Course
To develop learners' confidence and skills in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening and to be able to apply these skills in unfamiliar contexts.
Course Content
Learners will study literature, language and media. Learners will be taught how to plan and write literature essays in preparation for the final assessment, and will learn how to analyse written texts – both fiction and non-fiction.
Learners will produce writing pieces in various genres. Learners will participate in a group discussion and perform a solo talk.
There is no exam for this course. It is designed to offer students who have either achieved National 5 by the end of S4 or S5 an alternative qualification to Higher English. The units are assessed on a pass/fail basis and results are submitted to the SQA.
This course also provides excellent preparation for Higher English in S6, for those who have achieved a C at National 5 in S4. Passing both Level 6 Units is the equivalent of a C pass at Higher for entrance to college and some universities.
Course Assessment (all in-class)
Unit 1: Literature 1
Outcome 1: Two literature essays, of at least 650 words, written in class under controlled conditions.
Outcome 2: Textual analysis of one literary text extract with questions.
Unit 2: Communication NC
Outcome 1: Respond to questions on an unseen non-fiction text that you will read.
Outcome 2: Produce written texts of at least 650 words which present detailed, complex information.
Outcome 3: Respond to questions on detailed, complex spoken communications.
Outcome 4: Participate actively in speaking activities e.g. a group discussion and an individual presentation.
SCQF Level 7
Post-Higher Provision: Advanced Higher English
It is recommended that learners entering this course achieve an A, B, or C at Higher English.
Aims of the Course
To explore a wide range of literature, to develop independent critical skills, and to write sophisticated pieces in a variety of genres.
Course Content
The Advanced Higher course will provide learners with opportunities to extend and refine their analysis and evaluation skills through the study of a range of complex and sophisticated texts in different literary genres and through research into an aspect of literature.
Furthermore, it will provide learners with the opportunity to extend and refine their writing skills though the production of a wide range of writing in different genres.
In addition, candidates will produce a portfolio to be submitted to the SQA for external assessment.
Course Assessment
Exam
Paper 1: Literary Study
There will be a choice of comparative critical essay questions from the genres of Drama, Prose Fiction, Prose Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Candidates will select one question.
This section is worth 20 marks (20% of the final grade).
Paper 2: Textual Analysis
There will be a choice of question for the genres of Drama, Prose Fiction, Prose Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Candidates will select one genre/question.
This section is worth 20 marks (20% of the final grade).
Coursework
A portfolio, currently comprising two pieces, is submitted to the SQA. It currently contains one dissertation and one piece of extended writing from a choice of genres. The portfolio is worth 60 marks (60% of the final grade).
N.B. In previous years, the extended writing portfolio has required two pieces from a choice of genres.
