H French

Higher French aims to develop further the student’s communicative competence in the language – both orally and in writing. The course also involves further development of the student’s ability to understand the language in reading and listening tasks.

The Higher French course is open to all pupils who will potentially attain an overall C pass for National 5 French. However, we would advise all pupils who are not likely to attain at least a B pass for National 5 French and who wish to continue with French beyond National 5, to discuss their choice with their French teacher.

The Higher French course is also open to those pupils in S6 who ‘dropped’ the subject in S5 having gained a Nat 5 A or B in S4. We would advise however that these pupils will undoubtedly have to quickly re-adjust to language learning having been absent from the subject for a year.

The course consists of 2 units: understanding and using language. The course is divided into 4 contexts:

• society

• culture

• learning

• employability.

Question paper 1:

Reading: Candidates read 1 text written in the foreign language and must answer questions on the text in English. A small part of the text also needs to be translated.

Dictionaries are permitted for this part of the examination.

Directed Writing: Candidates address 6 bullet points to write a short essay. Dictionary allowed.

Question paper 2:

Listening: This involves 2 items played twice: 1 monologue and 1 dialogue. Candidates answer questions about the Listening in English. No dictionary.

Assignment writing: Candidates produce a piece of writing, choosing one of the contexts of society, learning, employability or culture. This is done in class, under supervision and is marked by the SQA. Dictionary allowed.

Talking: Candidates take part in a discussion on at least 2 contexts. This lasts approximately 10 minutes. Talking is internally assessed and externally verified by the SQA.

Advanced Higher

Students who are interested in the following careers should consider a qualification in a Modern Languages: Primary Teaching (primary school teachers are expected to have a Modern Language qualification), Law, Commerce/Marketing and Sales/Retailing, Leisure/Tourism and Travel Industry, Commercial Banking, Media, Customs and Immigration Services, Airline Services and Cabin Crew, Local Government, Hospitality/Catering, Interpreting/Translating, Journalism, Diplomatic Service, Importing/Exporting, Publishing, Transport and Distribution.

Languages can be easily combined with courses in Law, Business Management, Finance, Travel and Tourism, Journalism etc.