N5 English

This course will allow candidates to encounter and engage with a range of texts across literature, language, and the media. The course enables candidates to communicate, to think critically, and to be thoughtful and creative. Candidates will be encouraged to reflect on, and to build an understanding of, their own experiences, environment, and culture, and the experiences, environments and cultures of others. Through the study of Scottish writers, candidates will develop an appreciation of Scotland’s own literary heritage. Language and literature are key aspects of our culture, and the cultures of others, and through them can be fostered an awareness, and a celebration of cultural diversity.

BGE Level 4

English National 4

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course: the development of key communication and literacy skills in reading, writing, talking and listening understanding, analysis and evaluation of detailed texts in the contexts of literature, language and media, including Scottish literature the production of detailed texts in a range of contexts knowledge and understanding of language.

Course assessment structure: performance–spoken language (Internal)

The purpose of this performance–spoken language is to provide evidence of the candidates’ skills in talking and listening. This performance, which is part of course assessment, is assessed on an achieved/not achieved basis. It is a compulsory requirement for a course award in National 5 English.

The spoken language performance comprises the skills of talking and listening.

SQA Examination (External)

Paper 1- Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (30 marks)

The purpose of this question paper is to assess candidates’ application of their reading skills in the challenging context of unseen material and a limited time. 30 marks (30% of the total mark) are awarded for applying reading skills in understanding, analysis and evaluation to questions on one non-fiction passage.

Paper 2 – Critical Reading : Section 1 Scottish texts (20 marks) & Section 2 Critical essay (20 marks)

The purpose of this question paper is to assess the application of candidates’ critical reading skills and their knowledge and understanding of previously-studied literary, media or language texts, including the work of at least one Scottish writer from the prescribed list. Candidates must select two different genres and cannot use the same text twice. 40 marks in total are available for this paper.

Portfolio–writing (30 marks)

The purpose of this portfolio–writing is to provide evidence of candidates’ skills in writing for two different purposes: one broadly creative, and one broadly discursive. The portfolio has 30 marks (30% of the total mark). 15 marks are awarded for each piece of writing within the portfolio. The candidate will produce the portfolio independently, but the teacher or lecturer.

English Higher

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