English
English
What will I Learn?
You will develop your knowledge about language and how writers use it for effect.
You will explore a variety of themes and ideas through texts that you study including poems, plays, novels and films.
What skills with I develop?
You will develop the skills of Reading, Writing, Listening and Talking. This is through:analysing language features used by writers and what effect they have.
You will develop your writing skills by attempting creative writing, functional writing and critical essays on texts you have studied.
What could be helpful?
Reading regularly is a huge help because it develops your vocabulary and knowledge of language.
Having an open mind and a willingness to engage in a wide range of topics and texts also helps you get the most out of the course.
Is there is an Exam?
There is no formal assessment in S3 but your teacher will assess the work you produce throughout the year.
This will give you a clear idea of how you are progressing.
What comes next?
In S4, you can either take National 4 or National 5 English depending on your progress in S1 - S3.
The National 4 course is assessed in school with no final exam.
The National 5 course has a final SQA exam and a written folio which is sent to SQA to be marked.
Where can this take me?
This course can lead to National 5 English, Higher and Advanced Higher, depending on progress.
As a core subject there are a wide range of careers and courses which that require good communication skills. English helps you to develop these.
What will I Learn?
You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in S3 English. You will focus on these key areas:
Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (close reading)
Writing (creative and functional)
Talking skills
Listening skills
What skills with I develop?
A knowledge and understanding of how to analyse straightforward texts and explain what they mean
How to spot techniques used by writers and explain their effect
How to write effectively in a range of genres
How to communicate your ideas clearly in writing and talk activities
What could be helpful?
Reading regularly helps to develop your vocabulary and knowledge about language. This makes a real difference to your ability to understand texts.
Having an open mind and a willingness to engage in a wide range of topics and texts also helps you get the most out of the course.
Is there is an Exam?
No. At points in the year you will be assessed on key skills. To pass the course you must pass a number of units:
Analysis and Evaluation (this tests your reading and listening skills)
Creation and Production (this tests your writing and talking skills)
Assignment (this requires you to write a critical essay on a text taught in class)
What comes next?
A pass in National 4 English can lead to presentation for National 5 English, if appropriate.
A pass at National 4 English can also lead to National 5 Creative Industries, a Skills for Work course delivered by the English Department.
Your teacher will be able to advise you on the best option.
Where can this take me?
This course can lead to National 5 English or National 5 Creative Industries.
A qualification in English can open up opportunities for courses at college or university.
Employers value a good qualification in English because it is a mark of good communication and analytical skills.
What will I Learn?
You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in S3 and/or National 4.
You will focus on these key areas:
Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (close reading)
Textual Analysis of literature
Writing (creative and functional)
Talking and Listening skills
What skills with I develop?
A deeper knowledge and understanding of how to analyse texts and explain what they mean
How to spot techniques used by writers and explain their effect
How to write effectively in a range of genres
How to communicate your ideas clearly in writing and talk activities
What could be helpful?
Reading regularly helps to develop your vocabulary and knowledge about language. This makes a real difference to your ability to understand texts.
Having an open mind and a willingness to engage in a wide range of topics and texts also helps you get the most out of the course.
Is there is an Exam?
Yes.
Paper 1 - Reading for Understanding, Analysis & Evaluation (RUAE) - 1 hours and 30 minutes
Paper 2 - Critical Reading (Scottish Set Text Questions followed by a Critical Essay) - 1 hour and 30 minutes
There is a Folio. This is one piece of writing that sent to SQA in March to be marked.
What comes next?
A pass in National 5 English (preferably an A or a B) can lead to presentation for Higher English.
Where can this take me?
This course can lead to Higher English.
A qualification in English can open up numerous opportunities for courses at college or university.
Employers value a good qualification in English because it is a mark of good communication and analytical skills.
What will I Learn?
You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in National 5 English. You will focus on these key areas:
Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (Close Reading)
Textual Analysis of literature
Writing (creative and functional)
Talking and Listening skills
What skills with I develop?
The course is similar in structure to National 5 English but the texts and concepts are more complex and detailed.
A deeper knowledge and understanding of how to analyse texts and explain what they mean.
How to spot techniques used by writers and explain their effect.
How to write effectively in a range of genres.
How to communicate your ideas clearly in writing and talk activities.
What could be helpful?
Reading regularly helps to develop your vocabulary and knowledge about language. This makes a real difference to your ability to understand texts.
Having an open mind and a willingness to engage in a wide range of topics and texts also helps you get the most out of the course.
Is there is an Exam?
Yes.
Paper 1 - Reading for Understanding, Analysis & Evaluation (RUAE) - 1 hours and 30 minutes
Paper 2 - Critical Reading (Scottish Set Text Questions followed by a Critical Essay) - 1 hour and 30 minutes
There is a Folio. This is one piece of writing that sent to SQA in March to be marked.
What comes next?
A strong pass in Higher English (preferably an A or a B) can lead to presentation for Advanced Higher English. This is recommended for those who read regularly and are prepared for a significant amount of independent study.
Where can this take me?
This course can lead to Advanced Higher English.
A qualification in English can open up numerous opportunities for courses at college or university.
Employers value a good qualification in English because it is a mark of good communication and analytical skills.
What will I Learn?
You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in Higher English. You will focus on these key areas:
Textual Analysis (reading and analysing a range of unfamiliar texts)
Literary Study (Discussing, analysing and writing about a range of texts studied in class)
How to conduct an independent study of literary texts of your own choice
What skills with I develop?
The course is very different to Higher English and the texts and concepts are more complex and detailed.
A deeper knowledge and understanding of how to analyse texts independently
How to analyse the techniques used by writers and explain their effect in detail
How to write effectively in a range of genres
How to conduct independent research and cite sources correctly
How to lead a discussion seminar
What could be helpful?
An interest in reading and literature in general is essential as much of the course will be spent reading, discussing and analysing complex texts.
Having an open mind and a willingness to engage in a wide range of topics and texts also helps you get the most out of the course.
A willingness to share ideas and lead discussion in seminars.
Is there is an Exam?
Yes.
Paper 1 - Literary Study (extended critical essay on a taught text) - 1 hour and 30 minutes
Paper 2 - Textual Analysis (extended critical essay on an unseen text) - 1 hour and 30 minutes
You will also write a 2500 word Dissertation on a topic and texts of your choice which is sent to the SQA in April to be marked.
There is a also Folio that is sent to the SQA in May to be marked.
What comes next?
Advanced Higher English can lead to a range of further opportunities.
This includes a range of college and university course as well as a range of exciting careers.
English has many transferable skills which are beneficial even outside of the more traditional careers associated with English.
Where can this take me?
A qualification in Advanced Higher English is very good experience for someone wishing to further their English studies at college or university.
The course develops the skills required to continue your studies in Further or Higher education.
Employers value a good qualification in English because it is a mark of good communication and analytical skills.