Modern Languages - Spanish National Qualifications
Contact Details
St. Andrew's & St. Bride's High School
Platthorn Drive
East Kilbride
G74 1NL
National 4
National 4 French / Spanish is a skills based course, focusing on developing the skills of Talking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The course also offers learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the language and an appreciation of different cultures.
The course is made up of three units:
- Understanding Language (Listening and Reading)
- Using Language (Talking and Writing)
- Added Value Unit.
In these areas, pupils will become capable of understanding and using the language required for them to cope in situations and contexts relating to the broad themes of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture.
Topics covered in these contexts include:
- Society – Family and Friends, sport and Leisure, TV, cinema and technology.
- Learning – School life, subject choice and language learning.
- Employability – Pocket Money, work experience, preparing CVs and future plans.
- Culture – Holidays, transport, life in other countries.
N4- Course Assessment
At N4 the course is internally assessed on a Pass/Fail basis by the teacher. There is no external assessment or final examination.
Candidates have to secure a pass in the three units mentioned above to obtain an overall award at N4.
Understanding Languages – pupils must pass a Listening assessment and a Reading assessment
Using Language – pupils must pass a Talk assessment and a Writing assessment.
The Added Value Unit consists of an assignment focusing on challenge and application. In this unit, learners will be required to provide evidence of their ability to apply and integrate all 4 language skills- Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing.
Other benefits
Studying a language throughout S3 and S4 also helps learners discover a range of transferable skills that they will be able to use in other subjects and contributes significantly to the development of their literacy skills. In addition to focusing on the four key skills associated with communication, pupils will develop problem solving, thinking and creative skills and their ability to work with others.
National 5
National 5 French / Spanish is a skills based course, focusing on developing the skills of Talking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The course offers learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge of detailed language, increase their understanding of grammatical concepts and their appreciation of different cultures.
The National 5 course covers the contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture.
Topics covered in these contexts include:
- Society – Family relationships, Friendship, Healthy Lifestyle, Advantages/disadvantages of new technology, Comparison of Town and Country life, Environment.
- Learning – Language learning, Subject choice, Comparing education systems.
- Employability – Work experience, Part time jobs, Future Plans.
- Culture - Holidays, Importance of travel, Comparison of cultures and traditions.
Course Assessment (final exam) consists of two Question Papers, an assignment and a performance.
- Paper 1 Reading and Writing
- Paper 2 Listening
The Performance is a spoken presentation in French or Spanish on a chosen topic followed by a conversation. This usually takes place in March.
Other Benefits
Studying a language throughout S3 and S4 also helps learners discover a range of transferable skills that they will be able to use in other subjects and contributes significantly to the development of their literacy skills. In addition to focusing on the four key skills associated with communication, pupils will develop problem solving, thinking and creative skills and their ability to work with others. Furthermore, at National 5 learners analyse and evaluate texts and apply more complex language skills.
Stand out from the crowd!
Gaining an award at National 5 in a foreign language is an indication that you are able to use the language independently in confident and flexible ways. Remember speaking another language makes you stand out from the crowd! A Modern Language is extremely valuable for many career paths, for entry to higher or further education and for your general education and personal development. In an increasingly multilingual world where language skills are in scarce supply, a Modern Language qualification is seen by employers and further/higher education providers as being highly desirable. By speaking a language other than English, the world opens up to you – you have an asset for life!
