Modern Languages - French
Staff
Mr C Hobbs (Faculty Head)
Ms D Sutherland (DHT)
Mrs E Hutchison
Mr N Boisson
Miss N Andrews (Certified Google trainer)
Miss L Cross
Miss K Durkan
Mrs K Lamb
Why Choose Languages?
From the earliest stages, learning experiences in modern languages develop and enhance the essential skills of literacy, personal and interpersonal skills, communication and ICT skills, and working with others. Equally importantly, learning a modern language encourages young people to take responsibility for their own learning, to assess their own strengths and weaknesses and to develop an awareness of the needs of others.
Developing language skills also encourages an enhanced sense of self as a confident and successful language learner and user, and as a member of communities at local, national and international levels.
In the modern world, languages and communication skills have become increasingly important in the workplace, where global trade, business, travel and ICT are part of everyday life. A study of job adverts will show an increasing requirement for competence in foreign languages. In the world of international trade and business, young people in Scotland must be equipped with the skills that will allow them to take advantage of the opportunities that exist for those with sound language abilities.
French
More tourists (75 million) visit France than any other country in the world. French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents. French and English are the only two global languages.
French, along with English, is the official working language of the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the 31-member Council of Europe, the European Community, the International Red Cross
France is a major world leader in medical research, electronics manufacturing, telecommunications and aircraft and car production.
S1
S1 French gives pupils the opportunity to build on the French they have learned at Primary school. Communication is key, therefore we focus on the essential skills of reading, listening, talking and writing throughout S1 and beyond. There is a greater emphasis on being able to write in the modern language in S1 in comparison with P7. Pupils will complete at least one assessment in each skill throughout the year.
S1 pupils have 2 jotters: class work and vocabulary. They should bring BOTH every time they have French.
The expectation is that S1 pupils will spend AT LEAST 10 minutes, three times per week on looking over vocabulary covered in class and written in their vocabulary notebook.
It would be helpful if pupils had a bilingual French/English dictionary at home in order to support their learning.
Here is some useful vocabulary for the S1 French course:
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S2
S2 French gives pupils the opportunity to build on the French they have learned in S1. Communication is key, therefore we focus on the essential skills of reading, listening , talking and writing throughout S2 and beyond. There is a greater emphasis on being able to read and write in the modern language in S2 compared to S1. Pupils will complete at least one assessment in each skill.
S2 pupils have 2 jotters: class work and vocabulary.
The expectation is that S2 pupils will spend AT LEAST 12 minutes, three times per week on looking over vocabulary covered in class and written in their vocabulary notebook.
It would be helpful if pupils had a bilingual French/English dictionary at home in order to support their learning.
S3 French
In S3 pupils will develop their language learning up to Level 4 Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes. They will also begin to develop the National 4 and National 5 contexts.
All S3 pupils at Calderglen High School follow the SQA accredited 'Modern Languages for Life and Work' course. The aim is for all of our young people to achieve a qualification in French, no matter their ability, to prepare them for the working world and beyond.
Appropriate teaching methods will ensure success in foreign language learning for all learners. Key features of learning and teaching will be:
- Real communication in relevant contexts, supported by ICT
- A renewed emphasis on how languages work, including grammar
- Maximum use of the modern language in the classroom
- An increased focus on culture and international education
- Language learning across the curriculum
Assessment of the Course
The course will be assessed and marked throughout the session by teachers. There will be a combined assessment of day to day class work and activities as well as formal tests of all 4 skills. The expectation is that S3 pupils will spend AT LEAST 15 minutes, three times per week on looking over vocabulary covered in class and written in their vocabulary notebook.
Progression
At the end of S3 pupils may progress to a course leading onto a further qualification at National 3, National 4 or National 5 French or Spanish.
At the end of S4 pupils could choose from the following progression routes:
- A pupil achieving National 3 may progress to National 4
- A pupil achieving National 4 may progress to National 5
- A pupil achieving National 5 may progress to Higher
Homework
Homework is an essential part of teaching and learning and helps to establish a routine of high expectations and achievement. In Modern Languages, homework is issued regularly. Its purpose is to promote the learning of the relevant material and to consolidate previous learning. Homework will challenge all pupils and provide them with opportunities for personal achievement. The amount of homework set and the level of the task will be in line with the level of the pupil’s ability. Homework tasks are explained in detail by the teacher and pupils should always note the task carefully in their diary planner. The bulk of homework issued in Modern Languages in S3 and S4 will take the form of learning vocabulary or preparing for specific Speaking and Writing tasks. Activities involving reading in the foreign language will also be issued. In addition, we encourage pupils to use the Internet to enrich their learning and develop their skills. We recommend the following websites in particular:
Equipment
Pupils should bring the following items to class every day:
- Jotter(s)
- Vocabulary notebook
- Pen/pencil
Pupils should have a French dictionary at home to use when completing homework tasks.
National 4 French
National 4 and National 5 Modern Languages Courses develop literacy skills by giving learners opportunities to read, listen, talk and write in a modern language and to reflect on how this relates to English. These Courses enable learners to understand and use a modern language, to apply their knowledge of a modern language in real life contexts.
National 4 is entirely internally assessed.
The N4 course is made up of three mandatory Units:
- Modern Languages: Understanding Language (National 4) The purpose of this Unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop reading and listening skills in the modern language and to develop their knowledge of straightforward language in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
- Modern Languages: Using Language (National 4) The purpose of this Unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop talking and writing skills in the modern language, and to develop their knowledge of straightforward language in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
- Added Value Unit: Modern Languages: Assignment (National 4) The purpose of this Added Value Unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to apply their language skills to investigate a chosen topic in a familiar context in the modern language. Pupils are required to read, research, present and converse in the Modern Language in order to achieve the National 4 Added Value Unit.
National 5 French
National 4 and National 5 Modern Languages Courses develop literacy skills by giving learners opportunities to read, listen, talk and write in a modern language and to reflect on how this relates to English. These Courses enable learners to understand and use a modern language, to apply their knowledge of a modern language in real life contexts.
Who is the course aimed at?
The course is mainly intended for students in Upper School who may have gained a National 4 award. It is also aimed at students who didn’t continue studying the subject after S3 but wish to take it up again. Students who want to start learning either language at beginner’s level would also be accepted on the course.
There is an external examination at National 5 which comprises a reading and writing paper, plus a listening paper. Talking is internally assessed and is worth 30% of the overall N5 grade.
Aims
The Course offers learners the opportunity to develop detailed language skills in the meaningful real-life contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
The course provides learners with the opportunity to:
- develop skills in reading, listening, talking and writing, which are essential for learning, work and life
- develop an understanding of how language works
- use different media effectively for learning and communication
- use language to communicate ideas and information.
The Course also provides learners with the opportunity to:
- use creative and critical thinking to formulate ideas and arguments
- enhance their enjoyment and understanding of their own and other cultures
- explore the interconnected nature of languages
Assessment of the Course
The N5 course is made up of two mandatory Units:
- Modern Languages: Understanding Language (National 5)
The purpose of this Unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop reading and listening skills in the modern language, and to develop their knowledge and understanding of detailed language in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
- Modern Languages: Using Language (National 5)
The purpose of this Unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop talking and writing skills in the modern language, and to develop their knowledge and understanding of detailed language in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
Total marks 120 marks
The performance in talking will be assessed and graded internally.
The writing assignment is completed internally and sent to SQA for marking
The reading, writing and listening papers will be assessed by SQA exam and graded externally.
Why not try our very own National 5 revision website?
It has all of the information that you need to achieve an amazing grade at National 5 French!
https://sites.google.com/sl.glow.scot/national-5-french/home?authuser=0
Higher French
Who is the course aimed at?
The course is mainly intended for students in Upper School who may have gained a National 5 A or B pass in the subject.
Aims
The Course offers learners the opportunity to develop detailed and complex language skills in the meaningful real-life contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
The course provides learners with the opportunity to:
- develop skills in reading, listening, talking and writing, which are essential for learning, work and life
- develop an understanding of how language works
- use different media effectively for learning and communication
- use language to communicate ideas and information.
The Course also provides learners with the opportunity to:
- use creative and critical thinking to formulate ideas and arguments
- enhance their enjoyment and understanding of their own and other cultures
- explore the interconnected nature of languages
Assessment of the Course
Question papers
Question paper 1: Reading and Directed writing 50 marks
Candidates may use a bilingual dictionary. This question paper has two sections:
Section 1 Reading
This section has 30 marks (25% of the total mark for course assessment).
- 20 marks are available for reading comprehension.
- 10 marks are available for translating part of the text into English.
Candidates read one text in the modern language. The text relates to one of the following contexts: society, learning, employability, culture. Candidates then respond to the questions, in English.
Section 2 Directed writing
This section has 20 marks, scaled by SQA to 15 marks (12.5% of the total mark for course assessment).
Candidates choose one scenario from the two provided in the question paper. Candidates produce one piece of writing on their chosen scenario, of 150–180 words.
The scenario contains six related bullet points. Candidates must address each bullet point. The directed writing task assesses candidates’ ability to use appropriate past tenses and at least one other tense (for example, conditional or future). Candidates have 2 hours to complete this question paper.
Question paper 2: Listening 20 marks
The question paper has 20 marks out of a total of 120 marks. This is scaled by SQA to represent 25% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Candidates may not use a dictionary. Candidates listen to one monologue in the modern language and respond to questions worth 8 marks. They then listen to one conversation in the modern language, with questions worth 12 marks. The questions are in English and candidates respond in English. Candidates have 30 minutes to complete this question paper.
Course assessment structure: assignment–writing 20 marks
The assignment allows candidates to produce a piece of writing in the modern language based on one of the following contexts: society, learning, employability, culture. The assignment has 20 marks out of a total of 120 marks. This is scaled by SQA to represent 12.5% of the overall marks for the course assessment. It is similar to the assignment at N5.
Performance–talking 30 marks
The performance is a discussion in the modern language based on at least two of the following contexts: society, learning, employability, culture. The performance–talking has a total mark allocation of 30 marks. This is 25% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Candidates take part in a discussion with the teacher using detailed and complex language on at least two different contexts, and respond to questions in the modern language relating to each of the contexts. Candidates may ask questions where appropriate during the discussion.
Total marks = 120
Why not try our very own Calderglen Higher French revision website?
It contains everything that you need in order to achieve an amazing grade at Higher French!
https://sites.google.com/sl.glow.scot/higherfrench/home
Advanced Higher French
What is the purpose of the course?
Study of the course at Advanced Higher will allow further development of the language skills acquired at Higher level. The aim will be to widen pupils’ knowledge of how language works and to develop confidence in speaking and interacting with others, sometimes at sophisticated levels. Pupils will also have the opportunity to study aspects of the media, literature and culture of France or Spain in more detail.
Who is the course aimed at?
The course is intended mainly for students who have gained a Higher in the language.
What will assessments consist of?
It should be noted that SQA are currently revising the format of Advanced Higher courses in Modern Languages. It is likely that the course structure will follow a similar pattern to that of the Higher course, and will more than likely include the specialist study unit:
Specialist Study (Advanced Higher)
Pupils will study an aspect of literature in the modern language, leading to a piece of discursive writing in English about the chosen text.
Learners will be required to provide evidence of their planning, research and analysis skills based on literature or media or language in work within the context of the modern language.
Course assessment
The Course assessment currently takes the form of:
Two question papers, through which learners will demonstrate their reading, translation, listening and discursive writing skills in the modern language.
- Paper 1 Reading and Translation (50 marks, 30 for reading and 20 for translation)
- Paper 2 Listening and Discursive Writing (70 marks, 30 for listening and 40 for discursive essay)
A performance worth 50 marks, through which learners will demonstrate their talking skills in the modern language.
A portfolio worth 30 marks, written in English, through which learners will demonstrate their analytical skills in relation to literature or media or language in work within the context of the modern language.
