All pupils learn French from P1 until the end of S3. There are also opportunities to learn other languages, such as Italian, Mandarin and Spanish. This table summarises our current options:

Learning languages from primary 1! 

We work together with our local primary schools to make sure that language learning is motivating and challenging from P1 to S6.

All pupils study French until the end of S3 and may also choose Italian and/or Spanish as an additional language at the end of S2.  Spanish and Mandarin are offered as electives in S1/2.

Throughout the BGE students will have experiences that will allow them to develop 3 broad skill areas:

• Listening and talking
• Reading
• Writing

By the end of S3, the vast majority of students will have a strong enough foundation to continue with the language at National 4 or National 5 level in

In S4 and S5, young people have the choice of three languages (French/Italian/Spanish) and in S6, the choice of four languages (French, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin). 

The National 4 course gives learners the opportunity to develop skills in order to understand and use straightforward language.  They study their chosen language through different themes and topics in four broad contexts: society, learning, employability and culture.

Assessment

• Unit assessments

Learners must pass four unit assessments. These are carried out in class time according to SQA guidelines and are marked as ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. They are:

1 X Listening

1 X Talking

1 x Reading

1 X writing

A teacher may combine assessments, so that learners have the opportunity to pass in two skills at once, e.g. listening and talking.

• Added Value Unit or AVU (pass/fail)

Learners use texts and other materials to create a presentation on a particular topic. They deliver their presentation to the teacher in class, who follows up with some straightforward questions.

There is no external exam at National 4 level.

The National 5 course gives learners the opportunity to develop skills in order to understand and use detailed language. They study their chosen language through different themes and topics in four broad contexts: society, learning, employability and culture.

Assessment

National 5 awards are graded A-D and this is based on performance in a combination of course assessments and an external examination.

Course assessment:

• The performance or oral exam (30 marks)
• The writing assignment (20 marks)

Course assessments are carried out in school according to SQA guidelines, but marks for these are submitted to the SQA and count towards the overall grade for National 5.

External examination:

• Paper 1:

Reading (30 marks) and Writing (20 marks)

• Paper 2:

Listening (20 marks)

The Higher course gives learners the opportunity to develop skills in order to understand and use detailed and complex language. They study their chosen language through different themes and topics in four broad contexts: society, learning, employability and culture.

Assessment

Higher awards are graded A-D and this is based on performance in a combination of a course assessment and an external examination.

Course assessment:

• The performance or oral exam (30 marks)

The course assessment is carried out in school according to SQA guidelines, but marks for this are submitted to the SQA and count towards the overall grade for Higher.

External examination:

• Paper 1:

Reading + Translation (30 marks) and Directed Writing (10 marks)

• Paper 2:

Listening (20 marks) and Short Essay (10 marks)

Until the end of session 2017/18, unit assessments are also mandatory at Higher level. These are marked ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. They are:

• 1 X Listening
• 1 X Talking
• 1 x Reading
• 1 X Writing

The Advanced Higher course gives learners the opportunity to develop skills in order to understand and use complex and sophisticated language.   They study their chosen language through different themes and topics in four broad contexts: society, learning, employability and culture.

Assessment

Advanced Higher awards are graded A-D and this is based on performance in a combination of course assessments and an external examination.

Course assessment:

• Portfolio (30 marks)
• Performance (50 marks)

The portfolio is prepared in school according to SQA guidelines, but is submitted to the SQA for marking and counts towards the overall grade for Advanced Higher.

The performance is prepared in school according to SQA guidelines, but is conducted by an external examiner.

External examination:

• Paper 1:

Reading + Translation (50 marks)

• Paper 2: Listening (30 marks) and Discursive Essay (40 marks)

Until the end of session 2018/19, unit assessments are also mandatory at Advanced Higher level. These are marked ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. They are:

• 1 X Listening
• 1 X Conversation
• 1 x Reading
• 1 X Writing

H Modern Languages
N5 Modern Languages