LARGS ACADEMY MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT National 4 and National 5 Explained

Topics covered in both National 4 and 5 The topics for N4 and N5 are the same but the difference is in the level of language used. Topics are as follows: Society Learning Employability Culture

National 4 Modern Languages Three assessed Units Understanding Language Using Language Added Value Unit Pass or Fail No grades are awarded for this qualification

Using Language For this Unit, learners will be required to provide evidence of their talking and writing skills by: using straightforward spoken language in at least two conversations using straightforward written language in at least two activities

Understanding Language For this Unit, learners will be required to provide evidence of their reading and listening skills by: showing understanding of at least two straightforward written texts showing understanding of at least two straightforward spoken texts

Added Value Unit For this Unit, learners will be required to provide evidence of their reading and talking skills by: selecting relevant information from at least two written texts making an oral presentation in the modern language using these texts as a stimulus responding appropriately to questions in the modern language on the same topic

National 5 Modern Languages Two assessed Units Understanding Language Using Language These form the internally assessed part of the course National 5 has a Course (external) Assessment

Understanding Language For this Unit, learners will be required to provide evidence of their reading and listening skills by: showing understanding of at least one detailed written text which they read and answer questions in English showing understanding of at least one detailed spoken text which they listen to and answer questions in English

Using Language For this Unit, learners will be required to provide evidence of their talking and writing skills by: using detailed spoken language in at least one conversation lasting between 2-3 minutes using detailed written language in at least one activity. This is around 120-150 words in length

Course Assessment The Course assessment is the external exam The structure of this Course assessment is as follows: Component 1 — question paper 1: reading and writing 50 marks question paper 2 : listening 20 marks Component 2 —performance: talking 30 marks Total marks 100 marks

Component 1 Paper 1 This paper assesses the skills of Reading and Writing The Reading paper is worth 30 marks and the format is 3 texts worth 10 marks each in which candidates have to answer a mix of open and supported questions. An open question may be phrased ‘mention any two things.’ a supported question may ask the candidate to tick the correct box.

Writing The writing is now assessed on the day of the exam This is worth 20 marks and is an application for a job in the country where the Modern Language is spoken Candidates are expected to produce a piece of writing of around 120-150 words in length.

Information to be included in the Writing paper Name, Age, Where you live. School/College/Education experience until now Skills/Interests you have which make you right for the job Related work Experience Candidates will then have to respond to 2 unpredictable bullet points.

Component 1 Paper 2 This is the Listening paper and is in 2 parts In part 1 candidates will listen to a monologue and answer questions in English worth 10 marks In part 2 candidates will listen to a conversation and answer questions in English worth 20 marks

Component 2 Talking This is what was formerly known as the speaking assessment Candidates will speak about a chosen topic for 1 minute They will then engage in a conversation with their teacher which must cover at least one other topic area and should last approximately 3 minutes This performance will be recorded

Grading National 5 is graded A – D Grade D is a PASS at National 5 Pupils must pass the Unit (Internal) assessments in order to be presented for the Course (external) assessment

Compensatory Award If a pupils is presented at National 5 but does not achieve this, a compensatory National 4 will be awarded provided that the pupil has passed the National 4 Added Value Unit In the Modern Languages Faculty we are giving every pupil the opportunity to sit the National 4 Added Value Unit at the start of S4