Modern Languages

Principal Teacher: Miss Lafitte (acting)

 

European Week of Languages 2009

Fun was had by all during the European Week of Languages and a large variety of activities took place during the week.  S1 created some excellent presentations about Francophone countries which they presented to their classes.  A selection of S2 pupils interviewed staff in a foreign language. Croissants and pains au chocolat were offered to all pupils during their language lessons and we took part in European quizzes.  The canteen staff created a delicious European menu for the week. 

Sponsoring Nelson

 

Over the past few years the Spanish classes have been sponsoring a child called Nelson who lives in Bolivia, he was abandoned by his parents several years ago and his sisters are raising him and his brother.  Not only have the Spanish classes been sending money but also many things like pens, pencils, paper, jotters, stickers, toothpaste etc to help provide equipment for him to go to school.  This year we decided to increase the amount of money we raise by arranging a sponsored silence with all of our S1 pupils.  This was extremely successful. 

 

Nelson is shown on the right hand side of these pictures.

 

In addition to standard S1/S2 courses, the department also offers the following courses:

Standard Grade- French

Standard Grade - Spanish

Intermediate 1 - Spanish
Intermediate 2 - French
Intermediate 2 - Spanish

Higher - French
Higher - Spanish

(Click to jump to the relevant section)

 

 

Standard Grade - French

Levels: Foundation, general and credit

(return to the top of this page)

All pupils should study French in S3 and S4 as it is
considered essential to provide all students with
the knowledge, transferable skills and human
qualities that will enable them to be internationally
mobile.  Learning a language has an essential role
to play in preparing all students for citizenship in
the wider society.

AIMS
Both the Standard Grade and the
Access / Intermediate Courses aim to :
develop an ability to communicate in the language;
access other cultures through the language;
enhance awareness of what language is, how it
is structured and how it is used, by comparing
the language with English.

Students “with a languages qualification are particularly well qualified in cultural knowledge and communication skills, an area to which employers give high priority”.   (Scottish Executive 2000)“In a multicultural world a modern language has enormous benefit to offer all students…regardless of their age or their aptitude.” (Scottish Executive 2000)

CONTENT
All courses consist of four elements :  Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing.   Students study relevant topics which include family, leisure, holidays, education and future plans.   They are also encouraged to learn about French culture and other French speaking countries.

ASSESSMENT
Standard Grade   :   Speaking assessments and folios account for 50% of the final grade and are assessed internally.   The final exam consists of a Reading and a Listening paper and is assessed externally.

Access 3 / Intermediate 1  :  Access 3 is assessed internally.   Intermediate 1 consists of both internal assessments and a final examination.
Subject to results in S2, Access 3 / Intermediate 1 may be offered to some pupils.

Standard Grade - Spanish

Levels: Foundation, general and credit

(return to the top of this page)

Starting in S3 some pupils will also be offered the opportunity to study Spanish at Standard Grade.  Apart from being a language which is spoken in 23 countries by 400,000,000 people (the third most widely spoken language in the world), many multi-national companies, call centres etc are currently investing in West Lothian which makes a language such a Spanish a valuable asset to employers.   Pupils are also more likely to see the relevance of learning Spanish as it is a favourite holiday destination.   Therefore, Spanish has the potential to benefit students educationally, personally and more importantly enhance employment prospects.

AIMS
Apart from enhancing students’ linguistic and communication
skills which are lifelong  skills and virtually indispensable
in any employment situation, the course will aim to :

develop an ability to communicate in the language;

access the diversity of Spanish culture and tradition;

enhance the students’ awareness of what language is,
how it is structured and how it is used by comparing
it with English;

make pupils true European citizens able to enjoy the
mobility and employment opportunities offered by
being members of the European Community.

CONTENT
The course will consist of four elements  :  Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing.   Pupils will study topics which relate to personal communication and the world of work.   Pupils will be given the opportunity to enhance their world knowledge by exploring the rich diversity of Spanish and Latin American culture and tradition.


ASSESSMENT
Standard Grade: Speaking assessments and folios account for 50% of the final grade and are assessed internally.  The final exam consists of a Reading and a Listening paper and is assessed externally.

Intermediate 1 - Spanish

Entry requirements: Standard grade General 4 or above

(return to the top of this page)

 

COURSE CONTENT:

Pupils will complete two units  :Personal and Social Language
Transactional Language

The four elements for Standard Grade - Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing continue in Intermediate 1, with a change in weighting.  New skills will, however, be required e.g. interpretation of reading passages and pieces of literature, a thorough knowledge of tenses for essay writing, topic discussion in groups - all using the foreign language.

Speaking
In addition to talking on personal matters, pupils will learn to speak about subjects of general interest in the target language and to present a topic.

Reading
Pupils will read fairly long passages in the target language, and comprehension is developed by means of translation and comprehension exercise.

Listening
Listening comprehension will continue to be developed with passages in the target language and answer in English.

Writing
Pupils will required to demonstrate a basic knowledge of grammatical structures.

METHODOLOGY
A multi skilled approach is used in Intermediate 1 and the course is topic based.
Topics studied are  :Leisure and Lifestyles
Education and Work
The Wider World

ASSESSMENT

To gain the unit awards, pupils must pass an assessment in each of the four skills. One assessment will be taken at the end of each topic and pupils are given the chance to re-sit if necessary.

To gain the course award, pupils have to pass the external examination at the end of the course.

Point to Note
Intermediate I may be studied as an end in itself in S5/6

Intermediate 2 - French

Entry requirements: Standard Grade General 2/3

(return to the top of this page)


COURSE CONTENT:

Pupils will complete two units  : Language
Personal Communication

The four elements for Standard Grade - Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing continue in Intermediate 2, with a change in weighting.  Language skills will be developed through the use of more extended reading and listening passages and authentic business materials - letters, faxes etc. It should be noted that Speaking and Writing are of equal importance and the pupils must gain competence in both.

Speaking
In addition to talking on personal matters, pupils will learn to speak about subjects of general interest in the target language and to present a topic.

Reading
Pupils will answer questions in English on various texts, extracts from newspapers, adverts, business letters and faxes.

Listening
Listening comprehension will continue to be developed through the use of videos and cassettes etc. in the target language and answer in English.

Writing
Pupils will required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the past tense and will be required to apply their knowledge of grammatical structures to written work.

METHODOLOGY

A multi skilled approach is used in Intermediate 2 and the course is topic base.
Topics studied are :Leisure and Lifestyles.
Education and Work
The Wider World

ASSESSMENT
To gain the unit awards, pupils must pass an assessment in each of the four skills. One assessment will be taken at the end of each topic and pupils are given the chance to re-sit if necessary.
To gain the course award, pupils have to pass the external examination at the end of the course.

Point to Note
Intermediate 2 may be studied as an end in itself in S5/6.  Pupils may use Intermediate 2 as a ‘bridge’ between Standard Grade work and Higher in S5 and continue to take Higher in S6.

Intermediate 2 - Spanish

Entry requirements: Standard grade general 3 or above or Int 1

(return to the top of this page)

 

COURSE CONTENT:

Pupils will complete two units  :
Language
Personal Communication

The four elements for Standard Grade - Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing continue in Intermediate 2, with a change in weighting.  Language skills will be developed through the use of more extended reading and listening passages and authentic business materials - letters, faxes etc. It should be noted that Speaking and Writing are of equal importance and the pupils must gain competence in both.

Speaking
In addition to talking on personal matters, pupils will learn to speak about subjects of general interest in the target language and to present a topic.

Reading
Pupils will answer questions in English on various texts, extracts from newspapers, adverts, business letters and faxes.

Listening
Listening comprehension will continue to be developed through the use of videos and cassettes etc. in the target language and answer in English.

Writing
Pupils will required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the past tense and will be required to apply their knowledge of grammatical structures to written work. Writing should develop from General Level to at least Credit level during the Intermediate 2 Course.

METHODOLOGY
A multi skilled approach is used in Intermediate 2 and the course is topic base .
Topics studied are  : 
Leisure and Lifestyles
Education and Work
The Wider World

ASSESSMENT
To gain the unit awards, pupils must pass an assessment in each of the four skills. One assessment will be taken at the end of each topic and pupils are given the chance to re-sit if necessary.
To gain the course award, pupils have to pass the external examination at the end of the course.

Point to Note
Intermediate 2 may be studied as an end in itself in S5/6.   Pupils may use Intermediate 2 as a ‘bridge’ between Standard Grade work and Higher in S5 and continue to take Higher in S6.

 

Higher - French

Entry requirements: Standard grade credit level (1/2) or Int 2

(return to the top of this page)

 

COURSE CONTENT:

Pupils will complete two units  : Language
Personal Communication

The four elements for Standard Grade - Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing continue in Higher, with a change in weighting.  New skills will, however, be required e.g. interpretation of reading passages and pieces of literature, a thorough knowledge of tenses for essay writing, topic discussion in groups - all using the foreign language.

Speaking
In addition to talking on personal matters, pupils will learn to speak about subjects of general interest and to present a topic.

Reading
Pupils will read fairly long passages in the target language, and comprehension is developed by means of translation and comprehension exercise.

Listening
Listening comprehension will continue to be developed with passages in the target language and answer in English.

Writing
Writing is both more intensive and extensive than at Standard Grade.

More complex grammar structures are introduced and practised, by means of language exercises, and essay writing. Spoken and written stimuli are used to introduce essay topics, thus linking all elements.

METHODOLOGY
A multi skilled approach is used in Higher Still and the course is topic based. Pupils will practise all four skills through class teaching, group and pair work, and use of  P.A.L.E. system, though with more emphasis on the pupil producing extended written work.
Topics studied are current and relevant, comprising   :Leisure and Lifestyles
Education and Work
The Wider World

ASSESSMENT
To gain the unit awards, pupils must pass an assessment in each of the four skills. One assessment will be taken at the end of each topic and pupils are given the chance to re-sit if necessary.
To gain the course award, pupils have to pass the external examination at the end of the course.

PROGRESSION  Students "with a language qualification are particularly well qualified in cultural knowledge and communication skills, an area to which employers give a high priority." (Scottish Executive 2000)

Higher - Spanish

Entry requirements: Standard grade credit level (1/2) or Int 2

(return to the top of this page)

COURSE CONTENT:

Pupils will complete two units  : Language
Personal Communication

The four elements for Standard Grade - Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing continue in Higher, with a change in weighting.  New skills will, however, be required e.g. interpretation of reading passages and pieces of literature, a thorough knowledge of tenses for essay writing, topic discussion in groups - all using the foreign language.
Speaking
In addition to talking on personal matters, pupils will learn to speak about subjects of general interest and to present a topic.

Reading
Pupils will read fairly long passages in the target language, and comprehension is developed by means of translation and comprehension exercise.

Listening
Listening comprehension will continue to be developed with passages in the target language and answer in English.

Writing
Writing is both more intensive and extensive than at Standard Grade.

More complex grammar structures are introduced and practised, by means of language exercises, and essay writing. Spoken and written stimuli are used to introduce essay topics, thus linking all elements.

METHODOLOGY
A multi skilled approach is used in Higher Still and the course is topic based. Pupils will practise all four skills through class teaching, group and pair work, and use of  P.A.L.E. system, though with more emphasis on the pupil producing extended written work.
Topics studied are current and relevant, comprising   :Leisure and Lifestyles
Education and Work
The Wider World

ASSESSMENT
To gain the unit awards, pupils must pass an assessment in each of the four skills. One assessment will be taken at the end of each topic and pupils are given the chance to re-sit if necessary.
To gain the course award, pupils have to pass the external examination at the end of the course.

PROGRESSION  Students "with a language qualification are particularly well qualified in cultural knowledge and communication skills, an area to which employers give a high priority." (Scottish Executive 2000)