The French Higher course structure consists of two units:
Understanding Language and Using Language.
Understanding Language develops the skills of Reading and Listening. Using Language develops the skills of Talking and Writing.
The Units aim to develop all language skills for use in a range of purposes. Contexts for this language work are defined in four broad themes:
- Society
- Learning
- Employability
- Culture.
Recommended Entry
While entry to the course or units is at the discretion of the department, candidates will normally be expected to have attained:
- National 5 in French
- or equivalent qualification
While studying the topics Society, Learning, Employability and Culture pupils will develop the skills acquired for National 5 enabling them to discuss and convey opinions on more general issues which are relevant and of interest.
Course Assessment
Talking (30 marks)
This will take the form of a recorded face-to-face conversation, lasting 10 minutes maximum, where candidates will answer a series of questions on at least two contexts of their choice.
Exam
Paper 1 – Reading and Directed Writing
Reading (Total 30 marks)
One passage – with questions in English 20 marks
and a short piece to translate into English 10 marks
Directed Writing (Total 20 marks)
This is a written paper in French about a past event, using bullet points. This will mainly test ability to write in past tenses.
Paper 2
Listening (20 marks)
Two listening passages in French with questions in English.
Writing assignment (20 marks)
Pupils have to write an essay on a context of their choice, in French. 200-250 words. The assignment is sent to the SQA for external marking.
French Advanced Higher
Course Structure
The course consists of three units:
- Understanding Language
- Using Language
- Specialist Study
Recommended Entry
Entry to this Course is at the discretion of the school. However, learners would normally be expected to have attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by the following or equivalent qualifications and /or experience:
- Higher French
Aims
The main purpose of the Advanced Higher course is to develop the skills of listening, talking, reading and writing in order to understand and use French
The Course offers learners opportunities to develop and extend a wide range of skills. In particular, the Course aims to enable learners to develop the ability to:
- Read, listen, talk and write in a modern language
- Understand and use a modern language
- Apply advanced language skills of translation
- Apply knowledge and understanding of a modern language to a range of contexts
- Develop and apply research skills to engage in an independent individual study of literature or media or language in work
During the course the following skills for learning skills for life and skills for work will also be developed.
Literacy, Employability, enterprise and citizenship thinking skills.
End of Unit Assessments
Reading, Listening, Writing, Talking and the specialist study
Course Assessment Structure
Component 1 – question paper: Reading and Translation 50 marks
Component 2 – question paper: Listening and Discursive Writing 70 marks
Component 3 – portfolio 30 marks
Component 4 ** – performance 50 marks
Total Marks 200 marks
** Performance is a talk
This will take the form of a 20 minute recorded conversation with a visiting examiner usually in March.
Homework
Pupils are expected to do reading, writing and listening homework. They also have to learn vocabulary, verbs and grammar through exercises, as well as speaking and writing preparation.
Homework is given, usually on a weekly basis for set days; sometimes short exercises are set for next day