LARGS ACADEMY MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
National 4 and National 5 Explained
Topics covered in both National 4 and 5The topics for N4 and N5 are the same but the difference is in the level of language used.Topics are as follows:SocietyLearningEmployabilityCulture
National 4 Modern LanguagesThree assessed UnitsUnderstanding LanguageUsing LanguageAdded Value UnitPass or FailNo grades are awarded for this qualification
Using LanguageFor 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 LanguageFor 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 UnitFor 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 LanguagesTwo assessed UnitsUnderstanding LanguageUsing LanguageThese form the internally assessed part of the courseNational 5 has a Course (external) Assessment
Understanding LanguageFor 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 Englishshowing understanding of at least one detailed spoken
text which they listen to and answer questions in English
Using LanguageFor 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 AssessmentThe 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 1This paper assesses the skills of Reading and WritingThe 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.
WritingThe writing is now assessed on the day of the examThis is worth 20 marks and is an application for a job in
the country where the Modern Language is spokenCandidates are expected to produce a piece of writing of
around 120-150 words in length.
Information to be included in the Writing paperName, Age, Where you live.School/College/Education experience until nowSkills/Interests you have which make you right for the jobRelated work ExperienceCandidates will then have to respond to 2 unpredictable
bullet points.
Component 1 Paper 2This is the Listening paper and is in 2 partsIn part 1 candidates will listen to a monologue and
answer questions in English worth 10 marksIn part 2 candidates will listen to a conversation and
answer questions in English worth 20 marks
Component 2 TalkingThis is what was formerly known as the speaking
assessmentCandidates will speak about a chosen topic for 1 minuteThey 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
GradingNational 5 is graded A – DGrade D is a PASS at National 5Pupils must pass the Unit (Internal) assessments in order
to be presented for the Course (external) assessment
Compensatory AwardIf 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
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