1. Welcome to National 5 French
Course outline and Expectations

2. Why are languages important?
You will add an international dimension to your choice of subjects at this stage which only 30% of students in the UK have and most of them go to private schools!
You will create greater opportunities for yourself to work abroad, or for companies in the UK with international links. Many employers look for people who speak a foreign language.

3. You will learn about the countries where the language is spoken and get a lot more out of a trip there.
You will learn many skills which are useful in a wide range of future careers, such as the ability to communicate clearly, being confident about speaking in public, using problem-solving strategies, etc.

4. Expectations
Remember you will only get out of the language what you put into it.
Learning a language has many benefits, work hard and the rewards will pay off.
I will work hard for you so that you get the result that you want, but you need to work too...
Attend all classes, come prepared, be enthusiastic and complete homework

5. What will you study? Skills for life, learning and work
2 units: Understanding Language and Using Language
(Added Value Unit: Reading & Listening, Writing & Talking)
4 Skills
Reading (30%)
Listening (20%)
Talking (30%)
Writing (20%)
**Grammar**
4 Contexts:
Society
Culture
Learning
Employability
Skills for life, learning and work
Communicating with others, working in pairs and groups, time and task management, meeting deadlines, problem solving and decision making.

6. The 4 contexts Culture Importance of Languages Society
Holidays
Special Events/Culture
Society
Family & Relationships
Friends & Importance of Friendship
Lifestyle /Health & Fitness
Technology & Media

7. The 4 contexts
Learning
School life (difference between France and Scotland)
Subjects (reasons for subject choice)
Pressure at school
Future Learning plans
Employability
Advantages and disadvantages of jobs
Ideal jobs
Talking about part time work
Earning your own money/pocket money

8. Unit Assessments These are pass/fail- no mark is given
You will do a unit assessment in each of the 4 communication skills.
Listening
Reading
Writing
Talking

9. The Exam: Reading
This question paper will have 30 marks (30% of the total mark).
You have 1hr 30 mins (for both parts; reading & writing- approx 1 hour for reading element)
Section one, titled ‘Reading’, will have 30 marks.
You will read three texts in the modern language.
Each text’s questions total 10 marks.
You will respond to questions in English.
You may need to provide information to complete the answer, fill gaps in statements with missing detail or select the correct answer(s) from a choice of 4.
You may use a dictionary and glossary (if appropriate).  

10. The Exam: Writing Section two, titled ‘Writing’, will have 20 marks.
You will produce one written text in response to a job advertisement.
You will be given six bullet points which you must address
The first four are mainly predictable. You may use a dictionary.
You need to write words
This is a part of the exam that you will be able to prepare in advance- you should aim for 20/20.
Allow 30 mins to complete.

11. Problem Solving, Evaluation & Analysis

12. The Exam: Listening
This question paper will have 20 marks (20% of the total mark).
It lasts 25 mins
You will listen to one monologue and one short conversation in the modern language. You will answer questions in English.
Monologue has an overall purpose question, which is multiple choice. It is marked out of 8.
The dialogue is out of 12.

13. The talking performance 30% of your final mark!!!!
Presentation 1-1 ½ mins
You will deliver a presentation about a topic of your choice.
It should have a clear structure and contain a range of vocabulary, opinions and tenses.
Marked out of 10
Discussion 4 ½ mins
You will answer and ask questions about the topic you have just discussed.
You should be able to comment on your teacher’s response too.
Marked out of 15
You can get 5 more marks for being able to sustain the conversation

14. Working at home
Use online resources and activities – eg (username: gryffe password: languages), school languages web site.
BBC Languages online, BBC Classclips
Read as much in the foreign language as you can, books or newspapers, for example:
le monde:
le parisien:
Listen to French music, French radio
Youtube video clips
Ensure that you revise your notes at least 3 nights per week.
Make sure that you learn vocabulary and verbs thoroughly.
Keep practising your writing bullet points throughout the year.
When learning vocabulary, make sure you read it aloud so that you practise pronunciation and recognise what the word sounds like.