English in the Senior Phase

No contribution to final grade Course Components Higher & National 5 Folio of Writing Two essays. Advice and support from class teacher. Sent to SQA for final marking. 30% Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation Paper 1 in final exam. (N5 - 1 hour; H – 90 mins.) Close reading passages and questions. Tests understanding of complex arguments and the language used in these. Critical Reading Paper 2 in final exam. (90 mins.) Set Text: Questions on previously studied text(s). 20% Critical Essay: pupils choose a question from a selection which best fits their class text. Spoken Assessment Usually a group discussion but could be a solo talk. Assessed by class teacher on a pass/fail basis. No contribution to final grade

Course Components National 4 No final exam. Pupils pass all internal assessment in order to achieve a course award. Analysis and Evaluation – developing reading and listening skills. Creation and Production – developing writing and talking skills. Literacy - develop the learners’ reading, writing, listening and talking skills in a variety of forms relevant for learning, life and work. Added Value Unit – Extended writing project.

A Typical Year Term 1 (May/June): Working on Folio Essay 1 – usually the persuasive essay. Feedback from SQA Markers’ Meetings. Term 2 (August – October): Component Grades. SQA Course Reports. Begin set text(s). Practise Reading for UAE. Term 3 (October – Christmas): Work on class text. Practise Reading for UAE Prepare for Prelim (pre- Christmas for S4; post- Christmas for S5/6) Term 4 (January – Easter): Analysis of Prelim result & target-setting Working on Folio Essay 2 – reflective or short story. Exam preparation!

Levels and Pathways Pupil numbers for 2017/18 were: S4 S5/6 National 4 or National 5 or Higher or Advanced Higher (S6 only) *English is compulsory *English is not compulsory 24 17 97 81 Every pupil achieves a qualification in their time with us 5

Our Expectations Effective time-management. Practising skills throughout the course. Pupils seek help from us when the going gets tough.

What You Can Expect from Us Excellent teaching; skilled staff; up-to-date advice. Target setting & review; component grade analysis (for Higher pupils); Prelim analysis. Teacher feedback; supported study; lunchtime drop in; extra marking in advance of final exam.

How You Can Help at Home Discuss the news; encourage regular reading of quality journalism. Talk about class texts e.g. opinions on characters, how and why the text ends the way it does. Quotations tests. Proof-read essays.

The ‘T’ Word Confidence building Reinforcement of skills Close reading practice Practising set text questions Structuring critical essays Writing folios Setting different texts Offering conflicting advice

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