Exams

COURSE TITLE: Modern Languages (Higher)

COURSE NUMBER: Russian C062 12

COURSE STRUCTURE:

The course consists of two units: one mandatory unit and one optional unit.

Mandatory unit

D477 12 Language (H) 2 credits (80 hours)

Optional units

D479 12 Extended Reading/Viewing (H) 1 credit (40 hours) or

D476 12 Language in Work (H) 1 credit (40 hours)

RECOMMENDED ENTRY

While entry to the course or units is at the discretion of the centre, candidates will normally be expected to have attained:

• Intermediate 2 in the appropriate language or its component units.

• Standard Grade in the appropriate language at Grade 1 or 2, including Writing award at Grade 1 or 2 or equivalent qualification.

*Candidates holding a Standard Grade in the appropriate language at Grade 1 or 2 and Writing award at Grade 3 or 4 may be advised to follow the Intermediate 2 course.

CREDIT VALUE

The Higher Course in Modern Languages is allocated 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 6*

*SCQF points are used to allocate credit to qualifications in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Each qualification is allocated a number of SCQF credit points at an SCQF level. There are 12 SCQF levels, ranging from Access 1 to Doctorates.

National Course Specification: course details

A course award at Higher in a foreign language is a benchmark achievement. It is an indication that the learner has reached a stage in foreign language learning which begins to allow her/him to use the language independently in confident and flexible ways. From this level of achievement, the candidate will be in a position to pursue further foreign language study or to use the foreign language in a variety of ways, which might include:

• specialising in the study of the language, literature and culture of the country (or countries) concerned (eg Advanced Higher, study at Higher Education level)

• deploying her/his language skills for specific purposes, such as study of a subject at a university or other tertiary level establishment in the foreign country as part of a British degree, or interacting at an appropriate level with speakers of the language within an employment context

• drawing on the acquired level of knowledge about language and facility in language use to learn a different foreign language

• communicating with similarly educated foreign contemporaries

• using acquired language skills to access media in the target language, including TV programmes,

films and magazine articles, for personal enjoyment.

The main aim of the course, therefore, is for the candidate to develop communicative competence to a level of some sophistication in defined, relevant and useful contexts.

Other important aims are to provide a worthwhile and enjoyable educational experience for the candidates and to provide them with an increasing bank of knowledge about the foreign country or countries and its/their customs and ways of life.

The course consists of two units, one of 80 hours designed to develop the relevant skills and competences within the context of three broad themes: lifestyles; education and work; and the wider world. The other unit offers candidates a choice of two options which may reflect their potential future language use or course of study or particular set of interests.

One option focuses on extended reading and possibly viewing. The other option focuses on the productive, interactive or mediating uses of language which are often required in work-related contexts, though that productive work also requires the candidate to read and understand relevant textual material. It is anticipated that, in the first instance, centres may wish to direct candidates’ choice, taking account of teaching expertise and available resources. Candidates must complete the language unit and one of the optional units in order to gain the course award.

The course will contribute to the general education of the candidates by widening their horizons to encompass awareness of aspects of the culture of the country or countries where the language is spoken. It will also contribute to a wider understanding of how language works. The teaching approaches adopted will contribute to the development of confidence in interacting with others, at times at sophisticated levels, and in the ability to cope successfully and flexibly with unfamiliar situations.

Source: http://www.sqa.org.uk