English - National 5

The National 5 English course provides learners with the opportunity to develop their listening, talking, reading and writing skills in order to understand and use language. Pupils will be introduced to texts of a lively, demanding and interesting nature. Language skills will be further developed so that pupils can express themselves clearly and effectively. Accuracy will be expected. Imaginative, creative and expressive potential will be fostered in writing. 

 
Course Content 

This Course is made up of the four language skills of listening, talking, reading and writing. The structure enables learners to focus on the skills required to understand and use language and to integrate listening, talking, reading and writing skills across the course. 

Analysis and Evaluation 

The purpose of this to provide learners with the opportunity to develop listening and reading skills in the contexts of literature, language and media. Learners develop the skills needed to understand, analyse and evaluate detailed texts. They will demonstrate these skills through:

• understanding, analysing and evaluating at least one detailed written text
• understanding, analysing and evaluating at least one detailed spoken language activity

Creation and Production 

The purpose of this is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop talking and writing skills in a range of contexts. Learners develop the skills needed to create and produce detailed texts in both written and oral forms. They will:

• create at least one written text using detailed written language
• participate in at least one spoken activity using detailed language

External Assessment 

The three components identified below will provide pupils with their overall grading. The first two components are undertaken in an Exam, while the Portfolio is undertaken in controlled conditions in school.  

• Critical Reading – 40% (20% for writing a Critical Essay; 20% for questions on Scottish set texts) 
• Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation – 30% 
• The Portfolio – 30% (One piece either creative or discursive which is marked externally) 

Further details on the external assessment can be found here. 

Entry Requirements 

The choice of course for pupils entering S4 will be based on holistic assessment of S2 and S3.