National 4 Modern Languages
Course Specification
This explains the overall structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
Unit Specifications
These provide an outline of what each Unit will cover within the following Unit Specifications and detail the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
Added Value Unit Specification
These define the mandatory requirements for the Added Value Unit, including the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
They also include the further mandatory information on Course coverage for the National 4 Course and include information on the assessment method to be used and the conditions of assessment.
Added Value Unit Assessment
The Modern Languages Added Value Unit assessment is an assignment. While describing what candidates must do, the published assessment offers considerable flexibility in the choice of a context for the assessment.
In the assessment, candidates (in discussion with their assessor) select from society, learning, employability or culture, and choose a topic and at least two relevant, straightforward written texts in the modern language. Candidates then read and demonstrate their understanding in English of these two texts, by responding to supported and open questions. They select relevant information to give an oral presentation, in the modern language, on the topic investigated. Finally, they engage in a conversation with their assessor about the topic, demonstrating use and understanding of straightforward spoken language.
Centres can access the assessment through their SQA Co-ordinator.
As with all SQA Unit assessments, Added Value Unit assessments must be internally verified by centres.
Course and Unit Support Notes
These provide advice and guidance for teachers/lecturers on learning, teaching and assessment within the Course and its Units.
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Unit Assessment Support
These documents contain details of Unit assessment task(s), show approaches to gathering evidence and how the evidence can be judged against the Outcomes and Assessment Standards. Teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these confidential documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.
Verification and Course reports
- French Verification Key Messages Round 2
May 2017 - Gaelic Learners Verification Key Messages Round 2
September 2017 - German Verification Key Messages Round 2
May 2017 - Italian Verification Key Messages Round 2
May 2017 - Italian Verification Key Messages Round 2
May 2018 - Spanish Verification Key Messages Round 2
June 2017 - Spanish Verification Key Messages Round 1
March 2018
Understanding Standards
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries for unit assessment can be found on the SQA secure site. You can access these through your SQA Coordinator.
Course assessment overview
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio (4.35 MB)
- Overview of unit assessment - presentation with audio (4.25 MB)
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.