English (National 5)

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parentforumscot NOV 2017 The National Parent Forum of Scotland is grateful for the support of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland in the preparation of this series. NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL The National Parent Forum of Scotland National 5 Summary English LANGUAGES For more detailed course information: SQA: English National 5: www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47410.html Education Scotland: www.education.gov.scot/nationalqualifications Curriculum for Excellence Key Terms and Features Factfile: www.education.gov.scot/parentzone/Documents/CfEFactfileOverview.pdf WHAT WILL MY CHILD EXPERIENCE DURING THE COURSE? • Active and independent learning by setting personal targets, reviewing and reflecting on progress and deciding next steps • A blend of classroom approaches including whole class, small group or one to one discussions; direct interactive teaching • Collaborative learning: in groups or pairs to encourage team-working, relationship-building, the verbalisation of ideas; with learners in other curricular areas to reinforce and transfer skills • Space for personalisation and choice: selecting texts and ways of showing evidence (presentation, e-document, critical essay); choice of assignment topic • Applying learning • Embedding literacy skills: selecting and assessing information, presenting findings; evaluating; debating; listening, reading, writing.

National 5 progresses onto Higher English.

ASSESSMENT • The course will be assessed through a performance, a portfolio and two question papers. It will be graded A to D. • The performance is assessed internally by the teacher as 'achieved' or 'not achieved'. Learners show their talking and listening skills by taking part in a group discussion or giving a presentation. • The portfolio is worth 30 marks and makes up 30% of the total mark. Learners will produce two different texts (one creative and one discursive/argumentative) to show they can write for different purposes. • The 'Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation' question paper is worth 30 marks and makes up 30% of the total assessment mark. Learners answer a series of questions on a passage of previously unseen non-fiction text. • The 'Critical Reading' question paper is worth 40 marks and makes up 40% of the total assessment mark. In section 1, learners answer questions on a Scottish text they have studied in class. In section 2, learners answer one essay question on a different text they have studied in class. • The portfolio and question papers are marked externally by SQA.

What skills will my child develop? • Understanding, explaining, analysing and evaluating detailed texts (language, literature and media) in oral and written forms • Creating, structuring and producing detailed texts for different purposes • Developing detailed language skills in language, literature and media contexts • Using different media for learning and communication • Social and interpersonal skills • Identifying sources, selecting and using information • Planning, researching and decision-making • Effective questioning and reflection • Justifying ideas with evidence • Communicating ideas, feelings and information orally and in writing with technical accuracy • Understanding how language works • Developing cultural awareness • Using creative and critical thinking to synthesise ideas and arguments NATIONAL 5