Calderside Academy

Languages

Welcome to the Modern Languages Department

Bienvenue! ¡Bienvenidos!

The Languages Department strives to make pupils passionate and excited about learning languages. We want our pupils to be inspired and confident in their abilities and to be well equipped to use their languages for a range of purposes, both within the classroom and beyond. 

At each level we aim to develop our pupils’ skills in four areas: Reading, Listening, Talking and Writing. We ensure that grammar is taught thoroughly so that pupils are able to access more complex language for themselves. We also work to develop literacy, numeracy and ICT skills as we move through the course.

The study of both French and Spanish is compulsory until the end of S2.

Pupils will receive 2 periods of each language, per week. 

Languages Faculty Staff

  • Miss A. Cunningham  (Head of Faculty)
  • Ms L. Croan
  • Ms M. Hislop
  • Miss J. Mason 
  • Ms S. McGregor
  • Mrs J. Viola

S1 - S3

Our courses

From S1 to S3 pupils will engage in a Broad General Education using the Active Teach online courses. 

S1

Pupils will study French and Spanish (2 periods per week of each language)

They will cover the following topics:

  • Personal information (personality and appearance, personal belongings, likes and dislikes)
  • School (subjects and opinions, the time, the school day, food)
  • Free time activities (sports and hobbies, technology)

S2

Pupils will study French and Spanish (2 periods per week of each language)

They will cover the following topics:

  • My town/city (what there is to do, directions, descriptions and invitations)
  • Holidays (countries, daily routine, activities, higher numbers)
  • Paris/Madrid (activities, likes and dislikes, tourist information) 
  • My identity (personality, friends, music, clothes, sports and weekend activities)

In S3 pupils can opt for

  • French
  • Spanish
  • French and Spanish
  • Languages for Life and Work 

S3 French

Pupils will study French (4 periods per week)

They will cover the following topics:

  • Media (films, TV and technology)
  • Family and relationships
  • Home and town (description, home, food, events)

S3 Spanish

Pupils will study Spanish (4 periods per week) using the Viva Active teach online course. 

They will cover the following topics:

  • Personal information (personality and appearance, personal belongings, likes and dislikes, family and pets)
  • School (subjects and opinions, numbers and the time, the school day, food)
  • Free time activities (sports and hobbies, technology)
  • My town/city and home 

Key grammar points and the 4 key skills of reading, listening, talking and writing will be developed through the Broad General Education.

S3 Languages for Life and Work

Pupils can opt for the Languages for Life and Work Award (4 periods per week)

They will cover the following topics:

  • Languages for Life (French)
  • Languages for Work Purposes (French) 
  • Building Employability Skills (English) 

Senior Phase

S4

Pupils may study:

  • French (National 3, National 4, National 5)
  • Spanish (National 3, National 4, National 5)

In both languages pupils will develop their skills in reading, talking, listening and writing and their knowledge of the grammar of the language within four contexts (Society, Learning, Employability and Culture)

They will cover the following topics:

Society: family, friends and relationships, healthy lifestyles, lifestyle choices, technology, where you live and the environment

Learning:  school life and careers, future plans

Employability: applying for a job and careers

Culture: cultural traditions and comparisons

 

Pupils can continue with Languages for Life and Work into S4 (4 periods a week).

They will cover the following topics:

  • Languages for Life (French)
  • Languages for Work Purposes (French) 
  • Building your own Employability Skills (English) 

To achieve the award, learners must pass all 3 units. There is no final examination for this option.

SQA Info 

Languages in a nutshell 

S5/6

Pupils may study:

  • French (Higher, National 5)
  • Spanish (Higher, National 5)

In French and Spanish pupils will continue to develop their skills in reading, talking, listening and writing within four contexts (Society, Learning, Employability and Culture) and deepen their knowledge of the grammar of the language.  Higher pupils will also develop translation skills.

They will cover the following topics at Higher level:

Society: modern family, relationships, lifestyle choices, environmental issues

Learning:  school life and careers, future plans

Employability: applying for a job and careers

Culture: cultural traditions and comparisons

Homework

Homework in Languages comes in 2 forms: learning and written 

Learning homework

  • Pupils at all levels will have vocabulary booklets and sheets and they should apply themselves to vocabulary learning on a regular basis. A sound knowledge of vocabulary is the key to success in language learning and this homework should be done at least 3 times a week (learning new words and revising previous topics). This will prove invaluable when preparing for all assessments.
  • Pupils will also have writing pieces and talking pieces to learn at various points for assessments in these skills.

Written homework

  • S1/S2/S3 will have homework booklets with written tasks to complete as directed by the teacher. These can also be found on the website. 
  • S4/S5/S6 will have various written tasks to complete as directed by the teacher.

Extra Curricular

Ongoing support is offered to all students at all levels.

Staff are available at lunchtime if any pupil needs extra help with any area of their work.

After school supported study sessions are available for National 5 and Higher students. 

The department also delivers lessons during Easter school.

Staff visit local primaries. 

Calderside Academy celebrates European Day of Languages every year.

S1 Paris trip. 

Useful Links