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Overview of qualifications in the languages curriculum area

Deciding which national qualifications to develop

The publication of this Overview is one of several steps in SQA’s process of developing new National Qualifications to support Curriculum for Excellence.

The Overview of Qualifications publications outline the list of subjects that fall within each curriculum area.

The list includes the names of the subjects and the levels at which qualifications will be developed. For example, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, at all their examining levels, would fall within the sciences curriculum area.

The publication also gives details of the scope of the curriculum area, skills, progression, and learning and teaching approaches. Qualifications will be developed in line with the broad vision set out in the Overview publication.

How the list of Courses has been decided

The decision on which subjects to include has been taken following extensive research and targeted engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Uptake levels for each existing subject have been considered, as well as the level and location at which the qualification is commonly studied. The list may include new subjects and some subjects may be rationalised or consolidated into a general Course.

Each Overview of Qualifications publication has been informed by the Progress Reports which have been published for each curriculum area.

The Progress Reports summarise the findings and conclusions of SQA’s research and engagement with stakeholders and give recommendations on the scope, skills and issues within each curriculum area.

Next steps

Our Qualifications Design Teams (QDTs) will take forward the recommendations into the design of qualifications for each subject listed in the Overview publication. A QDT will be set up for each subject.

A feedback facility is available on our website for you to give your thoughts and comments on the development. To keep up-to-date with the latest Curriculum for Excellence news and reports, you can sign up for MyAlerts which provides notification of updates to our web pages at www.sqa.org.uk/HaveYourSay.

Suite of Courses

View the Suite of Courses that has been decided for the Languages curriculum area. These Courses have been decided following extensive research and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Read the Overview

girls studying languages The information in this document covers the broad subject areas of:

Latin
English
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Gaelic (Learners)
Gàidhlig
Media
Modern Languages

Overview of qualifications in the languages curriculum area (437 KB)

We still need your feedback. You can comment on the Overview by using our feedback form at ‘have your say’.

A note about Literacy and Numeracy

The information in this report takes account of previous development work on portfolio-based Literacy and Numeracy qualifications. On 30 March 2010, the Cabinet Secretary proposed a new approach, based on incorporating literacy and numeracy within English and Mathematics Courses at SCQF levels 3 to 5. At its meeting on 16 June 2010, the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board agreed an approach to achieving this.

The S3 profile will provide a record of the literacy and numeracy skills learners have developed across the 3-15 curriculum.
Units in literacy and numeracy will be made available at SCQF levels 3, 4 and 5.
At SCQF levels 3 and 4, these Units will be designed to form part of English and Mathematics Courses.
At SCQF level 5 some, but not all, literacy and numeracy skills will be included within English and Mathematics Courses. As a result, these skills will not be separately certificated by SQA based on these Courses. For those who require full certification in literacy and numeracy, freestanding Units at SCQF level 5 will be available.
Units will be flexible and inclusive allowing centres to choose the timing and means of delivery and assessment throughout the senior phase. The Units will also be available to adult learners.
In the senior phase and beyond, learners at all stages, in any type of centre or learning programme, will be able to gain recognition of the literacy and numeracy skills they have developed.

SQA will take forward more detailed work on this approach, working closely with stakeholders, and this will be further considered by the CfE Management Board as the work progresses.