Bienvenue! Wilkommen! ¡Bienvenidos!

Here in the Modern Languages Department, we teach French, German and Spanish.  Nearly all pupils from S1 – S4 study at least one of the above languages and several pupils study two!

• S1 & S2

Our S1 and S2 courses are currently being altered and audited in line with Curriculum for Excellence.  Currently, all pupils study French. We base our course upon the “Equipe” course books.  Topics studied include Personal Information, Family, School, Free time; Clothes, Health, TV & Cinema, & Holidays.  Pupils are exposed to the four skill areas of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. 

• S3 & S4

During the course choice selection period in S2, pupils decide which language or languages they would like to study.  They have a free choice from the following menu:

Continue with French

Start German or Spanish

Do French and German or French and Spanish

The examinations we present for in S4 are not Standard Grade.  We present at Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2.  These exams are the equivalent of Standard Grade General and Standard Grade Credit level.

Pupils must pass internal assessments (called NABs) in each of the 4 skill areas.  These internal assessments are carried out in class during the course of S3 and S4.

• S5 & 6

Highers are offered in all three languages and recently the department offered Advanced Higher in French and German for the first time.  Pupils who enjoy language learning and achieved an Intermediate 1 pass in S4 can also continue with their chosen language at Intermediate 2 level.  Some pupils start a new language from scratch and are presented for Intermediate 2.  Like S3 and S4, there are internal assessments (NABs) to be passed in all 4 skill areas at each of the different levels on offer.

These courses are aimed at deepening the pupil’s knowledge of their chosen language(s) and giving them a high level of communicative competence.

Achieving a Higher pass in a Modern Language is a valuable skill for university entry for a great many courses and is, of course, a very valuable life skill.

¿Qué hacemos?

Members of the department are involved in many areas of the wider life of the school.  School Shows and Concerts are well supported by the Modern Languages Staff ~ both behind the scenes and starring on stage!  Trips abroad are offered ~ the department runs a very successful and long-standing exchange programme with a school in Neumarkt in Bavaria in Germany and members of the department have participated in and organised trips to Paris, Barcelona, Florence, Milan and Rome.  Check out the International Education Section for more details about the international life of Hermitage Academy!

We are also keen to be involved with issues not always directly linked to our subject area.  Members of staff from the Modern Languages Dept are involved in groups and committees in all sorts of areas of the school ~ The New Teachers’ Group, The Interdisciplinary Group & The Numeracy Group to name but a few.

Links with Primaries

The Modern Languages Dept is very proud of its close links with all our associated primary schools.  Our links and style of liaison have been held up as a model of good practice by HMIe.  We link with our primary colleagues in two ways.  For those members of staff in the primary sector delivering French there is a Support Group.  This group meets regularly each term and is led by Miss Murray and Mrs Burch. Both Miss Murray and Mrs Burch have visited several primary schools in the area and helped to deliver lessons with P6 and P7 classes as well as supporting our primary colleagues.  Mr Urquhart and Mr Urie are both members of the Steering Group which has overall responsibility for the delivery of French in all primary schools in the HALCO area.  This group meets on average twice a year and also counts as members two primary Head Teachers and a primary Principal Teacher.

Members of staff in the Modern Languages Dept

Mr G Urquhart Principal Teacher:  French & Spanish

Mrs J MacEwan Principal Teacher (Guidance): French & German

Mrs E Milcent:  French & German

Mrs E Menzies:  French & German

Mrs G Burch:  French & German

Miss S Murray:  French & Spanish