National 5 English
Course Start Date: August 2025
The National 5 English course focuses on developing key language skills essential for literacy and communication. It provides candidates with opportunities to enhance their abilities in reading, writing, talking, and listening, enabling them to understand, analyse, and evaluate texts across literature, language, and media. The course encourages critical thinking, creative expression, and an appreciation of cultural diversity, including Scotland’s literary heritage.
Course Aims
- Develop skills in reading, writing, talking, and listening for effective language use.
- Understand, analyse, and evaluate texts, including Scottish texts, across literature, language, and media.
- Create and produce texts appropriately for different purposes, audiences, and contexts.
- Apply knowledge and understanding of language to enhance communication.
- Develop analytical thinking and an understanding of the impact of language.
- Foster an appreciation of cultural diversity, including Scotland’s literary heritage.
- Build confidence in using detailed language with clarity and purpose in practical contexts.
Assessment
| Component | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Component 1: Question Paper 1: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation |
30 | 1 hour |
| Component 2: Question Paper 2: Critical Reading | 40 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Component 3: Portfolio-writing | 15 | 4 hours (1st draft) |
| Component 4: Performance–spoken language | A/NA |
- |
Required Course Materials
Set texts will be confirmed at time of enrolment.
Prerequisites
None
Course Fees
Each SQA course costs £995 per course which includes access to the additional diploma modules.