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Year 10
AQA

High and low level languages

I can explain the differences between low-level and high-level programming languages and how they interact with hardware

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

High and low level languages

I can explain the differences between low-level and high-level programming languages and how they interact with hardware

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Computers run programs and code exactly as it is written.
  2. Low-level languages provide direct control over hardware.
  3. High-level languages use abstraction to make programming more human-readable.

Keywords

  • Low-level language - programming languages that require the programmer to use terms that are aligned to the operations of a specific machine

  • High-level language - a human-readable language written in formal, structured English

  • Compilers - a compiler creates an executable file for a program by translating a high-level language to machine-readable code

  • Interpreters - an interpreter translates and executes code line by line, then translates it into machine-readable code

Common misconception

High-level languages are always better than low-level languages because they are easier to use.

High-level languages are generally easier to learn and use. However, low-level languages offer more direct control over the computer's hardware, which can be essential for certain tasks like writing operating systems or device drivers.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: High and low level languages, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Connect the concepts of high-level and low-level languages to real-world applications. High-level languages are used to create everyday software like web browsers, while low-level languages are used to develop the operating systems and hardware drivers that make those applications possible.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When following a recipe, why is it important to follow the steps in order?
Correct answer: to ensure the result matches the recipe
to save time
to avoid cleaning up
Q2.
What is the purpose of a translator in real life?
to make someone’s voice louder
to change the meaning of words
to write new instructions
Correct answer: To convert one language into another
Q3.
What happens if you give vague instructions to a robot?
It will do exactly what you meant.
It will guess the correct action.
Correct answer: It will do something unexpected.
It will ask for clarification.
Q4.
Why is it easier to read a book written in plain English rather than one in a foreign language?
Correct answer: Plain English uses words you understand.
Foreign languages are harder to print.
Foreign languages are longer.
Plain English is larger.
Q5.
What is a set of ordered commands that a computer can run to complete a task?
Correct Answer: program, code
Q6.
What system do computers use to store and process all data and instructions?
Correct Answer: binary, base-2

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a key characteristic of low-level programming languages?
They use abstraction to simplify programming.
Correct answer: They provide direct control over hardware.
They are easy to learn and use.
They are machine-independent.
Q2.
What is one reason to use a high-level programming language?
It is written in binary.
It provides direct access to hardware.
Correct answer: It is easier for humans to read and write.
It is machine-dependent.
Q3.
Which type of language is most likely used to write an operating system?
high-level language
Correct answer: low-level language
interpreted language
scripting language
Q4.
What is the purpose of a compiler?
to execute code line by line
to debug programs automatically
to rewrite low-level code into high-level code
Correct answer: to translate high-level code into machine-readable code
Q5.
What does an interpreter do?
Correct answer: translates code into machine-readable code line by line
converts code into an executable file
rewrites low-level code into high-level code
controls hardware directly
Q6.
Why might a programmer choose a low-level language over a high-level language?
to complete tasks faster
Correct answer: to have more control over hardware
to make the program easier to debug
to make the program easier to read