Introduction to Advanced Higher
Courses in Cantonese and Mandarin
7th May 2009
Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
Overview of the National Course
Reminder:
A Course Award (A/B/C/D) is made on the basis
of successful completion of both:
 Unit Assessments (internal assessment
conducted and marked by teacher/lecturer)
AND
 Course Assessment (the final external exam)
Introduction to Chinese Languages National Courses:
Qualifications Framework
National Course
SCQF
Advanced Higher
7
Higher
6
Intermediate 2
5
Intermediate 1
4
Access 3
3
Introduction to Advanced Higher : Units
Two Units are assessed at this level:
 Mandatory Language Unit (80 hours)
AND
 Optional Unit :
- Extended Reading and Viewing*
- Language in Work*
*Candidates choose one of these Optional Units (40
hours)
Internal Assessment
Mandatory Language Unit (80 hours):
 Speaking, Listening and Reading assessed
Optional Unit (40 hours):
 Writing assessed (Piece of Writing in Chinese
on a topic selected from either Optional Unit)
Internal Assessment: National
Assessment Bank (NAB)
 NAB assessment items will be available for the
Language Unit and the Optional Units
 The NABs indicate the standard of assessments
required at this level
 NABs can be downloaded by SQA coordinators
at www.sqa.org.uk/sqasecure
External Assessment :
Speaking Assessment
 In addition to the Unit Assessment of Speaking, candidates
participate in a test with a Visiting Examiner (VE)
 The VE is a specialist practitioner, appointed by SQA
 Centres should use the Unit assessment of Speaking as practice for
the VE test
 Candidates will discuss performance/receive feedback on Unit
Assessment before VE visit
Speaking Assessment (cont.)
 VE visits normally take place in Feb./March
 The test is a discussion of Themes/Topics
covered in the Language Unit and study
undertaken in the Optional Unit
 The test is worth 50 marks (25% of overall
external award)
External Assessment:
Advanced Higher Folio
 Candidates also complete a Folio during the
school year, which is submitted to SQA and
marked externally
 Content of Folio will depend on which Optional
Unit the candidate has chosen:
Advanced Higher Folio (cont.)
Extended Reading and Viewing:
 Two essays in English (max. 750 words)
 Based on one literary text in Chinese and either:
another literary text
or a set of linked texts
or a background topic
(max. 750 words)
Language in Work:
 One report in English (max. 1,500 words) :
analytical/informative piece of work based on area of
study in Optional Unit
External Examination
Paper I : Reading and Translation
 1 text of 900-1,100 characters
 Questions in English
 One section of the passage to be translated into English
 Word list provided
 Dictionary : yes
 OVERALL TIME FOR PAPER : 1hr. 30 mins.
External Assessment
Paper II : Listening and Discursive
Writing
Listening:
 Two distinct Listening Passages in Chinese (Part A &
Part B)
 Part A : one speaker delivering factual information
 Part B : follow-up discussion between two speakers
based on topic of Part A
 Questions in English
 Candidates hear both Part A and Part B TWICE
 Dictionary : yes
External Assessment
Paper II : Listening and Discursive Writing
Discursive Writing:
 Essay in Chinese of 300-400 characters
 Candidates selects one essay from selection of
5 essay titles
 5 essay titles cover the prescribed Themes for
Advanced Higher
OVERALL TIME FOR PAPER : 1hr. 45 mins.
Workshop Activities
 Activity 1 – Familiarisation with Language Unit
 Activity 2 – Specimen Question Paper and
construction of external examination
For more information visit
www.sqa.org.uk
Contact
Jim McDonald
Jim.mcdonald@sqa.org.uk
Any Questions?