GÀIDHLIG
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING
Higher
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listening, reading, talking and writing skills, as appropriate to
purpose and audience
understanding, analysing and evaluating detailed and complex
texts, as appropriate to purpose and audience in the contexts of
literature, language, media and culture
creating and producing detailed and complex texts, as
appropriate to purpose and audience in a wide range of contexts
using knowledge and understanding of language
using knowledge and understanding of Gaelic cultural heritage
and the cultural heritage of others
Advanced Higher
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listening, talking, reading and writing skills, as appropriate to purpose and
audience in a wide range of contexts
skills in understanding, analysing and evaluating a wide range of complex
literary texts, as appropriate to purpose and audience
skills in creating and producing a wide range of complex texts, as
appropriate to a range of purposes and audiences
translating skills from English to Gaelic, and from Gaelic to English
developing knowledge of Gaelic language, literature and culture
COURSE STRUCTURE
Higher
Course Structure: 2 Units and Course Assessment
Gàidhlig: Analysis and Evaluation
Gàidhlig: Creation and Production
Advanced Higher
Course Structure: 3 Units and Course Assessment
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Gàidhlig: Translating and Interpreting Skills
Gàidhlig: Writing and Literary Criticism Skills
Gàidhlig: Specialist Study of Language and/or Culture
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper: Reading for Understanding, Analysis
and Evaluation; Critical Reading and Writing
(50 marks)
Component 2 – question paper: Listening for Understanding,
Analysis and Evaluation (20 marks)
Component 3 – performance: Talking (30 marks)
Question Paper: Reading for Understanding, Analysis, and
Evaluation, and Critical Reading and Writing
Section 1, titled ‘Reading for analysis and evaluation’, will have 30
marks.
Advanced Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 — question paper: Practical Criticism (30 marks)
Component 2 — question paper: Literature and Writing (40 marks)
Component 3 — performance: Talking (30 marks)
Question Paper: Practical Criticism
This question paper will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the
following skills, knowledge and understanding:
Higher
Marks will be awarded for applying reading skills in understanding,
analysis and evaluation to one unseen text. Assessment will involve
answering questions to show these reading skills and completing a
task that involves inference making and summarising. The text will
be either fiction or non-fiction.
Section 2, titled ‘Critical Reading and Writing’, will have 20 marks.
Learners will apply their understanding, analysis and evaluation
skills to previously studied texts from the following contexts: drama,
prose, poetry, film and TV drama, or language, by writing one
critical essay. Two essay questions will be provided for each genre
and learners should select one.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted
in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by
SQA. Learners will complete this question paper in 1 hour and 40
minutes.
Question Paper: Listening for Understanding, Analysis, and
Evaluation
This question paper has one Section.
Marks will be awarded to learners for addressing the challenge of
applying their listening skills in understanding, analysis and
evaluation to a previously unheard, detailed and complex text of
spoken Gaelic. The text will be non-fiction.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted
in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by
SQA. Learners will complete this in 40 minutes.
Performance: Talking
This performance will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate
the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
 apply their talking skills in Gaelic in a discussion
 apply their knowledge and understanding of aspects of
Gaelic heritage and contemporary culture
This performance is set by centres within SQA guidelines and
conducted under a high degree of supervision and control. Evidence
will be internally marked by centre staff in line with SQA marking
instructions. Learners will complete this performance in
approximately ten minutes and under controlled conditions.
Advanced Higher
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the ability to apply critical reading skills
the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of appropriate literary
context, forms, genres and culture
Learners will read two written Gaelic texts. One text will be fiction and one
text will be non-fiction. They will respond to questions about the written
texts.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres
under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA. Learners will
complete this question paper in 90 minutes.
Question Paper: Literature and Writing
This question paper has two Sections.
Section 1: Literature
Learners write an essay on aspects of a literary text studied. Learners can use
a literary text drawn from drama, prose or poetry.
Section 2: Writing
Learners write an essay in Gaelic from a list of eight essay titles.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres
under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA. Learners will
complete this question paper in 90 minutes.
Performance: Talking
This performance will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the
following skills, knowledge and understanding:
 the ability to use complex and sophisticated spoken Gaelic as part of a
discussion
 the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of appropriate
literary context, forms, genres and culture
The performance will be set by centres within SQA guidelines. Visiting
Assessors appointed by SQA will carry out the assessment. Learners will
complete this performance in approximately 20 minutes and under controlled
conditions.