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 CourseSCQF Advanced Higher7 Higher6 Intermediate 25 Intermediate 14 Access 33

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

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 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

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