2. Understanding Standards:
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Higher
An Overview of Course Assessment

3. What this presentation covers
an overview of the revised course assessment for Higher ESOL
information on what has changed and what is unchanged
detailed information on the question paper components
detailed information on the ESOL performance: speaking and listening component
general guidance on preparing candidates for assessment

4. An overview of what is unchanged
aims and rationale
course content
the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking
contexts of everyday life, work and study
components – question papers for listening, reading and writing and the ESOL performance: speaking and listening
the aspects of language that marks are awarded for and the general marking instructions

5. An overview of what is changed
each of the listening, reading, and writing components has a separate question paper
each of the question papers has been strengthened and the marks awarded for each increased
the time allocated for each question paper has also been increased
for the ESOL performance: speaking and listening all candidates will be given an assessment brief

6. Component Marks Scaled Marks Duration
Component 1: question paper: Listening  25 20
45 minutes 
Component 2: question paper: Reading  35
1 hour 10 minutes
Component 3: question paper: Writing  30
1 hour 40 minutes 
Component 4: performance: Speaking and Listening 
15 minutes individual preparation
8 – 10 minute paired conversation

7. Question Paper 1: Listening
three recordings on different topics from the contexts of everyday life, work and study
one monologue and two spoken interactions, each heard twice
questions worth 25 marks in total will be divided across the three texts
marks awarded for identifying specific information, showing awareness of context, opinions or attitudes and key aspects of detail 
candidates have approximately 45 minutes to complete the question paper

8. Listening: preparing candidates
Candidates should have the opportunity to:
listen to recordings of spoken interactions and monologues on a wide variety of topics in the contexts of everyday life, work and study
become familiar with the different types of questions used and the instructions on how to answer them
listen to recordings twice with little or no context or explanation given prior to listening and answer questions
listen to a variety of different voices and accents

9. Question Paper 2: Reading
three reading texts on different topics from the contexts of everyday life, work and study
questions worth 35 marks in total will be divided across the three texts
marks awarded for identifying specific information, showing awareness of features of text, opinions or attitudes and key aspects of detail 
candidates have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the question paper

10. Reading: preparing candidates
Candidates should have the opportunity to:
read texts on a wide variety of topics in the contexts of everyday life, work and study
become familiar with the different types of questions used and the instructions on how to answer them
read texts on unfamiliar topics
answer questions on a variety of texts without using a dictionary
read three different texts and answer similar question types within the time limit of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

11. Question Paper 3: Writing
Candidates will respond to two writing tasks:
all candidates will do the everyday life task
candidates choose either the work or study task
awarded a maximum of 15 marks for each – a total of 30 potential marks available for writing
the everyday life task could be an , social media posting, blog or article
the work task will be a report
the study task will be an essay

12. Writing: preparing candidates
Candidates should have the opportunity to:
respond to a variety of tasks on topics related to everyday life, work or/and study tasks
read and analyse what is required in similar tasks
become familiar with the marking criteria that will be applied
spend time on planning and structuring their response before writing
practise writing responses to similar tasks with time limits and without a dictionary
understand the importance of checking their writing
receive detailed feedback on their writing

13. Performance: speaking and listening
25 marks awarded for speaking and 5 marks awarded for listening – 30 marks in total
a discussion of 8 – 10 minutes (or slightly longer if in a group of three) from everyday life or work or study contexts
with one other candidate, peer or the assessor or in a group of no more than three
on a topic agreed with the candidate prior to the assessment taking place
in response to a prepared assessment brief given to candidates at the start of the assessment
15 minutes individual preparation time

14. Performance: speaking and listening
set by centres within SQA guidelines and conducted under a high degree of supervision and control
internally marked in line with SQA marking instructions and marks submitted to SQA
externally verified in line with SQA quality assurance procedures
the assessment brief should clearly state the task and timings and provide some limited support for candidates in bullet points
a recording of the discussion should be retained by the centre along with the assessment brief

15. Performance: preparing candidates
Candidates should have the opportunity to:
practise conversations and discussions on a variety of topics from everyday life, work and study-related contexts
become comfortable being recorded and recording themselves
become familiar with content of assessment briefs on different topics
make effective use of the preparation time
be familiar with the six aspects of speaking and listening that will be assessed and use these to evaluate their own interactions

16. Performance: preparing candidates
Candidates should:
practise different discussions with the same partner or group of three in preparation for the assessment
understand that the quality of the interaction is important and that dominating the discussion is not appropriate
listen carefully, respond to and explore and expand on points made by their partner to show understanding and develop the discussion
attempt to make the discussion as natural and flowing as possible

17. Useful resources Higher Course specification and support notes
Specimen and past papers
Course Reports
Subject Updates
Understanding Standards material for the writing question paper and the performance: speaking and listening