Introduction to Advanced Higher Courses in Cantonese and Mandarin 7th May 2009 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow.

Introduction to Advanced Higher Courses in Cantonese and Mandarin

Introduction to Advanced Higher Courses in Cantonese and Mandarin

7th May 2009Radisson Hotel, Glasgow

Overview of the National CourseReminder:Overview of the National CourseReminder:

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 : UnitsIntroduction 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 AssessmentInternal 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)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 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.)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 FolioExternal 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.)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 ExaminationPaper I : Reading and TranslationExternal ExaminationPaper 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 AssessmentPaper II : Listening and Discursive Writing

External AssessmentPaper 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 AssessmentPaper II : Listening and Discursive WritingExternal AssessmentPaper 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 ActivitiesWorkshop 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

[email protected]

Any Questions?