Advanced Higher Modern Languages

Course Specification

Explains the structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.

Past Papers and Marking Instructions (31/08/2023)

Access all past papers by subject/level

Additional question papers resources

Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).

Cantonese

French

Gaelic (Learners)

German

Italian

Mandarin

Spanish

2021

There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21

Cantonese

Advanced Higher Cantonese question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)

Advanced Higher Cantonese listening transcript (270 KB)

Advanced Higher Cantonese listening audio (17.37 MB)

Advanced Higher Cantonese listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)

French

Advanced Higher French question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher French question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)

Advanced Higher French listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher French 25% listening audio (15.66 MB)

Advanced Higher French listening audio (20.36 MB)

Advanced Higher French listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher French reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)

Gaelic (Learners)

Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) question paper - listening and discursive writing (239 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) question paper - reading and translation (677 KB)

Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) listening transcript (199 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) listening audio (17.14 MB)

Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) marking instructions - listening and discursive writing (132 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) marking instructions - reading and translation (140 KB)

German

Advanced Higher German question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher German question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)

Advanced Higher German listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher German listening audio (22.56 MB)

Advanced Higher German listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher German reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)

Italian

Advanced Higher Italian question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Italian question paper - reading and translation (211 KB)

Advanced Higher Italian listening transcript (270 KB)

Advanced Higher Italian listening audio (13.39 MB)

Advanced Higher Italian listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Italian reading and translation marking instructions (180 KB)

Mandarin

Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)

Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified listening transcript (263 KB) (270 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin listening audio (21.63 MB)

Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)

Spanish

Advanced Higher Spanish question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)

Advanced Higher Spanish listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish 25% listening audio  (16.83 MB)

Advanced Higher Spanish listening audio (16.56 MB)

Advanced Higher Spanish listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)

Coursework (23/10/2024)

This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.

Course Assessment Task

Modern Languages: Advanced Higher Portfolio Flyleaf

From session 2024/25 we are introducing a flyleaf for the submission of the Modern Languages Advanced Higher portfolio. Candidates will use the flyleaf to submit hard copies of their portfolio essays to SQA. There is a separate flyleaf for each AH Modern Languages Course – Cantonese, French, Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Spanish. The flyleaf replaces all formats of the Portfolio booklet that were previously used. Centres receive hard copies of the flyleaf as stationery from SQA. You can download and print additional copies where required, at the links below.

Cantonese

French

Gaelic (Learners)

German

Italian

Mandarin

Spanish

Understanding Standards (19/06/2023)

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.

>Webinar (recordings)

Modern Languages webinar 18 January 2017 - part 1

Modern Languages webinar 18 January 2017 - part 2

Changes to Understanding Standards materials

Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

Additional Resources session 2020-22

Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website.

Course reports (01/11/2024)

Course Reports

Chinese Languages

French

Gaelic (Learners)

German

Italian

Spanish

Verification Reports

Course support (26/03/2024)

Visiting Examining (18/10/2024)

Ushare open learning resources