2. The Specialist Study Unit
Advanced Higher
Modern Languages
The Specialist Study Unit
The Portfolio
The Performance

3. Aims of the session
To examine in detail the Outcome and Assessment Standards of the Specialist Study Unit and how they might be met
To discuss the relationship between the SSU and the Portfolio
To discuss the conduct of the Performance element of the Course Assessment

4. Purpose of the Unit
To provide learners with the opportunity to develop and extend planning, research and analytical skills in order to undertake an independent specialist study based on literature or media or language in work

5. Outcome and Assessment Standards
Plan and research an independent specialist study, based on literature or media or language in work by:
1.1 Identifying an appropriate focus and creating a research plan
1.2 Selecting and analysing evidence

6. Assessment Standards
1.1 Identifying an appropriate focus and creating a research plan
An appropriate focus is one which allows for analysis. A simple recounting of facts is not sufficient.
A research plan should include information on the intended sources in the language studied, research methods and proposed timescales.

7. Assessment Standards 1.2 Selecting and analysing evidence
Relevant information selected from sources
Evidence analysed via a number of developed points
Conclusions may be drawn but are not necessary

8. Recording of evidence
Candidates may choose to use an electronic logbook or similar
Sample logbook available in Unit Assessment Support Packs (UASP), but not mandatory
Assessment of the Specialist Study may be combined with assessment of other Units
No set requirements for amount of evidence

9. Literature based study
At least two sources in the modern language, the first of which must be a written literary text
The second source may be another literary text or any other relevant source of information, eg a critique
Sources can be of any length - a novel, short story or a poem - but must contain sufficient material to allow for analysis

10. Literature based study – Possible approaches
Analyse techniques used to convey meaning
Analyse and compare a novel and a film adaptation
Analyse and compare two or more literary texts
Analyse how historical or cultural contexts are influenced or are evident in the literary text(s)

11. At least one of these two sources must be a written text.
Media based study
At least two sources in the modern language, the first of which must be a media text.
A media text is taken to mean content from cinema, radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, web-based or other digital media.
The second source may be another media text or any other relevant source of information, eg a critique, a novel.
At least one of these two sources must be a written text.

12. Media based study- Possible approaches
Analyse the techniques used to convey meaning in a media text
Analyse how nationality, class or gender is presented in a media text
Analyse and compare a film and a related novel
Analyse and compare two or more films by the same director – techniques, attitudes, characterisation
Analyse the ways in which historical or cultural contexts have influenced or are evident in a media text

13. Media based study- Possible approaches
At least two sources in the modern language
At least one of these sources must be a written text
The other may be a written text or any other relevant source of information
There is no limit on the number of sources to be used and any additional sources can be in any language.

14. Language based study- Possible approaches
Analyse the development of e-commerce and languages
Analyse the issues in working in a multilingual institution
Analyse opportunities for translators or interpreters
Analyse the opportunities for speakers of modern languages in a local industry

15. Recording the evidence
The log book in the Specialist Study Unit UASP is one way of recording evidence.
Let’s look at the template first…

16. Examples of uses for the logbook
Example use 1: literature based study
Example use 2: language in work based study
See documents Specialist Study Unit Example 1 and Example 2

17. Judging the evidence Outcome Assessment Standards
Making assessment judgements
Assessment information for candidates (Appendix 1): commentary on assessment judgements
1 Plan and research an independent specialist study, based on literature or media or language in work by:
1.1
Identifying an appropriate focus and creating a research plan
can communicate the aims/purpose(s) of the specialist study
can produce a research plan for carrying out the process of analysis/research using at least two different sources of information in the language of study. At least one of the two sources must be a written text.
The research plan must include:
intended sources of information
research methods
timescales for the proposed research and analysis
As appropriate to Task 1, the candidate decides on a focus for the specialist study and creates a research plan. The focus and research plan should allow for analysis and include clear aims/purposes, eg to analyse how multilingualism is viewed in X and Y organisations.
The research plan should include:
intended sources of information in the language of study, eg the novel studied and a biography of the writer, as well as any other intended sources
research methods, which indicate how the candidate plans to make use of the sources of information, eg read and compare newspaper articles relevant to the focus
proposed timescales, which need not be detailed but should be appropriate, realistic and manageable, to allow the candidate to manage the process of undertaking the specialist study. The candidate may set time/task-based deadlines, tutorial aims, weekly or monthly aims, or any other appropriate timescales. Timescales can be negotiated with the assessor.

18. Outcome
Assessment Standards
Making assessment judgements
Assessment information for candidates (Appendix 1): commentary on assessment judgements
1.2
Selecting and analysing evidence
can select relevant evidence from the chosen sources
can analyse this evidence as appropriate to the focus of the specialist study
Having created a focus and drawn up a research plan, the candidate, as appropriate to Task 2:
selects relevant information from these sources, eg the candidate synthesises general points or makes close specific reference to the sources
analyses evidence by making a number of developed points. These can be about information, techniques, themes, etc within texts, or within extracts from texts. Points can also be about relationships between and/or or implications of information, sources, ideas and so on, eg the candidate makes connections between a writer’s life experiences and the themes in his/her writing.
Points might include comments or conclusions which could be used as a basis for further development. A full set of conclusions about the study undertaken is not necessary.

19. The Portfolio –Cont’d 15% of the total marks for the Course
An analysis of literature, media or language in work within the context of the modern language
The teacher/lecturer will support the candidate to choose the focus, theme and title
In English, between 1,200 and 1,500 words, excluding quotations and bibliography
Externally marked by SQA
A penalty will be applied for exceeding the word count by more than 10%

20. The Portfolio
Each candidate should take the initiative in the planning, researching, management and completion of the task.
Centres may provide support but should not offer specific advice on how to re-phrase, improve responses or provide model answers.
Reasonable assistance may be given to a class or group or to individual candidates.

21. The Portfolio –Cont’d
There are no restrictions on the resources to which candidates may have access
Teachers/lecturers should put in place mechanisms to authenticate candidate evidence
The focus of the Portfolio will most probably, but not necessarily, be the same as for the Specialist Study Unit

22. The Performance 25% of the total marks for the Course
Conducted by a Visiting Assessor – lasts approximately 20 minutes
Covers themes or topics addressed in the Specialist Study Unit and at least one context from Society, Learning, Employability or Culture studied in the Understanding Language or Using Language Units
Assesses the ability to use complex and sophisticated language, to take part effectively in a conversation, to use language accurately and to maintain interaction