2. Higher Modern Languages
Update
(November 2018)
Course Assessment
from session 2018/19

3. Welcome and Introduction
Lorna McMurray
Subject Implementation Manager
Maureen Andrew
Subject Implementation Manager

4. Aims of the Session
Review the published materials for Higher modern Languages – location and main contents (refer to handout)
To consider the difference between Higher and National 5 ‘assignment-writing’ coursework task and to consider an example of discursive writing
To consider initial thoughts on the Advanced Higher Modern Languages course

5. ‘Course Specification’ including ‘Course Support Notes’ as an appendix
Summary of publications Higher Modern Languages
‘Course Specification’ including ‘Course Support Notes’ as an appendix
- details of assessment conditions and marking instructions for assignment-writing
‘Coursework Assessment Task’ documents for assignment-writing and performance-talking (word format)
- example writing improvement code, exemplars of annotated writing and examples of assignment- writing stimuli

6. Summary of publications Higher Modern Languages
Webinar recording on changes to assessment in Higher Modern Languages from session 2018/19
‘Questions and answers’ document based on the Higher Modern Languages webinar
Both can be found on ‘CPD webinars and materials’ web page at

7. Directed Writing exemplars Assignment-writing exemplars
Understanding Standards publications Higher Modern Languages
Directed Writing exemplars
Assignment-writing exemplars
Both have commentaries and marked out of 20 against marking instructions. These are to be found at
Talking performances (Higher) exemplifying
discussion format. Exemplars for all Modern Languages have a commentary and are marked out of 30 against revised marking instructions. These are to be found on

8. Additional publications Higher Modern Languages
Specimen Question Papers (revised) for session 2018/19 for Higher, including the revised marking instructions for Directed Writing
Higher assignment-writing answer booklet
‘Guidance on conditions of assessment for coursework’
All of the above are available from the main Higher Modern Languages page at

9. Higher assignment-writing
Assessment conditions
One piece of writing worth 20 marks
piece of writing in the modern language as a
response to a stimulus in English
Maximum of two attempts (one draft, one final version)
Level of support defined in Course Specification
Produced over time in classroom

10. Higher assignment-writing
Assessment conditions
Focus on improvement of writing through
remediation and consolidation with feedback on
one occasion
Candidates do not work directly from a version corrected by centre staff or an electronic/online translation tool whereby the correct text in the
Modern Language is made available
No assignment submitted = 0/20 for assignment-writing does not mean ‘no award’
Internally set but externally assessed

11. Assignment-writing
What is different in Higher assignment-writing compared to National 5?
Candidates should aim to write discursively and draw a conclusion
Piece of writing of words ( Chinese characters)
Question/statement addressed and context of writing to be included in the answer booklet

12. Assignment-writing 2 types of discursive essay: balanced persuasive
Essay structure:
introduction
clear indication of position
first argument, with supporting evidence
second argument (and so on) with supporting evidence
conclusion

13. Assignment-writing clear structure write in paragraphs
avoid over-use of first person
use discursive language

14. Discursive language it has to be said that many people think similarly
on the one hand
obviously
it is clear that
firstly
in conclusion
according to
furthermore
however
for example
unless
without doubt
on the contrary
although
because
despite the fact that
since
finally
therefore
nevertheless

15. Assignment-writing Context: Society
To stay healthy nowadays, you must do sport on a daily basis. Do you agree?
Does sport play an important role in your life? You could discuss if there are sufficient sports facilities where you live.
Do young people do too much/not enough sport and if so, why?
Write words in >insert language< to express your ideas and opinions. Give reasons for your opinions and draw any appropriate conclusions.   (Refer to handout)

16. Advanced Higher Modern Languages
From session 2019/20
Removal of units – Understanding Language, Using Language, Specialist Study
No planned changes to question papers or coursework tasks
No change in overall marks

17. Advanced Higher Modern Languages
From session 2019/20
Component
Marks (200)
% of overall marks
1 Question paper 1
Reading and Translation
50 marks
Reading 30 marks
Translation 20 marks
25%
2 Question paper 2
Listening and Discursive Writing
70 marks
Listening 30 marks
Discursive Writing 40 marks
35%
3 Coursework
Portfolio
30 marks
15%
4 Coursework
Performance-talking