What do I need to get in?
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have:
What will I study?
This course aims to help you develop your reading, listening, talking and writing skills in Spanish, in a variety of contexts. You will encounter a wide range of different types of texts in different media. In addition, the course also provides you with knowledge of Spain and the customs and way of life of the Spanish people.
The course consists of two areas of study.
Understanding Spanish
You will:
- develop and extend reading and listening skills in Spanish
- develop your knowledge and understanding of detailed and complex Spanish in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
Using Spanish
You will:
- develop and extend talking and writing skills in Spanish
- develop your knowledge and understanding of detailed and complex Spanish in the contexts of society, learning, employability, and culture.
How will I be assessed?
The course assessment has five components totalling 120 marks:
- Component 1: question paper 1 (reading) – worth 30 marks
- Component 2: question paper 1 (directed writing) – worth 20 marks
- Component 3: question paper 2 (listening) – worth 20 marks
- Component 4: assignment (writing) – worth 20 marks
- Component 5: performance (talking) – worth 30 marks.
For the assignment component, you will be required to produce a piece of writing (200-250 words) in Spanish based on one of the following contexts: society, learning, employability, culture.
For the performance component, you will take part in a discussion with your teacher or lecturer, using detailed and complex language on at least two different contexts, and respond to questions in Spanish relating to each of the contexts.
The performance component is set and verified externally by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and assessed and marked by your school or college.
Both the question papers and the assignment are set and externally marked by SQA.
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
Study Materials
- SQA Past Papers Spanish Higher
- SQA Specimen Paper (Reading) Spanish Higher
- SQA Specimen Paper (Directed Writing) Spanish Higher
- SQA Specimen Paper (Listening) Spanish Higher
- SQA Understanding Standards Spanish
- BBC Bitesize Spanish Higher
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
- Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
- Buying, Selling and Related Work
- Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
- Languages
- Teaching and Classroom Support
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell – Modern Languages (Higher)
