Higher ESOL
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.
- Higher ESOL Course Specification
November 2019
2022 revision support for learners (Mar 2022)
We have updated this document to provide information on the modifications made to course assessments (coursework and exams) at the start of academic year 2021-22.
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Specimen Question Papers
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- Higher ESOL Reading Specimen Question Paper
May 2018 - Higher ESOL Writing Specimen Question Paper
May 2018 - Higher ESOL Listening Specimen Question Paper
May 2018 - Higher ESOL Listening (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
May 2018
Coursework
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.
For information on marks scaling please see related information.
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards (Feb 2022)
Additional resources session 2021-22
New – new materials not previously published
Updated – published in 2020/21 but amended for 2021/22
Carried forward – published in 2020/21 carried forward to 2021/22
- New - Webinar recording with candidate evidence and commentaries for National 5 and Higher Performance can be found on SQA's secure website, you can access these via your SQA co-ordinator.
- New - Webinar candidate evidence and commentaries
- Carried forward - Video recording: ESOL Performance Speaking and Writing (this recording can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access via your SQA co-ordinator.). Before viewing the recording, you will need the marking instructions for writing and performance speaking and listening. The writing scripts and commentaries for candidate 1 (Everyday life), candidate 2 (Study) and candidate 3 (Study) from the link below. It will also be useful if you have the speaking and listening commentaries (pdf files) for candidates A&B and C&D from the secure site.
- Carried forward - Speaking evidence (video) and commentaries (these recordings can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access via your SQA co-ordinator.)
- Carried forward - Question paper (writing) candidate evidence and commentaries.
New - Webinar recording - Question Paper - Writing - Jan 2022
- Download webinar (236.49 MB)
Carried forward - Assessing ESOL online Webinar recording
- Download webinar (182.73 MB)
Please note: For session 2021-22 there are modifications to this course. Understanding Standards materials should therefore be viewed along with the National Course modification summary available in the Course information 2021-22 section.
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
More examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA¿s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
ESOL course assessment overview
Video overview of course assessment from session 2018-19
- Download webinar (112.63 MB)
- Video overview Q&A (17 KB)
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports
Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.
Course Reports
- 2016 Higher ESOL Course Report September 2016
- 2017 Higher ESOL Course Report October 2017
- 2019 Higher ESOL Course Report October 2019
- 2018 Higher ESOL Course Report October 2018
- ESOL: Quality Assurance - external verification
2021 Key Messages
The Alternative Certification Model included a national quality assurance activity, carried out in May 2021.
This report provides information on any common themes and key points from the evidence submitted.
Verification Reports
In 2019, a single qualification verification summary report replaced the verification key messages.
CPD
Additional CPD support
Where any particular areas of concern are identified, which are not addressed by our Understanding Standards events or support materials, we will offer free continuing professional development (CPD) training, subject to request. CPD support is subject-specific and can be tailored to cover one or more qualification level. To find out more about this service visit our CPD page.
Support materials
Higher Learning Support Material
Online resources ¿ practice assessments
These materials are intended to support ESOL candidates in improving their skills in reading, listening, speaking and writing. (You are required to have Flash version 12 or above installed to run these assessments).
SQA Academy
Learning support materials and online learning resources
Verification
Evidence for external verification of internally-assessed components of course assessments
Ushare open learning resources
Related Information
Contact Information
- Candidate Enquiries
- General Enquiries
- 0345 279 1000
- Centre Enquiries
- 0303 333 0330