National 5 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.
- N5 ESOL Course Specification November 2019
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
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).
Specimen Question Papers
- ESOL: Reading Specimen Question Paper National 5
- ESOL: Listening Specimen Question Paper National 5
- ESOL: Listening Audio(Recording)Specimen Question Paper National 5
- ESOL: Writing Specimen Question Paper National 5
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
National 5 ESOL question paper - listening (212 KB)
National 5 ESOL question paper - reading (334 KB)
National 5 ESOL question paper - writing (260 KB)
National 5 ESOL listening transcript (270 KB)
National 5 2022 25 Percent Listening Audio File (26.31 MB)
National 5 ESOL listening audio (23.26 MB)
National 5 ESOL listening marking instructions (131 KB)
National 5 ESOL reading marking instructions (136 KB)
National 5 ESOL writing marking instructions (125 KB)
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 (10/02/2025)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further Understanding Standards materials including webinar recordings for this subject can be found on SQA’s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
Webinar (recordings)
Question Paper (writing) course assessment from session 2023-2024
Course Assessment from session 2022-2023
Question Paper (writing) January 2022
- Download webinar (236.49 MB)
- Webinar Commentaries (703 KB)
- Webinar Candidate evidence 1 (650 KB)
- Webinar Candidate evidence 2 (657 KB)
- Webinar Candidate evidence 3 (1.22 MB)
Assessing ESOL online 2020-2021
- Download webinar(182.73 MB)
Audio Presentation
- Overview of course assessment(24 minutes)
Changes to Understanding Standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports (30/06/2025)
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
- 2024 National 5 ESOL course report September 2024
- 2023 National 5 ESOL course report September 2023
- 2022 National 5 ESOL course report September 2022
Verification Reports
Qualification Verification Summary Reports share messages from verification activity.