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
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).
- 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
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
Higher ESOL question paper - listening (212 KB)
Higher ESOL question paper - reading (334 KB)
Higher ESOL question paper - writing (260 KB)
Higher ESOL listening transcript (270 KB)
Higher 25% listening audio (25.78 MB)Higher ESOL listening audio (22.87 MB)
Higher ESOL listening marking instructions (131 KB)
Higher ESOL reading marking instructions (136 KB)
Higher 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 (13/06/2023)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further Understanding Standards materials for this subject can be found on SQA’s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
Course assessment overview
Webinar (recording): course assessment from session 2022-2023
Webinar (recording): Overview of course assessment from session 2018-19
- Download webinar (112.63 MB)
- Video overview Q&A (17 KB)
Webinar (recording): Question Paper (writing) - January 2022
- Download webinar (236.49 MB)
Webinar (recording): Assessing ESOL online
- Download webinar (182.73 MB)
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Additional Resources session 2020-22
Please note: Additional resources published during sessions 2020-2022 are currently under review. Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website
Course reports (19/09/2023)
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
- 2023 Higher ESOL Course Report September 2023
- 2022 Higher ESOL Course Report September 2022
- 2019 Higher ESOL Course Report October 2019
- 2018 Higher ESOL Course Report October 2018
- 2017 Higher ESOL Course Report October 2017
Verification Reports
In 2019, a single qualification verification summary report replaced the verification key messages.
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 need Flash version 12 or above 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
- Who is ESOL for? (29 KB)
- National 2 and National 3 ESOL units: quick guide to assessment arrangements
- National 5 and Higher ESOL scaling table (117 KB)
- CEFR levels of SQA ESOL qualifications
- SQA ESOL qualifications overview (659 KB)
- NQs - notification of changes to documents
- ESOL Higher National units
- PDA Introduction to Tutoring English to Speakers of Other Languages (ITESOL)
- PDA Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL at SCQF level 10
Contact Information
- Candidate Enquiries
- General Enquiries
- 0345 279 1000
- Centre Enquiries
- 0303 333 0330