Advanced Higher Modern Languages
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.
Past Papers and Marking Instructions (31/08/2023)
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).
Cantonese
- Advanced Higher Cantonese Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher Cantonese Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher Cantonese Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
French
- Advanced Higher French Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
June 2020 - Advanced Higher French Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher French Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
Gaelic (Learners)
- Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
German
- Advanced Higher German Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher German Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher German Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
Italian
- Advanced Higher Italian Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher Italian Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher Italian Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
Mandarin
- Advanced Higher Mandarin (Simplified) Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher Mandarin (Traditional) Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher Mandarin (Simplified) Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher Mandarin (Traditional) Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher Mandarin Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
Spanish
- Advanced Higher Spanish Reading and Translation Specimen Question Paper
August 2019 - Advanced Higher Spanish Listening and Discursive Writing Specimen Question Paper
August 2023 - Advanced Higher Spanish Listening and Discursive Writing (Recording) Specimen Question Paper
August 2019
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
Cantonese
Advanced Higher Cantonese question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese listening audio (17.37 MB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Cantonese reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)
French
Advanced Higher French question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher French question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)
Advanced Higher French listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher French 25% listening audio (15.66 MB)
Advanced Higher French listening audio (20.36 MB)
Advanced Higher French listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher French reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)
Gaelic (Learners)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) question paper - listening and discursive writing (239 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) question paper - reading and translation (677 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) listening transcript (199 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) listening audio (17.14 MB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) marking instructions - listening and discursive writing (132 KB)
Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) marking instructions - reading and translation (140 KB)
German
Advanced Higher German question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher German question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)
Advanced Higher German listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher German listening audio (22.56 MB)
Advanced Higher German listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher German reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)
Italian
Advanced Higher Italian question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Italian question paper - reading and translation (211 KB)
Advanced Higher Italian listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher Italian listening audio (13.39 MB)
Advanced Higher Italian listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Italian reading and translation marking instructions (180 KB)
Mandarin
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified listening transcript (263 KB) (270 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin listening audio (21.63 MB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Mandarin-Simplified reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)
Spanish
Advanced Higher Spanish question paper - listening and discursive writing (212 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish question paper - reading and translation (334 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish listening transcript (270 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish 25% listening audio (16.83 MB)
Advanced Higher Spanish listening audio (16.56 MB)
Advanced Higher Spanish listening and discursive writing marking instructions (131 KB)
Advanced Higher Spanish reading and translation marking instructions (136 KB)
Coursework (14/10/2024)
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.
Course Assessment Task
- Coursework assessment task for Advanced Higher Modern Languages portfolio July 2019
- Coursework assessment task for Advanced Higher Modern Languages performance January 2020
Modern Languages: Advanced Higher Portfolio Flyleaf
From session 2024/25 we are introducing a flyleaf for the submission of the Modern Languages Advanced Higher portfolio. Candidates will use the flyleaf to submit hard copies of their portfolio essays to SQA. There is a separate flyleaf for each AH Modern Languages Course – Cantonese, French, Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Spanish. The flyleaf replaces all formats of the Portfolio booklet that were previously used. Centres receive hard copies of the flyleaf as stationery from SQA. You can download and print additional copies where required, at the links below.
Cantonese
French
Gaelic (Learners)
German
Italian
Mandarin
- Advanced Higher Mandarin Simplified portfolio writing answer booklet (for printing) October 2024
- Advanced Higher Mandarin Traditional portfolio writing answer booklet (for printing) October 2024
Spanish
Understanding Standards (19/06/2023)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
>Webinar (recordings)
Modern Languages webinar 18 January 2017 - part 1
- Download webinar part 1 (44.46 MB)
Modern Languages webinar 18 January 2017 - part 2
- Download webinar part 2 (43.19 MB)
- Modern Languages webinar 18 January 2017 - Q & A (103 KB)
- Modern Languages Presentation with audio 2021- Performance-talking (revised April 2023) (14.85 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
Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website.
Course reports (17/10/2023)
Course Reports
Chinese Languages
- 2023 Advanced Higher Chinese Languages Course Report September 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher Chinese Languages Course Report September 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher Chinese Languages Course Report October 2019
French
- 2023 Advanced Higher French Course Report October 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher French Course Report September 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher French Course Report October 2019
Gaelic (Learners)
- 2023 Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) Course Report September 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) Course Report October 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners) Course Report October 2019
German
- 2023 Advanced Higher German Course Report September 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher German Course Report October 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher German Course Report October 2019
Italian
- 2023 Advanced Higher Italian Course Report October 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher Italian Course Report October 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher Italian Course Report October 2019
Spanish
- 2023 Advanced Higher Spanish Course Report October 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher Spanish Course Report October 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher Spanish Course Report September 2019
Verification Reports
Course support (26/03/2024)
Assessment resources summary - Advanced Higher Modern Languages session 2023-2024 February 2024
Modern Languages Gathering Evidence March 2024
Modern Languages Gathering Evidence Transcript March 2024
Visiting Examining (23/10/2023)
Performance talking - Visiting assessment guidance for teachers and lecturers (134 KB)
Performance talking - How to complete an STL form in session 2023-24 (143 KB)
STL forms:
- Cantonese (45 KB)
- French (45 KB)
- Gaelic (Learners) (45 KB)
- German (45 KB)
- Italian (45 KB)
- Mandarin - Simplified (45 KB)
- Mandarin - Traditional (45 KB)
- Spanish (45 KB)
Advanced Higher Modern Languages performance-talking SQA Academy courses