Learning a new language allows you to connect with different people and their cultures. You think, communicate and create ideas through language.
Mandarin is the national language in China and Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world. China is also the second largest economy in the world. So, learning Mandarin gives you a distinct advantage when travelling or doing business with China or other Mandarin-speaking areas.
The skills that you learn in Mandarin are useful for working in areas such as business and commerce, travel and tourism and teaching.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
Information, Culture and Heritage
Uniformed and Security Services
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have:
This course aims to help you develop your reading, listening, talking and writing skills in Mandarin, 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 China and the customs and way of life of the Chinese people.
In particular you will learn to develop:
The course assessment has five components totalling 120 marks:
For the assignment component, you will be required to produce a piece of writing (200-250 words) in Mandarin 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 Mandarin 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.
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
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):
