Why study Mandarin (Simplified)?

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

Transport and Distribution

Uniformed and Security Services

What do I need to get in?

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:

• Higher Mandarin (Simplified)

What will I study?

The course comprises three areas of study.

Understanding Mandarin (Simplified)

You will:

• develop and extend reading and listening skills in Mandarin
• develop your knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.

Using Mandarin (Simplified)

You will:

• develop and extend talking and writing skills in Mandarin
• develop your knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated Mandarin in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.

Specialist Study

You will:

• develop and extend planning, research and analytical skills in order to undertake an independent specialist study based on literature or media or language in work.

How will I be assessed?

Course Assessment

The course assessment consists of four components totalling 200 marks:

• Component 1 – Question paper: Reading and Translation (50 marks)
• Component 2 – Question paper: Listening and Discursive Writing (70 marks)
• Component 3 – Portfolio (30 marks)
• Component 4 – Performance: Talking (50 marks).

The performance – You will demonstrate your skills in Mandarin by talking about themes or topics related to the specialist study area and at least one context from Society, Learning, Employability or Culture studied in the Understanding Mandarin (simplified)  or Using Mandarin (simplified) areas, or in preparation of the portfolio.

The portfolio – You will produce a piece of writing in English of 1,200 – 1,500 words, based on your analysis of either a piece of literature or media or language in work within the context of Mandarin.

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.

Study Materials

SQA Past Papers Mandarin (simplified)  Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen Paper (Reading and Translation) Mandarin (simplified) Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen Paper (Listening and Discursive Writing) Mandarin (simplified) Advanced Higher

What can I go on to next?

Further study, training or employment in:

• Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
• Buying, Selling and Related Work
• Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
• Languages
• Teaching and Classroom Support