Learning a new language lets you connect with different people and their cultures. You think, talk about and create ideas through language.
Almost 100 million people around the world speak Urdu, which is the main language of Pakistan. And, it is widely spoken in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Middle East. Some 400 thousand people in the UK speak Urdu. Urdu uses the Arabic alphabet, the second most used alphabet in the world. So, you will find learning Urdu really helpful if you want to learn languages like Hindi, Arabic, Persian, Kurdish or Punjabi.
The skills you develop in Urdu are useful in many different career areas such as languages, teaching and classroom support, travel or media.
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 Urdu, 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 Urdu and the customs and way of life of the Urdu people.
In particular you will learn to develop:
Please note - for the 2022-23 session there is no assignment, only the 4 components.
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 Urdu 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 Urdu 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.
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):
