Why study Cantonese?

Learning a new language enables you to make connections with different people and their cultures. It also helps you to develop important skills in communication, critical thinking, as well as increasing your cultural awareness.

Cantonese is the most common language in Hong Kong and many parts of China. It has fewer non-native speakers than Mandarin, so those learning it have a significant advantage when visiting or doing business with Hong Kong or other Cantonese-speaking areas.

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?

Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have:

• National 5 Cantonese

What will I study?

The course consists of two areas of study.

Understanding Cantonese

You will:

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

Using Cantonese

You will:

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

How will I be assessed?

The course assessment has five components totalling 120 marks:

• Component 1: question paper 1 (reading) – worth 30 marks
• Component 2: question paper 1 (directed writing) – worth 20 marks 
• Component 3: question paper 2 (listening) – worth 20 marks
• Component 4: assignment (writing) – worth 20 marks
• Component 5: performance (talking) – worth 30 marks.

For the assignment component, you will be required to produce a piece of writing (200-250 words) in Cantonese 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 Cantonese 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.

Study Materials

• SQA Past Papers Cantonese Higher
• SQA Specimen Paper (Reading) Cantonese Higher
• SQA Specimen Paper (Directed Writing) Cantonese Higher
• SQA Specimen Paper (Listening) Cantonese Higher

What can I go on to next?

If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:

• Advanced Higher Cantonese

Further study, training or employment in:

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

Where can my parents find out more?

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):

Nationals in a Nutshell - Modern Languages (Higher)