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?

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

• Higher Cantonese

What will I study?

The course comprises three areas of study.

Understanding Cantonese

You will:

• develop and extend reading and listening skills in Cantonese
• develop your knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated 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 complex and sophisticated Cantonese 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 Cantonese 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 Cantonese or Using Cantonese 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 Cantonese.

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 Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen Paper (Reading and Translating) Cantonese Advanced Higher

What can I go on to next?

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