IGCSE English Language (English as a 1st Language)

Board:

Cambridge International Examinations

Course code:

0500

Duration:

2 years

Aims of the course:
  • To enable students to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in speech and writing;
  • To enable students to understand and respond appropriately to what they hear, read and experience;
  • To encourage students to enjoy and appreciate a variety of language;
  • To complement students’ other areas of study by developing skills of a more general application (e.g. analysis, synthesis, drawing of inferences);
  • To promote students’ personal development and an understanding of themselves and others.

Levels available:

Core (grades ‘C’ to ‘G’) or extended (grades ‘A*’ to ‘E’)

Topics covered:

Writing for different purposes; understanding writers’ craft; developing oral skills through topical debates

Assessed:

By examination, at the end of the 2 year course and coursework

Assessment details:

CORE
Paper 1
1hr 45 mins
50%

EXTENDED
Paper 2
2 hrs
50%

 

The students will be asked to read a range of passages and through their written answers will demonstrate their Reading comprehension.

 

Paper 4 (Both core and extended – coursework)
50%
Students submit a portfolio of work consisting of three assignments:

Assignment 1: informative, analytical and / or argumentative

Assignment 2: imaginative, descriptive and / or narrative

Assignment 3: a response to a text chosen by the teacher

Each assignment must be between 500 and 800 words long.

Leads to:

It is the key qualification for entry into UK universities and allows students to develop their written, oral and reading skills.

 

P1280051