IGCSE ESL-0510

Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language allows  and encourages learners to : 

• develop skills for understanding and communicating in a range of situations in English. These skills include the ability to understand written and spoken texts, and selecting relevant information from them. This information may be directly stated or implied. 

• develop the linguistic skills required for progression to further studies or employment through being able to communicate clearly in writing and speaking, on both familiar and less familiar topics.

•  become confident, using a range of language to communicate ideas and information effectively in writing and speaking

• become responsible, seeking opportunities to use and develop their language skills

•  become reflective, considering different opinions and information in written or spoken form, and responding to them appropriately 

•  be innovative, using language creatively to express ideas and information

•  be engaged, developing different learning strategies and using their language skills in a range

Aims

The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.

The aims are to:

• develop learners’ ability to use English effectively for the purpose of practical communication

• develop learners’ awareness of the nature of language and language-learning skills

• develop transferable skills to complement other areas of the curriculum

• promote learners’ personal development and enjoyment.

Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language offers learners the opportunity to develop practical communication skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Learners will be presented with a variety of texts that will build up their skills in reading and writing. They will learn to select relevant details, understand the difference between what is directly stated and implied, and practise writing for different purposes and audiences.

Learners will listen to a range of spoken material, including talks and conversations, to develop listening skills. Learners will engage in conversations on a variety of topics and develop their skills in responding to different situations and audiences with a degree of accuracy and clarity.

Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language will enable learners to become independent users of English both to support further study and to communicate effectively in a variety of practical contexts.

All candidates take three components. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.

All candidates take: 

Paper 1              2 hours

Reading and Writing 70%

60 marks

Candidates respond to six exercises: four reading  and two writing

Structured and essay style questions

Externally assessed

Paper 2        Approximately 50 minutes

Listening 30%

40 marks

Candidates listen to five exercises of short and longer texts

Multiple-choice style questions

Externally assessed

Candidates must also take:

Paper 3      Approximately 10–15 minutes

Speaking       Separately endorsed

40 marks

Candidates take part in an interview, short talk and discussion

Internally assessed and externally moderated

Marks for the Speaking component do not contribute to the overall grade candidates receive for the written components. Instead, where candidates perform to an appropriate standard, certificates record separately the achievements of candidates, with grades 1 (high) to 5 (low) for speaking.

The assessment objectives (AOs) are:

AO1 Reading

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

R1 . demonstrate understanding of specific factual information

R2 . demonstrate understanding of the connections between the ideas, opinions and attitudes

R3 . identify and select details for a specific purpose

R4 . demonstrate understanding of implied meaning

AO2 Writing

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

W1. communicate information, ideas and opinions

W2. organise ideas into coherent text using a range of linking devices

W3. use a range of appropriate grammatical structures and vocabulary

W4. use appropriate register and style for the given purpose and audience

AO3 Listening

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

L1 . demonstrate understanding of specific information

L2 . demonstrate understanding of speakers’ ideas, opinions and attitudes

L3 . demonstrate understanding of the connections between ideas, opinions and attitudes

L4 . demonstrate understanding of what is implied but not directly stated

AO4 Speaking

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

S1. communicate a range of ideas, facts and opinions

S2. demonstrate control of a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures

S3. develop responses and maintain communication

S4. demonstrate control of pronunciation and intonation

This syllabus gives  the facilitators the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge and engage their learners. Where appropriate the facilitators are responsible for selecting texts, topics, subject contexts, resources and examples to support their  learners’ study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age, cultural background and learning context as well as complying with your school policies and local legal requirements. 

The texts selected for each exercise are from areas of contemporary interest and relevance for second language learners. These might include, for example, conservation/environment, culture/history, science/technology, music/arts and human achievement. This list is not exhaustive; source texts may be from any otherarea of contemporary interest.

The skills covered in the syllabus are highlighted in the tables below. The examples listed in the guidance column are suggested rather than prescribed ways in which learners can demonstrate their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. These examples are not exhaustive.

Specimen Papers 2024 and Mark Schemes