Cambridge IGCSE First Language English allows learners to:

•  develop the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively when speaking and writing

•   learn how to use a wide range of vocabulary, and the correct grammar, spelling and punctuation

•  develop a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed.

Learners are also encouraged to read widely, both for their own enjoyment and to further their awareness of the ways in which English can be used. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English also develops more general analysis and communication skills such as inference, and the ability to order facts and present opinions effectively.

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

The aims are to enable students to:

• read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding, enjoying and appreciating a variety of language

• read critically, and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and  improve  their own writing

• write accurately and effectively, using Standard English appropriately

• work with information and with ideas in language by developing skills of evaluation, analysis, use and inference

• listen to, understand, and use spoken language effectively

• acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions.

Cambridge IGCSE First Language English offers candidates the opportunity to respond with understanding to a rich array of reading texts during the course as a whole. Candidates will use these texts to inform and inspire their own writing, and write in a range of text types for different purposes and audiences.

Candidates will develop both their speaking and their listening skills, delivering a presentation, and responding to questions and engaging in conversations.

               Candidates are encouraged to become appreciative and critical readers, writers, speakers and listeners .

               All candidates take two papers. Paper 1, and Paper 2. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G. 

All candidates take:

Paper 1                                                       2 hours

Reading                                                           50%

• 80 marks

• Structured and extended writing questions 

• Questions will be based on three reading texts 

• Externally assessed

AND

Paper 2                                                         2 hours

Directed Writing and Composition               50%

• 80 marks

• Extended writing question and a composition task

• Externally assessed

Reading-Identify and select relevant information,understand ideas,opinions and attitudes.Understand ideas,opinions and attitudes,understand what is implied but not directly stated,e.g-gist,writer's purpose,intention and feelings.

Writing - Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly,accurately and effectively.Use appropriate register and style/format for the given purpose and audience.

      Paper 1 Reading

Written paper, 2 hours, 80 marks

Candidates answer three compulsory questions on three texts which may be on a similar topic. Candidates write all their answers in the space provided on the question paper.

Text A and Text B will be 700–750 words in length and Text C will be 500–650 words in length. Candidates should spend approximately 15 minutes reading the texts.

The texts will be printed on the question paper insert. Dictionaries may not be used.

Question 1 Comprehension and summary task (30 marks)

Comprehension task: this question requires candidates to respond to Text A.

Candidates respond to a series of sub-questions. These include short answers testing understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings.

This question tests the following reading assessment objectives (15 marks):

          R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

          R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes 

          R5 select and use information for specific purposes.

Summary task: this question requires candidates to respond to Text B.

Candidates answer a selective summary task in their own words. Candidates write their summary as continuous writing of no more than 120 words.

This question tests the following reading assessment objectives (10 marks): 

      R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

      R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes 

      R5 select and use information for  specific purposes.

This question also tests the following writing assessment objectives (5 marks): 

            W2 organize and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect

       W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context 

       W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Question 2 Short-answer questions and language task (25 marks)

Short-answer questions: this question requires candidates to respond to Text C.

Candidates respond to a series of sub-questions which require answers of different lengths. This question tests the following reading assessment objectives (10 marks):

        R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

        R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes

             R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers.

Language task: this question requires candidates to respond to Text C. Candidates write about 200–300 words.

This question tests the following reading assessment objectives (15 marks):

      R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

           R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes

      R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers.

Question 3 Extended response to reading (25 marks)

This question requires candidates to respond to Text C.

Candidates write about 250–350 words, responding in one of the following text types: letter, report, journal, speech, interview and article.

This question tests the following reading assessment objectives (15 marks): 

                    R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes

R3 analyze, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support from the text.

This question also tests the following writing assessment objectives (10 marks): 

                   W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined

              W2 organize and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect

              W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context 

              W4 use register appropriate to context

              W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Paper 2 Directed Writing and Composition

Written paper, 2 hours, 80 marks

Candidates answer two questions, one from each section. The texts will be printed on the question paper insert.

Dictionaries may not be used.

Section A Directed Writing (40 marks)

Candidates answer one compulsory question on one or two texts totaling 650–750 words in length.

Candidates use, develop and evaluate the information in the text(s) to create a discursive/argumentative/ persuasive speech, letter or article.

Candidates write about 250–350 words.

This question tests the following writing assessment objectives (25 marks):

W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined 

W2 organize and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect

W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context 

W4 use register appropriate to context

W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

This question also tests the following reading assessment objectives (15 marks): 

R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes

R3 analyze, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support from the text 

R5 select and use information for specific purposes.

Section B Composition (40 marks)

Candidates answer one question from a choice of four titles: two descriptive and two narrative. Candidates use the title to develop and write a composition.

Candidates write about 350–450 words.

This question tests the following writing assessment objectives (40 marks):

W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined 

W2 organize and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect

W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context 

W4 use register appropriate to context

W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Specimen Paper 2- 0500/22- Directed Writing & Composition- Qs Paper, Insert & Mark Scheme