Award: iGCSE
Awarding Body: Cambridge
Specification Code: 0990
Specification Website: Cambridge iGCSE English Language
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English enables learners to:
develop the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively when speaking and writing
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 full range of grades 1-9 are available to all students who sit this exam.
In Year 10 students will work towards developing the skills needed to succeed in Paper 1 of the iGCSE. This will include answering shorter questions, testing understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings, answering a selective summary task in their own words in continuous writing of no more than 120 words and responding to a series of sub-questions which require answers of different lengths. Students will also practice writing responses in one of the following text types: letter, report, journal, speech, interview and article.
In Year 11 students will work on their coursework portfolio. This portfolio will assess students’ expression of what is thought, felt and imagined; their organisation and structure of ideas and opinions for deliberate effect; how well they can use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context and make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Year 10 & 11 Mocks
Component 3
Internally assessed and externally moderated
Coursework Portfolio
80 marks
50% of iGCSE
Candidates submit a portfolio of three assignments, each of about 500–800 words. The assignments may be completed in any order, and are:
Assignment 1: writing to discuss, argue and/or persuade in response to a text or texts
Assignment 2: writing to describe
Assignment 3: writing to narrate.
Paper 1
Externally assessed
Written exam: 2 hours
80 marks
50% of iGCSE
Structured and extended writing questions. Questions will be based on three reading texts which may be on a similar topic.
Question 1 Comprehension and summary task (30 marks)
Question 2 Short-answer questions and language task (25 marks)
Question 3 Extended response to reading (25 marks)