When is this exam available?

This exam is available in May/June every year.

IGCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (FIRST LANGUAGE)

Studying English Langauge enables students to develop the ability to read and respond to material from a variety of sources; make comparisons between texts and analyse the ways in which writers achieve their effects; and construct and convey meaning in written language, matching style to audience and purpose.

WHAT IS ENGLISH LANGUAGE?

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to read a wide range of texts fluently and with good understanding; read critically and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing; write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately; use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately; acquire and apply a wide vocabulary alongside knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language; listen to and understand spoken language, and use spoken Standard English effectively.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

Paper 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing

The contemporary non-fiction texts from Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology.

Develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects.

Explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives.

Develop transactional writing skills for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

Paper 2: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative

The poetry and prose texts from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Anthology.

Develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects.

Develop imaginative writing skills to engage the reader.

Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

HOW IS IT ASSESSED?

Paper 1:

Section A: Reading – a mixture of short- and long-answer questions related to a nonfiction text from Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology and one previously unseen extract. Total of 45 marks.

Section B: Transactional Writing – one 45-mark writing task, from a choice of two involving a given audience, form or purpose.

Paper 2:

Section A: Reading: one 30-mark essay question on a poetry or prose text from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology.

Section B: Imaginative Writing – one 30-mark imaginative writing task from a choice of three.

WHAT WILL I GAIN FROM STUDYING THE SUBJECT?

English Language will equip you to be able to engage with texts and language with confidence and insight. You will develop a sensitivity to language choices and language can be used to persuade, engage and direct a reader.

WHAT DO I NEED?

You need to have an interest in the written and the spoken word and a willingness to read new kinds of text. You should already be a keen reader and read widely.

International students should have a minimum overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four assessed areas.