English IGCSE 1 (0500)

Syllabus Outline & Assessment Structure

The course is evaluated through compulsory and optional components divided into reading and writing skills:

1. Paper 1: Reading (50% of total grade)
2. Focus: Comprehension, explicit/implicit meaning, summary writing, and analysis of writer's effects.
3. Tasks: Short-answer questions, extended response to reading texts, and summary tasks based on unseen passages.
4. Paper 2: Directed Writing and Composition (50% of total grade) (Alternative to coursework)
5. Directed Writing: Responding to reading passages by writing letters, articles, speeches, or reports.
6. Composition: Narrative and descriptive writing tasks designed to test imagination, structuring, and stylistic flair.
7. Component 3: Coursework Portfolio (Alternative to Paper 2, 50%)
8. Tasks: Three distinct assignments showcasing writing for different audiences, plus an analytical response to a text.
9. Component 4: Speaking and Listening (Optional / Separately Endorsed)
10. Focus: Individual presentation and paired/group discussion skills.
11. Note: Assessed separately and does not affect the final overall 9–1 reading/writing grade