CIE IGCSE 9–1 English

Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019.

Syllabus overview 5 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page Content Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English offers candidates the opportunity to respond knowledgeably to a rich array of reading passages. Candidates will use some of these passages to inform and inspire their own writing, and write in a range of text types for different audiences. Candidates also have the opportunity to develop both their speaking and listening skills, presenting to others and responding to feedback and questions. Candidates are able to develop a range of skills in organising content and adapting their written and spoken language to meet the needs of the purpose and audience. Candidates are encouraged to become appreciative and critical readers, writers, speakers and listeners. Teacher support for Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English We provide a wide range of support resources to give your learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. Support for IGCSE (9–1) English includes a coursework Handbook, Speaking and Listening Handbook and Learner guide. These and other resources are available online through Teacher Support at https://teachers.cie.org.uk Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019. Syllabus overview 6 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page Assessment All candidates take two papers – one of Paper 1 or Paper 2, and one of Paper 3 or Component 4. Component 5 and Component 6 are optional and assess speaking and listening skills. These components are separately endorsed and marks will not contribute to the overall grade. Candidates who have studied the Core subject content, or who are expected to achieve a grade 3 or below should be entered for Paper 1, and either Paper 3 or Component 4. These candidates will be eligible for grades 1 to 5. Candidates who have studied the Extended subject content (Core and Extended), and who are expected to achieve a grade 4 or above should be entered for Paper 2 and either Paper 3 or Component 4. These candidates will be eligible for grades 3 to 9. All candidates take: or: Paper 1 1 hour 45 minutes Reading Passages (Core) 50% 50 marks Structured and extended writing questions Questions will be based on two reading passages Externally assessed Assessing grades 1 to 5 Paper 2 2 hours Reading Passages (Extended) 50% 50 marks Structured and extended writing questions Questions will be based on two reading passages Externally assessed Assessing grades 3 to 9 and: or: Paper 3 2 hours Directed Writing and Composition 50% (Core and Extended) 50 marks Extended writing question and a composition task Externally assessed Component 4 Coursework Portfolio 50% (Core and Extended) 50 marks Three extended writing assignments Internally assessed/externally moderated Centres may also choose to enter candidates for the Speaking and Listening Test or for the Speaking and Listening Coursework. Marks for these optional components do not contribute to the overall grade candidates receive for the written components. Instead, where candidates perform to an appropriate standard, certificates record achievement of grades pass, merit or distinction. Candidates can also take: or: Component 5 Approx. 10–12 minutes Speaking and Listening Test (Core and Extended) 30 marks Individual task and discussion Internally assessed/externally moderated Component 6 Speaking and Listening Coursework (Core and Extended) 30 marks Individual activity, pair-based activity and group activity Internally assessed/externally moderated Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019 . 7 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page 3 Subject content Candidates may follow either the Core Curriculum only or the Extended Curriculum, which includes both the Core and Extended content. Candidates aiming for grades 6 to 9 must follow the Extended Curriculum. The skills covered in the syllabus are outlined below. Assessment objective 1: Reading Core • demonstrate understanding of words and phrases within extended texts • identify and develop facts, ideas and opinions • summarise, paraphrase and re-express • demonstrate some understanding of how writers achieve their effects • recognise and respond to simple linguistic devices including figurative language • extract specific information. Extended • demonstrate a precise understanding of extended texts • synthesise, develop, analyse and evaluate facts, ideas and opinions • effectively summarise, paraphrase and re-express • demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve their effects • recognise and respond to sophisticated linguistic devices • extract appropriate information for specific purposes. Assessment objective 2: Writing Core • express thoughts, feelings and opinions in order to interest, inform or convince the reader • convey simple and detailed facts, ideas and opinions in an orderly sequence • use appropriate vocabulary • demonstrate some sense of audience and context • demonstrate adequate control of spelling, punctuation and grammar • attempt a variety of sentence structures. Extended • express effectively what is thought, felt and imagined • order and convey facts, ideas and opinions effectively • demonstrate a sophisticated use of imaginative and varied vocabulary • demonstrate a clear sense of audience and context • demonstrate accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar • use effectively a variety of sentence structures. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019. Subject content 8 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page Assessment objective 3: Speaking and listening Core • describe experience in simple terms and express intelligibly what is thought, felt and imagined • recognise and give statements of opinion and attitude • present facts, ideas and opinions in an orderly sequence • communicate with some clarity, focus and purpose • communicate with some awareness of audience and context • make relevant comments on what is heard. Extended • describe and reflect on experience, and express effectively what is thought, felt and imagined • understand and convey complex information in a sophisticated way • order and present facts, ideas and opinions effectively • discuss statements of opinion and attitude, discerning underlying assumptions and points of view • communicate with clarity, focus and purpose • communicate appropriately depending on the audience and context • evaluate and reflect on what is heard. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019. Details of the assessment 9 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page 4 Details of the assessment Paper 1 – Reading Passages (Core) Written paper, 1 hour 45 minutes, 50 marks Candidates answer three questions on two passages which may be on a similar topic. Candidates write all their answers in the spaces provided on the question paper. Passage A will be 500–600 words and Passage B will be 300–350 words in length. Candidates should spend approximately 10 minutes reading the passages. These passages will be printed on the question paper insert. Dictionaries may not be used. Candidates taking this component are eligible for grades 1–5. 50 per cent of the total marks available. Question 1 Comprehension questions (20 marks) This is a series of sub-questions in response to Passage A, requiring answers of different lengths and testing the following reading assessment objectives (20 marks): R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects. Question 2 Extended response (15 marks) This question, in response to Passage A, may be sub-divided. Candidates write about 200–300 words, responding in one of the following text types: letter, report, journal, speech, interview, newspaper report or magazine article. This question tests the following reading assessment objectives (10 marks): R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions. The question also tests the following writing assessment objectives (5 marks): W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined W2 organise facts, ideas and opinions W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary W4 use register appropriate to audience and context. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019. Details of the assessment 10 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page Question 3 Summary question (15 marks) Candidates write their content points in note form and then their summary as continuous writing of no more than 150 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 for specific purposes. The question also tests the following writing assessment objectives (5 marks): W2 organise facts, ideas and opinions W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Paper 2 – Reading Passages (Extended) Written paper, 2 hours, 50 marks Candidates answer three questions on two passages which may be on a similar topic. Candidates write all their answers in the spaces provided on the question paper. Passage A will be 650–750 words and Passage B will be 550–650 words in length. Candidates should spend approximately 15 minutes reading the passages. These passages will be printed on the question paper insert. Dictionaries may not be used. Candidates taking this component are eligible for grades 3–9. 50 per cent of the total marks available. Question 1 Extended response (20 marks) This question, in response to Passage A, may be sub-divided. Candidates write about 250–350 words, responding in one of the following text types: letter, report, journal, speech, interview, newspaper report or magazine 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 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions. The question also tests the following writing assessment objectives (5 marks): W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined W2 organise facts, ideas and opinions W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary W4 use register appropriate to audience and context. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019. Details of the assessment 11 www.cie.org.uk/igcse Back to contents page Question 2 Language question (10 marks) This question, in response to Passage A, may be sub-divided. Candidates write about 200–300 words. This question tests the following reading assessment objective (10 marks): R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects. Question 3 Summary question (20 marks) Candidates write their summary as continuous writing of no more than 200 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 R5 select for specific purposes. The question also tests the following writing assessment objectives (5 marks): W2 organise facts, ideas and opinions W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Paper 3 – Directed Writing and Composition Written paper, 2 hours, 50 marks Candidates answer two questions, one from each section. Candidates write both their answers in the spaces provided on the question paper. Dictionaries may not be used. Candidates are eligible for grades 1–9 on this component. 50 per cent of the total marks available. Section 1 Directed Writing (25 marks) Candidates answer one question on a passage or passages totalling 650–750 words, printed on the question paper insert. This question may be sub-divided. Candidates use, develop and evaluate the information in a discursive/argumentative letter or article. Candidates write about 250–350 words. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus for 2019. Details of the assessment 12