Seychelles S5 School Syllabus - English as a First Language (IGCSE)

This syllabus is for the Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500) exam.

Aims

This course aims 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 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 knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions.

Assessment Overview

Candidates take two compulsory components: Paper 1 and either Paper 2 or Component 3. Component 4 is optional and separately endorsed.

Paper 1: Reading (2 hours, 50% of total marks)

• Three compulsory questions based on three provided texts (two texts of 700–750 words, one text of 500–650 words).
• Question 1: Comprehension and summary tasks.
• Question 2: Short-answer questions and a language task.
• Question 3: Extended response to reading in a specific text type (e.g., letter, report, journal, speech, interview, article).

Paper 2: Directed Writing and Composition (2 hours, 50% of total marks)

• Section A: One compulsory directed writing task based on provided text(s) (650–750 words total). The task involves creating a discursive/argumentative/persuasive speech, letter, or article (250–350 words).
• Section B: One composition task from a choice of four titles (two descriptive, two narrative) (350–450 words).

Component 3: Coursework Portfolio (50% of total marks)

• Three extended writing assignments (500–800 words each):
• Assignment 1: Writing to discuss, argue, and/or persuade in response to a text or texts.
• Assignment 2: Descriptive writing.
• Assignment 3: Narrative writing.
• Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Component 4: Speaking and Listening Test (approximately 10–12 minutes, separately endorsed)

• Part 1: Individual Talk (3–4 minutes) on a chosen topic.
• Part 2: Conversation (7–8 minutes) with the teacher/examiner about the chosen topic.
• Internally assessed and externally moderated. Graded 1 (high) to 5 (low).

Subject Content

Reading: Students will develop skills in comprehension, summarization, analysis, evaluation, and understanding writers' effects and linguistic devices. They will engage with various genres and text types from the 20th and 21st centuries, including literature, fiction, non-fiction, discursive essays, reviews, and articles.

Writing: Students will develop skills in expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas; organizing and conveying information effectively; using varied vocabulary and sentence structures; understanding audience, purpose, and form; and demonstrating accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. They will practice writing different text types, including letters, reports, articles, journals, speeches, interviews, and summaries.

Speaking and Listening: Students will develop skills in describing and reflecting on experiences, expressing thoughts and feelings, organizing and conveying information, understanding and conveying complex ideas, communicating clearly and purposefully, using appropriate register, and engaging in conversations. They will also practice presentation skills, including employing language devices like irony, tone, and emphasis.