GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

Course Outline IGCSE First

Language English Grade 10/ Year 11
Inspiring excellence, empowering global minds

Overview

Cambridge IGCSE First Language English offers students the opportunity to respond with
understanding to a rich array of reading texts during the course as a whole. Students use these texts
to inform and inspire their own writing and write in a range of text types for different purposes and
audiences. They develop both their speaking and their listening skills, delivering a presentation,
responding to questions, and engaging in conversations. They are encouraged to become appreciative
and critical readers, writers, speakers, and listeners.

Learning Outcomes

The aims are 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 with 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 a knowledge and understanding of grammatical
terminology.

and linguistic conventions.

Ongoing Objectives

Reading

• Demonstrate understanding of written texts, and of the words and phrases within them.
• Summarise and use material for a specific context.
• Develop, analyse, and evaluate facts, ideas, and opinions.
• Demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve their effects and influence readers.
• Select appropriate information for specific purposes.
• Recognise and respond to linguistic devices, figurative language, and imagery.
In developing reading skills, students engage with a range of genres and text types from the
twentieth and/or twenty-first centuries, including literature, fiction, and non-fiction, and other
forms of writing, such as discursive essays, reviews, and articles. This study includes focus on writers’
use of language and style and the ways in which writers achieve effects and influence readers.
Students also study how influence may include fact, ideas, perspectives, opinions, and bias.

1
 GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

Writing

• Express what is thought, felt, and imagined.

• Organise and convey facts, ideas, and opinions effectively.
• Demonstrate a varied vocabulary appropriate to the context.
• Demonstrate an effective use of sentence structures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of audience, purpose, and form.
• Demonstrate accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
As developing writers themselves, students are introduced to a range of writing skills, including the
ability to create and compose texts with a variety of forms and purposes, e.g. descriptive, narrative,
discursive, argumentative, and persuasive. This study includes focus on the following text types:
letter, report, article, journal, speech, interview, and summary.

Speaking & Listening

• Describe and reflect on experience.

• Organise and convey facts, ideas, and opinions effectively.
• Understand and convey complex ideas.
• Communicate with clarity, focus, and purpose.
• Communicate appropriately for the context.
• Engage appropriately in conversation.
Students explore a range of speaking and listening skills, including the ability to participate in
engaging conversations and to respond spontaneously. There is focus on presentation skills in
employing and organising content, and body language, such as gestures and face expressions.
•
Topic Overview
Term 1
1. Debates Approximate length: 2 weeks

Students review the Lincoln-Douglas debate structure and debating terms. In groups, they prepare and perform
formal debates.

• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts, ideas, and opinions.

• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• To present facts, ideas, and opinions in a cohesive order which sustains the audience’s interest.
• To communicate clearly and purposefully using fluent language.
• To listen and respond appropriately in conversation.

2. Language Analysis Approximate length: 1 week

Students respond to a text and use skills to analyse the effect of the language used in the text and the impact
it has on the reader.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To demonstrate understanding of explicit and implicit meanings and attitudes.

2
 GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

• To demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers.

• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

3. Reading Comprehension Approximate length: 2 weeks

Students respond to a series of questions and sub-questions. These include short and long answers, which test
an understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To demonstrate understanding of explicit and implicit meanings and attitudes.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts, ideas, and opinions using appropriate support from the text.
• To demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

4. Summary Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students learn how to answer a selective summary task in their own words. They write their summary as a
continuous writing while developing the skills and techniques required for this task.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To demonstrate understanding of explicit and implicit meanings and attitudes.
• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

5. Descriptive Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students develop ideas and images which create a convincing and well-defined picture. There is a focus on
descriptive techniques and figures of speech.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.

• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

6. Narrative Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students are required to write a narrative essay, which shows development of plot, structure, setting, and
character.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.

• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

7. News Report Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of a journalistic report. They utilize the skills and
techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.

3
 GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.

• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

8. Formal Letter Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of a formal letter. They utilize the skills and
techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.
• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

9. Informal Letter Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of an informal letter. They utilize the skills and
techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.
• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

10. Revision Approximate length: 1 week

11. EoT Exams & Review of Papers Approximate length: 3 weeks

Term 2

1. Informative Speech Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of an informative speech, which is delivered in
class. They utilize the skills and techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.
• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• To present facts, ideas and opinions in a cohesive order which sustains the audience’s interest.
• To communicate clearly and purposefully using fluent language.

4
 GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

2. Persuasive Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students explore how to write a persuasive piece of writing. To coincide with this topic, students will cover
argumentative writing in the following week, where they will further explore the skills and techniques covered
in this topic.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.

• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context.
• To use register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• To demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings.
• To demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts, ideas, and opinions, using appropriate support from the text.
• To select and use information for specific purposes.

3. Argumentative Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students explore how to write an argumentative piece of writing. To coincide with this topic, students would
have covered persuasive writing in the previous week, which would assist to further explore the skills and
techniques covered in this topic.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.

• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context.
• To use register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• To demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings.
• To demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts, ideas, and opinions, using appropriate support from the text.
• To select and use information for specific purposes.

4. Formal Report Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of a formal report. They utilize the skills and
techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.
• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

5. Journal Entry Writing Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of a journal entry. Students utilize the skills and
techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.

5
 GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.

• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

6. Formal Interview Approximate length: 1 week

Students read a text and are required to respond in the form of an interview, which is performed in class. They
utilize the skills and techniques taught in other areas of writing to answer this question.

• To select and use information for specific purposes.

• To articulate experience and express what is thought, felt, and imagined.
• To analyse, evaluate, and develop facts and ideas using appropriate support from the text.
• To organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
• To use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and register appropriate to context.
• To make accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• To present facts, ideas, and opinions in a cohesive order which sustains the audience’s interest.
• To communicate clearly and purposefully using fluent language.
• To listen and respond appropriately in conversation.

7. Revision Approximate length: 2 weeks

8. Mock Exam & Review of Papers Approximate length: 4 weeks

Term 3

Study Leave Approximate length: 5 weeks

IGCSE Exams Approximate length: 5 weeks

Assessment

Baseline Test: At the beginning of the academic year, the students write an internal and
standardized baseline test, which is used to measure progress.

Formative: Throughout the year, the students complete past paper questions and project work which
allow the teachers to assess the students’ attainment and inform their planning.

Summative: Each term the students write internal and standardized tests. At the end of term 1, the
students sit for the EoT exams, which allow teachers to measure the students’ progress throughout
the term. At the end of Term 2, the students sit for the Mock exams in preparation for the IGCSE
exams. The teachers use this data to measure progress throughout the year and predict an IGCSE
Grade.

Action for blended learning

Due to Covid-19 safety measures, we are following a blended model of remote and face-to-face
learning, which is technology-centred. In addition to the traditional copybook, we will use:
• GEMS Phoenix classroom.

6
GRADE 10 IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH COURSE SYLLABUS 2020-2021

• GCSE pods.
• Microsoft Office.
• Education websites and applications, such as Kahoot, Padlet, Pear Deck, etc.