IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL)

Exam Board:  EDEXCEL Specification 4357

IGCSE in English as a Second Language is designed primarily as a qualification either for candidates obtaining their secondary education through English as a medium of instruction, or studying English in order to enhance their future educational or employment prospects.

Qualification

Candidates will be expected to communicate formally and informally in a range of contexts, but will be expected to understand a wider range of texts, styles and registers than they can produce.
The aims of the course are for candidates to:

  • Understand a wide variety of complex reading texts, recognising implicit meaning and adapting own style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes
  • Understand standard spoken language normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational contexts.
  • Write clear, well-structured texts using an appropriate style
  • Express them fluently and spontaneously
  • Develop the skills necessary for further study or employment either in English speaking countries or where English is used as the main medium of communication
  • Develop an understanding of different cultural contexts

Assessment

Reading, writing and listening skills are tested through two examination papers:

Paper 1 (2 hours) Reading and Writing
Paper 2 (45 mins) Listening

The specification will be examined in May.

Entry requirements

Pre-intermediate level of English

Non-native speakers who are following GCSE courses in other subjects will take IGCSE English as a Second Language

For more information about this course, please go to http://www.edexcel-international.org/quals/igcse/esl