English as a Second Language

IGCSE English as a Second Language is studied by many overseas ESL pupils in conjunction with English as a First Language. It should be chosen as an option subject. This course is both skills- and topic-based and aims to expose pupils to a significant amount of English to help them achieve well across the curriculum.

Examinations are taken in the summer of Year 11 and comprise reading, writing, listening and speaking. Texts are culturally neutral and are suited to pupils who are new to living in the UK.

This IGCSE qualification is split into three papers:

Paper 1: Reading is worth 25% of the total. Externally assessed.

Typical tasks include:

• Reading a range of text types e.g. factual texts, invitations, instructions and
  opinion pieces, blog posts and recipes
• Identifying key information
• Understanding a wide range of grammatical forms and structures
• Reading for different purposes

Paper 2: Listening is worth 25% of the total. Externally assessed.

Typical tasks include:

• Listening to and understanding spoken English Language extracts and identifying
  key information
• Listening to and understanding informational broadcasts e.g. extracts from
  podcasts which may involve more than one speaker
• Listening to and understanding conversations which may be casual or in the form
  of interviews
• Identifying facts and viewpoints

Paper 3: Writing is worth 25% of the total. Externally assessed.

Typical tasks include:

Writing:

• Conveying information in writing on a range of topics, using context-specific
  vocabulary
• Writing in a variety of styles, informal and semi-informally e.g. emails and articles
• Summary writing
• Writing fluently, coherently, and accurately

Paper 4: Speaking is worth 25% of the total. Externally assessed.

Typical tasks include:

• Role play
• Topic talk
• Picture-based conversation

The IGCSE ESL English as a Second Language qualification is accepted by some British Universities as satisfying their English language requirements.

This qualification is required by some universities in Anglophone countries as proof of competency in English for speakers of English as a Second Language. The top score in each of the four papers (reading, writing, listening and speaking) is 9.0. A typical entrance requirement for a Russell Group university is a minimum of at least a 7.0 in each of the four papers with an overall score of at least 7.5. It is imperative that year 12 and 13 pupils check the IELTS scores required by their chosen universities before they complete their UCAS application. It is recommended that pupils obtain email confirmation of the IELTS requirements for their chosen courses from each individual course admissions tutor. The test fee currently stands at £225.00.