Cambridge IGCSE™ and IGCSE (9–1) First Language English
This factsheet provides an overview of the main changes to the syllabuses for examination from 2027, and explains how our resources support you and your students with these updates.
Key change
Our consultations with teachers told us that the current syllabus is well-liked, so we have kept the existing subject content and made some changes to the assessment.
What this means for you
We regularly review our qualifications to make sure they are up to date and fit for purpose.
Our qualifications and resources reflect the latest thinking in a subject area, drawn from expert international research to include new and refined ideas and check what we do is still best practice.
We consult with the people we serve and use your feedback to make sure everything is working well, so you can teach the updated syllabuses with confidence.
We have restructured Paper 1: Reading. We have restructured Paper 1 to create a straightforward approach that will help your students pace themselves, supporting good exam technique.
We have made some minor changes to Paper 2: Directed Writing and Composition.
We have reduced the amount students need to read to help them focus on the writing and composition being assessed.
Question 1(a) is a new 5-mark question focused on reading and will help students with their comprehension of the texts before they start the writing task. Question 1(b) has the same focus as the current Directed Writing.
We have updated the marking criteria for:
Component 3: Coursework and
Component 4: Speaking and Listening.
You will need to be familiar with the new marking criteria, so you can understand the areas your students will be assessed on.
To develop our updated syllabuses and new published resources, we talked with English teachers and educational experts in Cambridge and globally.
How we support you
Their insights have helped us develop syllabuses and resources that encourage students to accelerate their learning and develop skills for life.
In addition to the syllabus document, we will also provide the following support to help you teach the updated syllabuses:
• scheme of work
• specimen paper answers
• learner guide
• coursework handbook
• speaking and listening handbook
• speaking and listening test video
• Resource Plus
• example candidate responses.
These resources are available on the School Support Hub for Cambridge teachers at cambridgeinternational.org/support
Our support offer also includes a new edition of our print and digital resources. We have updated our series in response to the syllabus changes and insights from teachers around the world. You can learn more about our new coursebook, workbook and teacher’s resource below and on the back page of this brochure.
The coursebook is now divided into two parts, which are led by skill – Part 1: Reading and Part 2: Writing. The Reading section starts with an introduction to the types of skills students will practise throughout this section. The chapters then focus on reading skills and strategies, reading for comprehension, summary writing, analysing and explaining writers’ effects, extended responses to reading and reading practice.
Feedback from teachers told us there were areas where more support was needed, such as writer’s effect, implicit vs explicit meaning and vocabulary. We have listened to this valuable feedback and updated our coursebook to support these areas. We have also introduced video content to further guide and engage students. Additional skills development and practice can also be found within our updated workbook. Our updated teacher’s resource also provides guidance on these areas.
We have introduced more diverse, modern and international texts reflecting a range of cultures to provide an enriching experience. These will appeal to students around the world.
Multiple formative assessment and practice opportunities within the resources will develop the skills required by the syllabus and help your students prepare for assessment.
The ‘Part 2: Writing’ section within the coursebook focuses on writing skills, directed writing, descriptive writing, narrative writing and writing practice. Lots of support is provided for students to develop their writing, build confidence and apply their skills. We have also introduced video content to help engage and motivate students.
Students will find the sample answers very helpful in providing guidance on what effective writing looks like, the reasons why and opportunities to reflect on how to improve. There are many opportunities for students to refine their writing skills within our workbook too.
The teacher’s resource contains support for developing students’ writing skills with Microsoft PowerPoints on writer’s effect, directed writing and extended response.
We have introduced features that specifically focus on building students’ speaking and listening skills. These are found in the ‘Speaking and listening tip’ boxes throughout the coursebook. These tips offer different strategies to enhance skills and involve pair and group work.
The projects featured in the coursebook will help your students practise their skills for the coursework component. We also have guidance and ideas within the teacher’s resource.
For full details on the updated syllabuses, please visit cambridgeinternational.org/uppersecondary
Our published resources
Fully modernised and updated by new authors, our sixth edition offers the flexibility of using content in print and digital formats. In response to teachers’ feedback, we have introduced video content, more formative assessment opportunities and included wider support for helping students with challenging areas.
The coursebook, workbook and teacher’s resource support the Cambridge IGCSE and IGCSE (9–1) First Language English syllabuses (0500/0990) for examination from 2027. We are working towards endorsement of these titles for the Cambridge Pathway.
Coursebook with digital access
• Step-by-step skills-based approach.
• Sample answers provide guidance on what effective writing looks like, the reasons why and opportunities to reflect on how to improve.
• Diverse, modern and international texts reflecting a range of cultures.
• Engaging video content brings language and challenging concepts to life.
• ‘Language focus’ sections in each unit explain specific grammar and language topics.
• Projects at the end of each unit encourage collaboration.
• Multiple practice opportunities.
Workbook with digital access
• ‘Language focus’ boxes from the coursebook to reinforce learning.
• A variety of additional practice opportunities, including tasks to develop reading and writing. Two units dedicated to practice questions.
Digital teacher’s resource
• Reflects the same unit order as the coursebook and workbook.
• Includes lesson ideas, reading passages and writing models.
• End-of-unit tests and associated answers.
• Ready-made class materials, such as Microsoft PowerPoints, worksheets and handouts.
• Answers to the coursebook and workbook activities.
Cambridge Pathway
The Cambridge Pathway offers five stages of education from age 3 to 19, with curriculum, resources and assessment. Registered Cambridge International Schools benefit from high-quality programmes, qualifications, assessments and a wide range of support so that teachers can effectively deliver in the classroom. Visit cambridgeinternational.org/pathway to find out more.