English as a Second Language

Those pupils whose first language is not English will have the alternative of sitting the CIE (I)GCSE English as a Second Language examination if they find the GCSE First Language examination too demanding. They will continue with their first language English lessons as usual.

Cambridge (I)GCSE English as a Second Language is accepted by universities and employers as proof of ability to understand and communicate in English. It is aimed at pupils whose first language is not English, but who use English as a language of study.

The Cambridge (I)GCSE (9-1) English as a Second Language (0991) exam is designed for learners who already have a working knowledge of the language and who want to consolidate their understanding in order to progress in their academic or professional career.

Cambridge (I)GCSE (9–1) English as a Second Language offers learners the opportunity to gain lifelong skills and knowledge including:

• Better communicative ability in English.

• Improved ability to understand English in a range of everyday situations and in a variety of social registers and styles.

• Greater awareness of the nature of language and language-learning skills.

• Wider international perspective.

Candidates who achieve Grade 4 overall in Cambridge (I)GCSE (9–1) English as a Second Language 0991 (Count-in Speaking) can be considered to be at a level equivalent to B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The exam assesses ability in the four skills of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The candidates sit three separate examination papers:

• Reading and Writing which includes reading comprehension tasks, summary writing, and formal and informal writing for different purposes to ensure pupils have a consolidated awareness of appropriate and effective use of language.

• Listening which tests general comprehension, understanding specific information, inferred information and understanding opinion.

• Speaking to ensure academic skills of description, explanation, justification and evaluation, on a wide range of concrete and abstract topics.

Preparation for this examination is carried out during specific tuition in small group lessons in the English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department.

Ms Checketts

Head of EAL ncc@kingsbruton.com