English - First Language

Overview Through learning a language, we are able to understand the world better, to be more analytical, and to look for deeper meaning. English is a subject in which imaginations are stimulated and creative personal style is developed. At Rugby School Thailand, we encourage pupils to read widely, speak fluently, and write accurately in preparation for further study. It is expected that most students will be selected to take the IGCSE English First Language, including many that have a different home language.

Syllabus Cambridge International Examinations IGCSE English Language (0500) Course Aims The Cambridge International Examinations IGCSE in English Language aims to enable learners 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 Course Content This course has three main areas of focus: 1) Reading

Reading skills will be developed through engagement with a range of genres and text types from the twentieth and/or twenty-first centuries. This study will focus on writers’ use of language and style, and the ways in which writers’ achieve effects and influence readers. 2) Writing

Pupils will be introduced to a range of writing skills, including the ability to create and compose texts for a variety of forms and purposes. This involves developing creative writing skills as well as writing or specific purposes. 3) Speaking and Listening

This component focuses on building pupils’ ability to participate in engaging conversation and to respond spontaneously to questions and prompts. Another key feature includes focus on presentation skills in employing and organizing content, and language devices. Assessment The course is assessed by two terminal examination papers at the end of D Block (Year 11). Pupils write the following papers:

Paper 1: Reading Exam content: a mixture of short and long answer questions based on three reading passages Question style: structured and extended writing questions Duration: 2 hours Marks: 80 (50% of total examination mark) Paper 2: Writing Exam content: one question based on a reading passage; a choice of four composition questions Question style: one extended writing question, one composition task selected from a set of four questions Duration: 2 hours Marks: 80 (50% of total examination mark)

There is also a third component, the Speaking and Listening Test. The results of this component do not contribute to the overall grade; rather, pupils are awarded a separate certificate recording achievements of Grades 1 (high) to 5 (low). Component 4: Speaking and Listening Content: individual talk and conversation Duration: approximately 10 – 12 minutes Marks: 40 marks (separately endorsed)