Additional Mathematics (as appropriate)

Area Topics

Functions language and notation of functions, absolute functions, inverse functions, composite functions; transformation of functions

Algebra simultaneous equations; quadratics; exponents; logarithms; polynomials, sequence & series

Straight Line Graphs

Equation of a straight line; linearization

Calculus Differentiation differentiation of various functions including integer, fractional and negative indices; differentiation of composite functions; products and quotients, trigonometric functions, logarithmic and exponential functions; investigating gradients; higher derivatives and their use in determining turning points; applications of differentiation

Calculus Integration integration of polynomials, trigonometrical functions, selected composite, quotients and exponential functions. definite integrals – areas under curves

Applied Mathematics application of differentiation and integration to analyse motion and to solve equations of motion

Trigonometry solution of triangles, circular measure, graphs of trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, trigonometric equations

Permutations & Combinations permutations and combinations, binomial expansions

Vectors Vectors in two dimensions

What is the nature of assessment?

Both the International Mathematics and the Additional Mathematics courses are assessed by external exams at the end of Grade 10. Throughout the course, students will sit for topic tests, end-of-year exams, complete extended tasks for homework, as well as a number of mathematical investigations and modelling projects to develop their mathematical skills as well as their mathematical initiative and problem-solving skills. Students may also be required to make oral presentations.

English Language And Literature

What is the nature of English at IGCSE level?

The IGCSE courses in English Language and English Literature are taught concurrently. The emphasis for Literature is on the understanding and appreciation of a variety of genres: Prose, Poetry, and Drama. In English Language the focus is on developing students’ understanding of how language works in a range of texts. Skills of analysis and evaluation are also developed alongside the ability to think independently. In order to prepare students for the rigorous demands of IB English, the Department aims to instil in students the importance of wider reading. Homework is an integral part of the course.

Cambridge programmes and qualifications are designed to support learners in becoming:

• confident in working with information and ideas – their own and those of others

• responsible for themselves, responsive to and respectful of others

• reflective as learners, developing their ability to learn

• innovative and equipped for new and future challenges

• engaged intellectually and socially, ready to make a difference

What is the approach to learning?

In English Language, students are taught to communicate accurately and effectively in both speech and writing. A range of skills are developed:

• Understanding and responding to what they hear, read and experience.

• Communicating accurately, appropriately, confidently and effectively

• Enjoying and appreciating a variety of styles of language

• Working with information and ideas in other areas of study, for example, by developing skills of analysis, synthesis and the drawing of inferences

• Personal development and an understanding of themselves and others.

In English Literature, students are encouraged to enjoy the experience of reading and to develop the following:

• Understanding of, and the ability to respond to, a range of literary texts from different periods in literary history

• The ability to produce an informed personal response that is appropriate and effective.

• Appreciation of the ways in which writers use language to achieve specific effects.

• Understanding of the contribution of Literature to areas of human concern.

What is the subject content? English Literature:

Prose - Life of Pi by Yann Martel (This text will change for the 2025 examinations)

Poetry - The poetry of Ted Hughes

Drama - Othello by William Shakespeare (This text will change for the 2025 examinations)

English Language:

Text transformation

Report writing

Summary writing

Textual analysis

Argumentative writing

Narrative writing

Descriptive writing

What is the nature of assessment? Assessment is by final examination

Paper 1 Reading Passages (2hrs)

Paper 2 Directed Writing and Composition (2hrs)

English Literature:

Paper 1 Poetry and Prose (Closed Book) (1hr 30 mins)

Paper 3 Drama (Open Book) (45 mins)

Paper 4 Unseen (1hr 15 mins)

English Language:

Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live. Learning languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment.

For our Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents, we comply with the Singapore Ministry of Education’s Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Requirements. Please click here to access the school policy on MTL Requirements

What is the nature of Languages at IGCSE level?

Students will develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in order to communicate effectively using the language they are studying. They will use the language whenever and wherever possible. Students will also learn the culture of the countries where the language is spoken so that they have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between their own culture and the culture of the language they are learning. In this way, students will develop critical thinking around culture and intercultural connections.

The course aims to form a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes required for further study, work and leisure:

● Offer insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries where the language is spoken

● Develop a fuller awareness of the nature of language and language learning;

● Encourage positive attitudes toward language learning and towards speakers of other languages and a sympathetic approach to other cultures and civilisations;

● Provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation;

● Complement other areas of study by encouraging skills of a more general application (e.g. analysis, memorising, drawing of inferences).

What is the approach to learning?

In Languages, students will improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills using a learner-centered approach that is not restricted to textbooks. Instead, students will be exposed to various types of texts taken from a range of materials. Students will learn the language through diverse activities such as role-plays, oral presentations and language games. Assignments and assessments are varied so that students are aware of their strengths and areas to be improved.

Home Language Programme

The Home Language Programme is a specialised programme offered to students who have a linguistic or cultural connection to a language other than English. Depending on their level of language, the student’s Home Language can either be studied at a first or foreign language level. Language courses in the Home Language Programme are specifically tailored to the needs of the students, and therefore the examination will be based on their ability. Students will be given an appropriate benchmark assessment at the end of Grade 10. Past examinations have included the Foreign Language IGCSE French examination, the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) level, and TOPIK (Test Of Proficiency in Korean). Additional fees apply for this programme.

Further details:

1. IGCSE Chinese (1st, 2nd and Foreign Language) and Malay (First Language, GCE O level Malay and Foreign Language examinations) take place in Semester 1 of Grade 10: the oral examination is in March, and the written examination occurs in May. Express Tamil O Level examinations take place in November in Grade 9 or in June in Grade 10, depending on the student’s Tamil pathway.

2. Because of the small class sizes, Indonesian, Malay and Tamil will be taught for two periods per week instead of three. For the remaining one period, students will report to the school library to do self-study. Subject teachers will set meaningful work for the students.

Language Pathways:

English Grades 7 to 8

IGCSE IB Diploma (Grades 11 and 12)

English Language

Acquisition

English as an Additional Language

English Language Acquisition (ELA) programmeIn-class support for selected lessons only

IGCSE English - First Language

English A: Literature SL/HL or

English A: language and literature SL/HL

English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, withdrawal from English and History lessons and in-class support for selected lessons

IGCSE English - First Language

English A: Literature SL/HL or English A: language and literature SL/HL and, if required, IB study support tutorials

English as an Additional Language

English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, withdrawal from English and History lessons and in-class support for selected lessons

Hindi (students who have learned the language for some years and have attained a satisfactory level of competency)

Second Language

Indonesian Grades 7 to 10

First Language

Grades 7 to 10

Hindi

G10 examination

Indonesian IGCSE Bahasa Indonesia

IGCSE English as a Second Language and in-class support for selected lessons

English B HL And IB study support tutorials

G10 examination

IB Diploma (Grades 11 and 12)

IGCSE Hindi as a

Second Language

Hindi B SL / HL (exam in May in G12)

IB Diploma (Grades 11 and 12)

Indonesian A: language and Literature SL/HL (May exam)

Indonesian A: literature SL/HL

Foreign Language

Indonesian (There is no IGCSE Indonesian exam)

Indonesian B SL/HL (Little or no exposure to Indonesian.)

Indonesian ab initio

Malay Grades 7 to 10

G10 examination

First Language Malay IGCSE Malay - First Language (exam in May in Grade 10)

Second Language Malay - Express Syllabus GCE O Level Express Malay (exam in May in Grade 10)

Foreign Language Malay IGCSE Malay - Foreign Language (exam in May in Grade 10)

Spanish Grades 7 to 10

Foreign Language

Spanish (for beginners as well as non-beginners)

IB Diploma (Grades 11 and 12)

Malay A: Literature SL/HL (exam in May in G12)

Malay B SL

Malay B SL

G10 examination IB Diploma (Grades 11 and 12)

IGCSE Spanish - Foreign Language

Spanish B SL / HL

(Little or no exposure to Spanish) Spanish ab initio

What is the nature of the assessment? Internal Assessment throughout the course will be based on class activities, class work, homework, tests and end of unit tests.