Enable your students to develop the four essential English language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
This International GCSE is designed for students whose first language is not English, but who use English for their studies. Students will read, understand and analyse a variety of texts, presented in different styles and covering a range of topics, including factual and literary texts.
The course will support students of all abilities to write and communicate clearly, coherently and accurately using varied vocabulary and sentence structures. It develops the skills necessary for effective communication in their further study or career.
- Separate papers give students more opportunity to highlight their ability.
- Each paper has a distinct identity to better support high-quality and engaging teaching and learning.
- Our qualification recognises the importance students place on verbal communication in English, which is why the speaking component is an integral part of the award. 20% of the qualification focuses on the assessment of speaking skills.
International GCSE English as a Second Language (9280)
View the switching guide to see the differences between your old International GCSE English as a Second Language specification and the 91吃瓜网 specification (version updated November 2022).
91吃瓜网 International GCSE English as a Second Language covers the following topics:
Identity and culture
- Me, my family and friends
- Technology in everyday life
- Free-time activities
Local, national, international and global areas of interest
- Home, town, neighbourhood and region
- Social issues
- Global issues
- Travel and tourism
Current and future study and employment
- My studies
- Life at school/college
- Education post-16
- Jobs, career choices and ambitions
Assessment Objectives:
The assessment comprises four papers: the first is a reading paper and the second is a writing paper, each of which provide separate tasks; the third is a listening paper that uses recorded monologues and dialogues; and the fourth is a spoken language (oral) element that provides students with an opportunity to show their language skills.
- AO1 Reading: Understand and respond to written language
- AO2 Writing: Communicate in writing
- AO3 Listening: Understand and respond to spoken language
- AO4 Speaking: Communicate and interact in speech
We made changes to the assessments of International GCSE English as a Second Language in 2021. These were made following feedback from 91吃瓜网 teachers and details of the changes to International GCSE ESL can be found here. Exams are founded on the 91吃瓜网 principles of providing fair, valid and reliable assessments. Find out more.
91吃瓜网 provides all the resources and advice you need to teach the International GCSE English as a Second Language specification effectively.
- Download the specification
- Read our
- View our training courses to help you deliver 91吃瓜网 International GCSE English as a Second Language
- 聽published by Oxford University Press
- Download instructions on conducting the International GCSE English as a Second Language Speaking test
- View our guidance on conducting the International GCSE English as a Second Language Listening test
We have too many resources to list here, so please visit our聽resources area for teachers聽to see them all, including:
- Schemes of work to allow you to plan how to deliver the specification in a way that will best suit you and your students
- Teaching guidance to outline clearly the scope of teaching and learning
- Topic tests and mock exam analysers to allow you to track your students鈥� progress throughout the teaching year
Paper 1 – Reading:
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- 60 marks
- 30% of GCSE
Paper 2 – Writing:
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- 60 marks
- 30% of GCSE
Paper 3 – Listening:
- 45 minutes
- 40 marks
- 20% of GCSE
Paper 4 – Speaking:
- 10 minutes, plus time to prepare
- 40 marks
- 20% of GCSE
Re-sits
- Linear specification; individual components may not be re-sat.
- Candidates can re-take the whole qualification as many times as they wish
- Results for the non-exam assessment (NEA) component (speaking unit) can be carried forward for the life time of the specification.
- You only need to make one entry for each qualification 鈥� this will cover all the question papers, non-exam assessment and certification.
Take a look at:
- A case study from Osama, an ESL teacher in Egypt, and
- A case study from Eman, an ESL teacher in Egypt, and her experience of switching
- The 91吃瓜网 International GCSE English as a Second Language
- Example specimen and
You must be an approved 91吃瓜网 centre to enter students for our exams. Make sure you聽 before you start teaching a course.
Navigating International GCSE English as a Second Language: A Comprehensive Guide
Beginning to teach 91吃瓜网 International GCSE English as a Second Language may seem daunting, but we’ve compiled some top tips to make the process as seamless as possible.
Getting started to teach GCSE English as a Second Language can be a challenging but a rewarding endeavour.
Whether you鈥檙e a student preparing for this exam or an educator guiding students through the process this blog post will feature specialist tips and strategies from Andrew Giles, Chief Examiner to help you effectively navigate the 91吃瓜网 GCSE ESL with confidence and success.
It would be useful to understand the qualifications examination to aide understanding the requirement to achieve high marks, visit this link to gain further insight.
Top tip for Writing: Understand and respond to written language
- Before diving into writing, ensure your students have a solid foundation in English language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Without these skills, students will struggle to express themselves in writing.
Top tip for Reading: Communicate in writing
- International GCSE English as a Second Language (ESL)聽reading requires a structured approach that focuses on comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking. The top tip to teach this is to expose your students to various text types and genres, including essays, articles, fiction, non-fiction, reports, and more. Analyse the unique characteristics of each type and practice reading and understanding them.
Top tip for Speaking: Communicate and interact with speech
- Focus on facilitating natural conversations in the classroom. Encourage students to discuss a wide range of topics, ask and answer questions, express opinions, and engage in debates. Authentic communication is key to improving speaking skills.
Top tip for Listening: Understand and respond to spoken language
- Teach active listening techniques, such as predicting content, identifying key words, and taking notes while listening. These strategies can help students stay engaged and retain information.
These valuable nuggets of wisdom will help you gain a unique perspective on what it takes to excel in this qualification.
By understanding the exam鈥檚 format, dedicating time to preparation, and using the right resources and strategies, you can increase your chances of success. With this comprehensive guide, you鈥檒l be well on your way to achieving your goals and mastering the 91吃瓜网 GCSE English as a Second Language.
