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IGCSE English Language Tuition
Specialist guidance for Reading and Writing Skills (0500)
COURSE OVERVIEW
IGCSE First Language English (0500) Course Overview
Paper 1: Reading
EXAM REQUIREMENTS
2 HOURS 50%
You will be required to read and show understanding of 3 different non-fiction texts, usually linked by the same topic.
Question 1: This question tests your ability to understand vocabulary, implicit and explicit information using Text A.
Question 2: This question tests your ability to summarise information in your own words and assess the writer’s view using Text B.
Question 3: This question tests your ability to identify synonyms and analyse language using Text C.
Question 4: This question tests your ability to adapt your writing to use an appropriate voice and style to write a piece of non-fiction, using and developing details from Text C.
EXAM REQUIREMENTS
2 HOURS 50%
You will be required to read 2 texts and produce two pieces of extended writing, one piece of non-fiction, and one piece of fiction.
Section A: Question 1(a) requires you to evaluate the writer’s attitude using textual detail to support. This serves as a miniature version of 1(b) which requires you to identify and evaluate the ideas provided in both texts and use this to write a piece of non-fiction writing to the prompt provided.
Section B: This question requires you to write a composition piece: a piece of descriptive or narrative writing inspired by one of 4 prompts. It tests your style and accuracy: your ability to structure your sentences and writing with grammatical accuracy and construct a piece of writing with a consistent, convincing voice and style.
For the 2027 cohort, Cambridge have changed the specification of both papers. For Paper 1, this mainly affects the format and structure of the paper with some additional questions. For Paper 2, they have added Question A.
This means that all of the past papers available, whilst useful, will look different to the exams that you are sitting and will not include all of the questions on the paper.
MY TEACHING STYLE
How I Support your Progress
PAPER 1
I specialise in helping you to understand the requirements for each different section of the exams and creating tasks which break this down into manageable chunks. My teaching involves lots of practice for each question type and a step-by-step approach so that you know exactly what is required to achieve full marks for each question. For the longer questions (Question 3 and 4), I teach you strategies and phrasing that you can seamlessly apply to different questions so that you feel confident, regardless of how difficult you find the question phrasing or the provided text.
Paper 2: Writing
PAPER 2
I focus on how to deliberately craft writing and develop a style and voice to adapt to the different questions. For the reading components, my teaching prioritises a methodical and explicit approach to questions.For the evaluation question (Section A), we will use miniature texts to identify implicit and explicit information from the text and explore ways to evaluate these effectively in writing. For Section B, we craft narrative writing using a slow process that focuses on the foundation of successful short stories: believable character development, sophisticated description and well-written plots. For the descriptive writing, we prioritise different structures that help bring a scene to life.
100% of my students in 2023-2025 achieved an A*–B IGCSE English Language
During my iGCSE English Literature and FLE courses, Ms Grayson’s guidance had helped me to achieve results I thought were beyond my capabilities. She had provided us with foundational structures and understanding whilst also leaving room for our own ideas and connotations. Ms Grayson’s kindness, unconditionality and perceptivity had strongly influenced not only my academic successes but also personal growth - Giang, A* in Literature and A* in First Language English, 2025
TUTORING
Pricing
All sessions are 60 minutes and delivered via Google Meet. Prices start from $55 per session.
Tell me a little about yourself via a free consultation or the contact form and I’ll be able to advise you about what packages or options are best suited to your individual circumstances.