The international world
Exchange information and opinions about countries, languages, customs and celebrations.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Mapped to Cambridge IGCSE English (as an Additional Language) 0472. The 2029–2030 syllabus states there are no significant changes affecting teaching; revised specimen questions support bilingual learners. All four skills carry equal weight. Spoken prompts use browser text-to-speech, not Cambridge recordings; speaking recordings stay in the page and are not automatically scored. Check the exam-year syllabus, June series and centre availability.
Before you begin
- The syllabus is designed for learners whose first language is not English. Use familiar everyday situations, and practise asking for repetition or clarification when you need it.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What should you do first when a question asks for a specific detail?
What you will learn
- Understand main ideas and relevant details in familiar spoken and written material
- Communicate simply and clearly in everyday situations
- Use topic vocabulary and common language structures accurately enough for the purpose
Topic vocabulary
Build a small, reusable word bank for countries and nationalities · languages · customs and traditions · celebrations and travel. Learn each word in a phrase or situation, not as an isolated translation.
Notice which words name a person, place, action or quality. A context sentence helps you remember the word and select the right form later.
Language and communication focus
Use past forms for experiences, future forms for plans, and simple connectors to explain and sequence ideas.
When you do not know a word, keep listening or reading for context. Use a simpler expression, ask a polite question or check your understanding rather than stopping the conversation.
Practise all four skills
Read the original short text and identify its main point and a supporting detail. Then answer the questions in your own words where appropriate.
Listen to the original spoken prompt, answer before opening the transcript, then use the speaking recorder only if you want a private playback. The browser voice and checklist are practice aids, not Cambridge audio or official assessment.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What makes a short spoken or written answer clear?
Worked example
What can visitors do, and where does the event begin?
Show the worked solution
- They can learn a greeting, view photographs and ask questions.
- The event begins in the hall.
- It starts at 1 p.m.
Answer Visitors can learn a greeting, view photographs and ask questions; the event begins in the hall at 1 p.m.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
A school exchange starts on 12 October and lasts 8 days. On what date does it finish if 12 October is day one?
Give me a hint
Count the first day as part of the eight days.
Compare my reasoning
- 12 October is day one.
- The eighth day is seven days after the start.
- Add seven days to reach 19 October.
It finishes on 19 October.
Look for these in your work
- Inclusive count used
- Seven days added
- Date stated
Write a short invitation to an international food and language event. Include the date, location, one activity and a polite invitation.
Give me a hint
Use a clear opening and an invitation phrase.
Compare my reasoning
- Name the date and location.
- Describe one activity visitors can try.
- Invite the reader and say how to respond.
An original invitation with all four details.
Look for these in your work
- Date and location clear
- Activity described
- Polite invitation and response route
A visitor is unsure whether a local celebration is open to guests. Give a respectful question and one way to respond if the answer is no.
Give me a hint
Ask without assuming; show that you can accept the answer politely.
Compare my reasoning
- Ask whether visitors are welcome.
- Use a polite modal such as could or may.
- Offer to follow another suggestion if it is a private event.
'May visitors join the celebration?' If not, ask whether there is a public event you could attend instead.
Look for these in your work
- Respectful question
- No assumption made
- Polite alternative offered
Hear an original prompt, then review your own response
The spoken clips use browser speech synthesis in English when a matching voice is available. Voices, accents and pacing vary; these are not Cambridge recordings. Microphone recordings stay in this page and are not uploaded or graded.
Listening practice
A travel exchange meeting
Listen for the meeting time and the documents to bring.
Transcript unlocks after you check each answer.
Speaking rehearsal
Tell a partner about a celebration, custom or place that matters to you. Explain what happens, when it takes place and why you value it.
Use about 1 minute to plan your practice response, then speak for about 45 seconds. This practice timer does not reproduce exam preparation rules.
The recording is not transcribed. This optional text and the audio both stay in the open page.
Review your recording
- Did I answer each part of the prompt?
- Did I give one relevant detail or reason?
- Did I link my ideas with a clear connector?
- Could my partner understand my key words?
This self-review is not an official speaking mark. A teacher or examination centre must assess the speaking endorsement.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a detail that is true but does not answer the question
- Translating word for word instead of checking meaning and sentence order
- Giving an opinion without a reason or relevant detail
- Speaking or writing in long sentences that make the main point unclear
What can you explain now?
What is a useful response when one unfamiliar word does not stop you understanding the whole message?
Compare with the explanation
Use surrounding words and the situation to infer a likely meaning
Context helps you keep the overall message while avoiding an unsupported guess.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Name two useful words or expressions from the international world and use one in a new sentence.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.