English — First Language 0500
Develop close reading and clear, purposeful writing. Explore how language works through texts, original examples and practice.
What you'll cover
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking and Listening
Published syllabus exam years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 syllabus map
2027–2029 syllabus · Version 1
3 of 3 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
17 original lessons map the Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening objectives in the 2027–2029 Version 1 syllabus. Reading includes comprehension, inference, evaluation, language effects, selection, summary and extended responses; writing includes directed responses, argument, narrative, description, structure and accuracy; speaking practice covers an individual talk and conversation. Open-ended writing and speaking are self-checked, not officially graded. Paper 2 and Component 3 are alternative written routes; Component 4 is optional and separately endorsed. The 2024–2026 syllabus and regional variants remain unmapped in this 0500 route. The separate 9–1 code 0990 course covers 2027–2029 only; its 2024–2026 syllabus remains unmapped. Human teacher review remains necessary for extended responses and oral assessment.
This route is the 0500 A*–G qualification for examinations in 2027, 2028 and 2029. Candidates take Paper 1 and either Paper 2 or Component 3. Component 4 is optional, assessed separately and endorsed separately; it does not contribute to the written qualification grade. The separate 9–1 qualification 0990 has its own 2027–2029 course route; its 2024–2026 syllabus is not mapped. Confirm entry availability and route with the centre.
Choose your paper route
- Paper 2 written routePaper 1 + Paper 2
Paper 2 is a 2-hour, 80-mark external written examination; candidates answer one directed-writing question and one composition question.
- Coursework written routePaper 1 + Component 3
Component 3 is a portfolio of three extended writing assignments, internally assessed and externally moderated; it replaces Paper 2.
- Optional speaking endorsementComponent 4
An optional 10–12 minute individual talk and conversation; separately endorsed and not added to the written grade.
View syllabus coverage
The three mapped areas are Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening. Practice texts and model responses are original; open-ended responses are not official Cambridge answers or grades. Component 3 requires three coursework assignments and centre assessment with external moderation. Component 4 requires an individual talk and conversation and is also internally assessed and externally moderated. The 2024–2026 syllabus and regional variants are not included on this 0500 route; the separate 0990 course covers 2027–2029 only.
Reading
- ReadingReading
Writing
- WritingWritingWrite a concise summary within 120 wordsRespond to reading in a new text formPlan for audience, purpose and formBuild a balanced argumentShape a narrative compositionCraft a descriptive compositionOrganise paragraphs and link ideasUse precise vocabulary and varied sentencesEdit spelling, punctuation and grammarCompare the written assessment routes
Speaking and Listening
- Speaking and ListeningSpeaking and Listening
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- ReadingPaper 1 · 7 lessonsRetrieve explicit meaning from a textInfer meaning and attitude from evidenceAnalyse and evaluate ideas with textual supportExplain how a writer's language creates effectsSelect information for a specific purposeWrite a concise summary within 120 wordsRespond to reading in a new text form
2 hours, 80 marks, 50% of the written grade; four compulsory questions based on three texts. Question 2(a) is a selective summary of no more than 120 words.
- Directed Writing and CompositionPaper 2 · 10 lessonsWrite a concise summary within 120 wordsRespond to reading in a new text formPlan for audience, purpose and formBuild a balanced argumentShape a narrative compositionCraft a descriptive compositionOrganise paragraphs and link ideasUse precise vocabulary and varied sentencesEdit spelling, punctuation and grammarCompare the written assessment routes
2 hours, 80 marks, 50% of the written grade; one directed response of about 250–350 words and one composition.
- Coursework PortfolioComponent 3 · 10 lessonsWrite a concise summary within 120 wordsRespond to reading in a new text formPlan for audience, purpose and formBuild a balanced argumentShape a narrative compositionCraft a descriptive compositionOrganise paragraphs and link ideasUse precise vocabulary and varied sentencesEdit spelling, punctuation and grammarCompare the written assessment routes
Three extended writing assignments; internally assessed and externally moderated. This route is taken instead of Paper 2.
- Speaking and Listening TestComponent 4 · 2 lessons
Optional 10–12 minute individual talk and conversation; internally assessed, externally moderated and separately endorsed. It does not contribute to the written grade.
Lessons and worked examples
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- 01
Retrieve explicit meaning from a text
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Not started - 02
Infer meaning and attitude from evidence
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Not started - 03
Analyse and evaluate ideas with textual support
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Not started - 04
Explain how a writer's language creates effects
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Not started - 05
Select information for a specific purpose
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Not started - 06
Write a concise summary within 120 words
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Not started - 07
Respond to reading in a new text form
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Not started - 08
Plan for audience, purpose and form
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Not started - 09
Build a balanced argument
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Not started - 10
Shape a narrative composition
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Not started - 11
Craft a descriptive composition
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Not started - 12
Organise paragraphs and link ideas
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Not started - 13
Use precise vocabulary and varied sentences
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Not started - 14
Edit spelling, punctuation and grammar
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Not started - 15
Plan and deliver an individual talk
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Not started - 16
Listen actively and respond in conversation
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Not started - 17
Compare the written assessment routes
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These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.
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Browse 3 topics →No StudyForA practice set is published for this exact qualification yet. Use the official papers below or in the resource guide.