Chinese — First Language 0509
Develop close reading and clear, purposeful writing. Explore how language works through texts, original examples and practice.
What you'll cover
- Reading assessment objective
- Writing assessment objective
- Reading and language analysis
- Source synthesis and writing
- Classical reading
- Composition form
Published syllabus exam years: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Chinese 0509 syllabus map
2026–2027 and 2028–2029
17 of 17 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
12 original lessons provide explained examples and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice for all ten assessment objectives, the three Paper 1 sections and two Paper 2 composition forms. The two papers are each weighted 50%. Cambridge recommends first-language competence and about 130 guided learning hours; this sequence is a starter, not a complete course. The 2026–2027 and 2028–2029 syllabuses specify the June series and allow private candidates. Confirm the exam-year syllabus, administrative-zone timetable and centre arrangements with Cambridge and the exams officer. This is an original online starter guide, not the complete approximately 130 guided learning hours, full-length timed papers, a Cambridge mark scheme, or an official grade. The short Chinese examples and all Chinese-language instruction need review by a qualified first-language Chinese teacher before publication. StudyForA self-checks cannot judge character formation, idiom, register or literary interpretation to Cambridge standards. Classical Chinese practice here teaches an approach but does not provide a complete, teacher-checked collection of Ming-dynasty texts.
Cambridge currently publishes a 2026–2027 syllabus and a separate 2028–2029 syllabus. The newer version reports no significant changes affecting teaching. The published 2028–2029 syllabus covers exams in 2028 and 2029; no 2030 syllabus is listed on the subject page.
Choose your paper route
- Exams in 2026–2027Paper 1 Reading and Directed Writing · Paper 2 Writing · A*–G
Use the 2026–2027 syllabus. Paper 1 includes Reading and Directed Writing and an unseen Classical Chinese section; Paper 2 has two composition sections. The 2026–2027 and 2028–2029 syllabuses specify the June series and allow private candidates. Confirm the exam-year syllabus, administrative-zone timetable and centre arrangements with Cambridge and the exams officer.
- Exams in 2028–2029Paper 1 Reading, Directed Writing and Classical Chinese · Paper 2 Writing · A*–G
The 2028–2029 Version 1 syllabus says there are no significant changes affecting teaching. Exams are June only; confirm the year, zone and centre entry before booking.
Cambridge recommends a level of Chinese equivalent to first-language competence and about 130 guided learning hours. This online starter guide is much shorter and is not a complete programme.
View syllabus coverage
All ten assessment objectives, three Paper 1 sections, both Paper 2 writing sections and the modern/classical text scope link to original starter lessons. Chinese examples, character forms, classical literary guidance and writing instruction need qualified teacher review. Full-length timed papers, a complete Ming-dynasty practice collection and the approximately 130-hour course remain outstanding. This is an original online starter guide, not the complete approximately 130 guided learning hours, full-length timed papers, a Cambridge mark scheme, or an official grade. The short Chinese examples and all Chinese-language instruction need review by a qualified first-language Chinese teacher before publication. StudyForA self-checks cannot judge character formation, idiom, register or literary interpretation to Cambridge standards. Classical Chinese practice here teaches an approach but does not provide a complete, teacher-checked collection of Ming-dynasty texts.
Reading assessment objective
- Identify and interpret explicit information and attitudesR1
- Identify and interpret implicit information and attitudesR2
- Explain how language and structure achieve effectsR3
- Analyse and evaluate facts, ideas and opinionsR4
- Select information for a specific purposeR5
Writing assessment objective
- Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginativelyW1
- Synthesize information, sequence facts and develop ideasW2
- Use a range of appropriate vocabularyW3
- Use tone, style and register for audience and contextW4
- Write characters accurately and use punctuation and grammarW5
Reading and language analysis
- Paper 1 Section 1 · modern fiction comprehension and use of languageP1-S1
Source synthesis and writing
- Paper 1 Section 2 · directed writing from linked sourcesP1-S2
Classical reading
- Paper 1 Section 3 · unseen Classical ChineseP1-S3
Composition form
- Paper 2 Section 1 · argumentative or discursive writingP2-S1
- Paper 2 Section 2 · descriptive or narrative writingP2-S2
Official content scope
- Modern fiction and non-fiction genresCONTENT-MODERNRead for explicit information and attitudeInfer meaning, feeling and viewpointExplain how language and structure create effectsEvaluate facts, opinions and evidenceSelect and synthesise details for a purposeWrite a source-based directed responseApproach an unfamiliar Classical Chinese passageMatch tone and form to audience and purposePlan across both examination papers
- Classical Chinese proseCONTENT-CLASSICAL
Quality limitation
- Qualified Chinese-language and literary reviewCHINESE-REVIEW · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Assessment limitation
- Full-length year-specific timed papersTIMED-PAPERS · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Content limitation
- Teacher-reviewed Ming-dynasty practice collectionCLASSICAL-COLLECTION · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- Reading, Directed Writing and Classical ChinesePaper 1 · 9 lessonsRead for explicit information and attitudeInfer meaning, feeling and viewpointExplain how language and structure create effectsEvaluate facts, opinions and evidenceSelect and synthesise details for a purposeWrite a source-based directed responseApproach an unfamiliar Classical Chinese passageMatch tone and form to audience and purposePlan across both examination papers
2 hours 15 minutes · 60 marks · 50% · externally assessed. Section 1 modern fiction comprehension and use of language (23); Section 2 directed writing from two linked non-fiction passages (25); Section 3 unseen Ming-dynasty Classical Chinese reading (12). Candidates may answer in simplified or traditional Chinese; dictionaries are not allowed.
- Writing · two composition sectionsPaper 2 · 5 lessonsPaper 2 · write an argument or discussionPaper 2 · shape a description or narrativeEdit characters, vocabulary and punctuationMatch tone and form to audience and purposePlan across both examination papers
2 hours · 50 marks · 50% · externally assessed. Choose one argumentative or discursive title (25 marks) and one descriptive or narrative title (25 marks); about 400–600 characters for each.
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
Choose a lesson, try the practice and explain the idea without your notes. Your study checks help you decide what to review.
- 01
Read for explicit information and attitude
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
Infer meaning, feeling and viewpoint
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 03
Explain how language and structure create effects
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 04
Evaluate facts, opinions and evidence
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
Select and synthesise details for a purpose
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 06
Write a source-based directed response
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 07
Approach an unfamiliar Classical Chinese passage
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 08
Paper 2 · write an argument or discussion
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 09
Paper 2 · shape a description or narrative
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 10
Edit characters, vocabulary and punctuation
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 11
Match tone and form to audience and purpose
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 12
Plan across both examination papers
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started
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