English — First Language (9-1) 0990
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 (9–1) First Language English 0990 syllabus map
2027–2029 syllabus · Version 1 · 9–1 grading
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 for Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) First Language English 0990, 2027–2029 Version 1. Cambridge states that 0990 has the same subject content as 0500 and differs in its 9–1 grading. 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. For June and November, Cambridge lists 0990 in Administrative zone 3 and for centres in Oman and the UAE. Confirm availability for your centre and exam series with Cambridge International. This route maps the 2027–2029 syllabus only. Cambridge also publishes a separate 2024–2026 syllabus, which is not mapped here. Human teacher review remains necessary for extended responses and oral assessment.
This is the separate 0990 9–1 qualification for examinations in 2027, 2028 and 2029. For June and November, Cambridge lists 0990 in Administrative zone 3 and for centres in Oman and the UAE. Confirm availability for your centre and exam series with Cambridge International. This route maps the 2027–2029 syllabus only. Cambridge also publishes a separate 2024–2026 syllabus, which is not mapped here.
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. Cambridge states that 0990 has the same subject content as 0500 and differs in its 9–1 grading. For June and November, Cambridge lists 0990 in Administrative zone 3 and for centres in Oman and the UAE. Confirm availability for your centre and exam series with Cambridge International. This route maps the 2027–2029 syllabus only. Cambridge also publishes a separate 2024–2026 syllabus, which is not mapped here.
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
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
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
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
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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Not started
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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