IGCSE English as a Second Language: Listening, Writing, and Speaking
Preparing for your IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) exam can feel daunting. You are not just learning grammar
Learn how to write step-by-step answers, and score A* in your exam!
Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS & A Level June 2025 past papers are now available.
You may be asked to write an informal letter to a friend or family member. Often, the question will require you to describe or explain something, or it may ask you to say what you think about a suggestion or a plan. The exam question will give you some ideas, and will tell you what you should include in your letter.
Remember: It is important to show that you can write in an informal style.
Write a short introduction for this post:
Make sure that you follow all instructions very carefully and write the required number of words. Aim for 15 words plus or minus from the maximum word limit guideline.
For English First Language Extended syllabus, aim for 435 words or so; or in the range of 435－465 words.
For English as a Second Language Extended syllabus, aim for 145 words or so.
Though there is no penalty in writing more than the suggested limit, it would be self-penalising to wrote more as you leave no time for other questions.
When you write, use your imagination as much as possible, but remember that your answer must always be relevant to the question.
One way to improve your writing is by using more adjectives and adverbs.
Example:
We had food and the music was good.
The above sentence could be made better by applying some adjectives like the below sentence.
We ate delicious food and the music was fantastic!
For example: Up to nine marks are awarded for content, and up to nine marks for language.
“Content” refers to the relevance and development of ideas; “language” refers to style and accuracy.
Below are some important points about writing a formal letter in your IGCSE exam:
You may be asked to write an article or a narrative, describe something or to write something persuasive. It is important that you read the question very carefully and that you express yourself effectively. You should also show that you can vary the style of your writing, depending on the topic.
In all the English subjects papers, you’ll be required to summarise a text. Below are some important points to help you score maximum marks for this section:
You may be asked to write your opinion about something in the form of a newspaper article, or perhaps for your school newsletter or magazine.
For English First Language, be sure to cover all the bullet points given.
For English as a Second Language, usually you will be given help in the form of a list of ideas or other people’s opinions, but you do not have to use them in your answer. You are free to use your own ideas, just be sure to keep to the topic.
You must show the examiner that you can use the English language for a specific purpose and that you can organise your ideas in a logical way.
Although you don’t have much time for planning, you should underline the key word(s) in the question to ensure you do exactly what is asked.
Write very brief notes, putting your ideas into a logical order. Also, check for repetition. When you have finished your writing, check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
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616 responses
Hi,
Do you provide tutorial for Year 8 students who will be taking IGCSE English First Language Paper in the future?
Hi Vivian,
While we do not provide tutorial classes, you can consider signing up for our IGCSE Revision Course. You can read more here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/
If i exceed the word limit in the article or the letter, will the examiner read after 200 words? Will i get penalized for writing too much (like instead of 200, i write 300)
Thanks!
Hi Fatima,
You will not be penalised if you exceed the word limit in an essay writing. However, you have to make sure you can finish all the writing on time. If you wrote under the word limit, chances are you did not provide enough points to answer the questions, and might end up getting a lower score. While a few words below the word limit is fine, too many words below the limit ? you will end up being penalised.
Our advice is not to write too much. Aim for quality rather than quantity. This means to focus more on writing excellent English rather than a long essay.
On a side note, if you are writing a summary – DO NOT exceed the word limit.
Do refer to the syllabus: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-subjects-syllabuses/ to get a better idea of what is expected.
You can also refer to the mark scheme of past exams: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-past-exam-papers/
And use our model answers as a reference: https://www.skolatis.com/igcse-exam-resources/
Hope this helps 🙂
29th/of jan my english speaking starts give me some tips to pass in english examination…
Hi Ajay,
For Speaking exams:
1. Pick 3 or 4 practice exam questions that are different from each other (closest to what is expected in the latest syllabus). You can refer to the latest syllabus on what is expected during exams here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-subjects-syllabuses/.
2. Prepare answers to questions that are likely to come up
3. Find out how to pronounce the words and read them out loud.
4. Learn your answers by heart. Learn your answers one phrase or sentence at a time. Select a chunk and repeat it to yourself over and over until you?ve got it.
5. Understand and learn the questions. Look up any words you don?t know and learn to recognise keywords. Learn each question alongside the answer that goes with it.
6. Learn two or three idiomatic phrases or sayings and memorise them. Go for sayings that could be used to talk about any topic or topic-specific ones that you know you?ll be able to use in the exam.
7. Compile a list of topic-specific vocab that?s likely to come up. If you can, learn the gender of any nouns and the different tenses of any verbs. Learn the vocab so you can use and recognise it.
8. Get a parent or friend to do a mock exam with you. Pay attention to where you slip up and then work on improving those areas. [For Speaking] You should also consider recording yourself so that you are confident speaking English during your test.
9. Make useful notes.
Also, keep in mind to:
1. Speak clearly and try not to speak too quickly
2. Be confident. Be friendly.
3. And, there are no right or wrong answers in the Speaking test. You will be assessed on how well you can express your ideas and opinions in good English.
You can practice with the latest past exam papers as they have the newest syllabus format and continue with the older ones date back from 5 to 10 years. https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-past-exam-papers/
Hope this helps 🙂
No mater how hard I try, I can’t seem to get above a 60% in writer’s effect, could you please explain it to me?
Hello Zain,
For Writer?s Effect, you must build your ability to spot the required phrases or words. Besides that, you must also practise on how to elaborate those phrases and words that you have chosen.
These A* Model Answers could help you in this, and you are able to see what is an A* answer like:
https://www.skolatis.com/igcse-exam-resources/
My question is : when a directed writing question in first language English says to start with a particular line for eg start with “dear editor,……” So do we hv to write the two addresses? Please help
Hello Jasmeet,
Yes. You must always follow the instruction in the question. If you fail to include the needed addresses, you will not gain mark for this part.
hi,
I often face difficulties while attempting the writer’s effect segment in paper 2. I will be attempting the 0500 english paper in february-march. What is your advice on this?
Hello Sharanya,
For Writer?s Effect segment, you must build your ability to spot the required phrases or words. Besides that, you must also practise on how to elaborate those phrases and words that you have chosen.
These A* Model Answers could help you in this, and you are able to see what is an A* answer like:
https://www.skolatis.com/igcse-exam-resources/