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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Amal Elsayed
Kuwait
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616 responses
What are the different forms of persuasive techniques that a student can use. What are the different styles to start a new sentence .
Hi Anushree,
Persuasive writing is based on how you structure your sentences and the use of appropriate vocabulary. Support all points with proofs and think about how you might persuade your reader ? for example the use of tricolon, rhetorical questions, direct address perhaps. The points would be developed based on the question.
Hello I just would like to ask as i am highly confused on how do you actually structure and write down the Paper 3 Question 1 Directed writing.
Usually they give you 2 bullet points like:
-Identify and Evaluate arguments
-Explain why you do or do not agree with… views.
Are the 2 bullet points integrated with one another?
Is this an opinion based question since the article they provide usually lists the writer’s views and we can either go against it or support it with our views?because many tutorials i read keep saying don’t use your opinions and take ideas from the passage when writing
Isnt explaining why you do or do not agree with their views already done when we evaluate the arguments stating our advantages or disadvantages of each argument?Or is that 2nd bullet point wrote as a conclusion when we restate our opinions on their views in further depth.
How do we actually structure the whole thing?
I know it’s alot but if someone can help me.It will really be much appreciated
Hello,
The recommended structure for the response will be offered in the wording of the question, and you should follow this.There will be at least two factors to focus on ? for example advantages and disadvantages. You will need to make two lists before you start in order to make sure you have enough material for both sides of the question. The third element of this question is evaluation; you will have to decide which of the options is better, present reasons why you have formed this opinion and justify it. Though you cannot make up things which are not in the passages, you should try to use your own ideas in the way that you extend those of the passages, provided that they are ?based on the reading material?. You should try to use as many ideas from the passage as possible as they will all be relevant, but you will have to change the way you express them; all the material you use from the passage must be modified to suit the new genre. The ending needs to be definite and provide an effective and satisfying conclusion to the piece.
Help me to do introduction for exercise 6 and 7
Hi Evy,
In the letter exercise,
– Think about who you are writing to.
– Try to write as if you are talking to this person and you?ll automatically use the right tone and register.
– Don?t forget any of the bullet points ? you?ll lose marks if you do.
– Write a paragraph for each bullet point ? it will give your writing good balance.
– It?s a good idea to give your writing a start and a finish. If you don?t, it can become more like a story, and you might lose the tone.
In writing an article,
– Decide right at the start if you?re going to write about the topic from two sides (for and against) or from just one (your opinion).
– If you write a two-sided (balanced) piece of writing, don?t forget to include your opinion in the last paragraph.
– If you want to write only from your own point of view, include it in the first paragraph.
– You can use the phrases and opinions given in the question, but if you want to get higher marks, you must develop these ideas and not just copy them.
– Try to think of your own ideas on the topic.
– Remember to organise your writing: include an introduction, one paragraph for each idea in the middle section, and a conclusion.
Hi,can you please explain what we need to do in argumentative letter. We have paper 3 tomorrow and I have no idea. Thank you ..
Hi Leyla,
In writing an argumentative letter, write down all the relevant and logical points made by the writer. Evaluate each point and include your opinion. Then decide if you are in favor or against and how far you agree to the writer?s view. You can use the phrases and opinions given in the question, but if you want to get higher marks, you must develop these ideas and not just copy them.
Hi,
Tomorrow is my IGCSE English paper 2 exam, I’m facing problems writing summary, Letter and Article. PLEASE help..!!
Hi Era,
In a summary you should:
In the letter exercise,
In writing an article,