The English language can be used to inspire, motivate, and challenge us in countless different ways. Language is an essential part of the way we interpret and appreciate the world around us! This IGCSE English Language course will enhance your ability to read, engage with and analyse texts of many different forms. We’ll engage you in critical thinking about the different effects and influences writers have on their readers in texts of the 20th and 21st centuries. You’ll also be able to confidently write clearly and concisely in a range of styles and text types, such as letters, reports, and interviews.
This course has been designed to provide learners with an appropriate challenge whilst ensuring that the assessment and texts are, as far as possible, accessible to all students. An English Language IGCSE qualification is useful for almost any career field because written and spoken communication is crucial for human connection and understanding. IGCSEs are the most widely taken qualification in the UK and considered the educational standard for school-leavers.
The English Language is a key asset if you’re interested in any career that involves written and spoken communication and requires a comprehensive grasp of the English language.
If you don’t pass the first time, we’ll support you to the next exam for free
Access to our Country-wide network of exam centres (guaranteed exam venue)
Get as much help and support as you want from your personal course tutor via email and phone.
You should allow for between 120 and 150 hours’ study time, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Our course is delivered via our online learning platform as this provides learners with a dynamic and engaging experience. Don’t worry, if you prefer, you can print the learning materials yourself. The learning resources are in a range of different media including videos, quizzes, and interactive activities.
Once you enrol, you’ll have up to two years to study and take your exams, and your unlimited tutor support will continue throughout this time. You will receive your logins to MyOxbridge (our online platform) to access the learning materials.
You can enrol now for examinations from Summer 2022.
You’ll be required to complete two GCSE standard written exams.
Paper 1: Reading: 2 hours, 80 marks, 50% of IGCSE.
This exam consists of structured and extended writing questions based on three reading texts.
Paper 2: Writing: 2 hours, 80 marks, 50% of IGCSE.
This exam consists of extended writing questions and a composition task.
We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our exam centres around the UK. Check where your closest exam centre is.
During your course, you’ll be required to complete various assignments. These do not contribute towards your final grade but provide you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor for marking and feedback. This will help you to monitor your progress. There is no coursework to complete.
Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive a GCSE in English Language, issued by CAIE. This syllabus (0990) has been chosen specifically because it is the best suited to distance learning.
Difficulty - Level 2
Entry requirements - GCSE English language assumes a good command of both spoken and written English. The course will expect you to read and analyse a range of texts from 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Therefore this course is not always suitable for those for whom English is not their first language. If you're unsure, get in touch and we can offer you some guidance.
In the opening section, you’ll work on developing vital skills such as closely and accurately reading texts, supporting your answers with evidence, and explaining inference. You’ll also work on developing summary skills such as note taking and paraphrasing effectively.
Moving on, you’ll explore the descriptive elements of fiction texts, interpreting and explaining the writers’ methods and attitudes. Additionally, you’ll examine the difference between ‘explicit’ and ‘implicit’ understanding, whilst reading excerpts from classic texts such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
Next, you’ll take a look at the style and content of discursive texts, in order to decipher facts, ideas, and opinions. You’ll deconstruct news articles, examining the author’s perspective and identifying bias.
In unit four, you’ll explore excerpts from two fiction texts: ‘Monologue’ by Hone Tuwhare and ‘Anna Karenina’ by Leo Tolstoy. You’ll read these passages closely, identifying how each author creates a narrative, defines characters, and sets a scene.
Here, you’ll explore how writers are able to influence their audience through form, structure, and language choices, whilst examining two interesting non-fiction text excerpts. You’ll also look at how writers express counter-arguments within their texts, and how they might use persuasive linguistic features such as imperatives.
In order to fully understand and interpret any piece of writing, comprehension is an essential skill. In this section, you’ll explore two fiction extracts including ‘1984’ by George Orwell. You’ll then try to unpick the implicit and explicit meaning behind the texts, paying close attention to the author’s choice of language.
Now, you’ll take a look at how to improve your analytical skills, whilst examining some non-fiction passages. You’ll discover how to recognise and respond to linguistic devices, figurative language, and imagery, and how to fluently express your own thoughts and ideas about a text.
We have some answers to common student questions, but if you can't find the answer you're looking for then please contact us and we will do everything we can to answer your questions.
Yes. there will be additional fees for your exams that are payable to the centre upon booking Your personal tutor can provide more details.
While there are no essential set texts. You might like to refer to the following recommended books for additional reading: (1) AQA GCSE English Language: Developing the Skills for Learning and Assessment, H Blackhouse and B Emm, Oxford 2015. (2) AQA GCSE English Language: Assessment Preparation for Paper 1 and Paper 2, J Branson and P Ellison, Oxford 2015. (3) Oxford A-Z of Better Spelling, C Buxton, Oxford 2013. (4) Oxford A-Z of Grammar and Punctuation, J Seely, Oxford 2013
You will have access to your personal tutor, via email, who will mark your assignments and guide you through the course to help you get ready for your examinations. In addition, you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide that will help you through the study and assessment process. Your personal tutor will be highly experienced in their subject area and qualified to teach.
Yes! You study the same curriculum, take the same examinations and get the same qualification. The only difference is that the course is specially designed to be studied from home in your own time.
We are able to offer places at partnership exam centres across the UK for our students, therefore, guaranteeing an exam venue. If you choose to find your own exam centre, you can, you will need to register with them as an external or private candidate. Fees vary across the country so we recommend enquiring prior to enrolment.
You will need to pay separately for your final examinations. Additional texts may also need to be purchased to supplement your learning on the course.
You can study this course from anywhere in the world, but the exams must be taken within the UK.