01. Course Content

IGCSE English courses assess students' abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, but different course types place different emphasis on these skills.

English as a First Language (EFL) focuses more on reading and writing skills. In reading, students are required to understand deeper meanings in texts and recognize the author's use of language and rhetorical techniques. In writing, students must produce appropriate essays for different text types, using advanced vocabulary and precise word choice. Listening and speaking are also included, but they carry a relatively small weight and are not counted toward the final grade.

From the above, we can see that ESL assesses students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a comprehensive manner, with speaking graded separately.

In addition, ESL offers two levels: Core and Extended. The Core level assesses students' basic knowledge, while the Extended level covers more in-depth content. The grading range for the Extended level runs from A* (highest) to E, whereas the Core level is graded from C down to G, with C being the highest grade attainable.

English as an Additional Language assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing equally, with each skill accounting for 25% of the total. The level of difficulty is relatively lower, making it more suitable for students whose first language is not English. This course aims to expand students' vocabulary and grammar knowledge, and to develop their ability to use English effectively in a variety of contexts.

The difference between syllabuses 0472 and 0772 lies in the grading system: 0772 uses the 9–1 grading scale, with 9 being the highest grade, while 0472 uses the A*–G grading scale. In all other aspects, the two syllabuses are the same.

02. Examination Content

The content and level of difficulty vary across the three course types.

English as a First Language (EFL) includes two written papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2 / Component 3. Paper 1 focuses on reading, while Paper 2 focuses on writing, each accounting for 50% of the total written assessment. Component 3 is the Coursework Portfolio, which requires students to demonstrate a higher level of independent learning in English—this is one aspect that makes EFL more challenging than ESL and English as an Additional Language. Component 4 assesses speaking and listening skills, but it is not included in the final written examination score.

Using ESL syllabus 0510 as an example, the ESL course consists of three papers. Core-level students take Paper 1, Paper 3, and Component 5, while Extended-level students take Paper 2, Paper 4, and Component 5.

Papers 1 and 2 assess reading and writing skills and account for 70% of the total score. Papers 3 and 4 are listening tests and make up 30%. Component 5 is the speaking test, which is graded separately for syllabus 0510.

For English as an Additional Language, assessment is evenly distributed across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with each skill accounting for 25%. The exam duration is relatively shorter, and the question types are the simplest among the three.

03. Course Selection

Many students struggle with how to choose the right course. It is recommended to consider both your current English proficiency and your future study or career goals.

If you aim to improve your English to a level close to native speakers and plan to study or work in a country where English is the main language of communication, EFL is recommended, as it will be beneficial for both academic and professional purposes. If your English foundation is relatively weak and you prefer a more secure option, ESL is a better choice. English as an Additional Language (syllabuses 0472 and 0772) is suitable for learners whose first language is not English, focusing on expanding vocabulary and grammar knowledge and developing the ability to use English in various contexts.

Regardless of the course type you choose, achieving high scores requires consistent effort. Students are encouraged to build clear knowledge frameworks, maintain regular reading habits, and we wish every student the best of success in their studies.

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