2NDE IGCSE Programme 2006 2007

2NDE IGCSE Programme 2006 – 2007

Definition of the Programme

The IGCSE programme which is being followed at the EABJM is the one offered by Cambridge International Examinations. The school is also now an official examining centre for these examinations and students in 2nde will sit their English IGCSEs at the end of the year in May. For more information about the IGCSE please consult the official Cambridge website:

Cambridge says: “The International General Certificate of Secondary Education has been designed for 14-16 year olds. It aims to prepare students for further academic success, including progression to A and AS Level Study, and equip them with skills for intermediate employment. It is equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and is recognised as evidence of ability by academic institutions and employers worldwide.”

In England and Wales students usually prepare GCSEs over a two-year period. They then take the exams at the end of Year 11 (2nde). GCSEs are also way to assess a student’s level at the end of their secondary schooling and they are a stepping stone to allow students to go on to further studies.

Why did we decide to introduce IGCSEs?

Firstly, we believe that the IGCSE programme is a challenging, interesting and exciting one for our students. It allows them to build on the language and literary skills they have been developing since they started at the school.

Secondly, the fact that students take an official examination is very beneficial for the students: it gives them invaluable examination technique and it also provides them with an added stimulus during the year.

Thirdly, the IGCSE is very good preparation for all the English courses we offer in 1ère and Terminale. Students who are considering doing IB A1 or the International Option of the French Baccalaureate can use the 2nde year to see whether or not they enjoy a heavy literary programme.

Finally, IGCSEs are recognised all over the world (please see the Cambridge website for more information concerning recognition) and therefore students can use these results to show once again their high standard of English.

EXAMINATIONS

Students in 2nde prepare TWO different IGCSE: a) First Language English and b) English Literature.

ENGLISH LITERATURE IGCSE

1. Skills assessed: students will be taught to develop the following skills:

1. Knowledge with Understanding

1. acquire first-hand knowledge of the content of literary texts
2. understand the literal meanings of the texts and the contexts of the meanings

1. Critical Interpretation

1. understand literary texts beyond the literal meanings in terms of the issues and attitudes they raise
2. recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language to create their effects of narration, description, characterisation and literary structure

1. Judgement and Personal Response

1. explain and discuss evaluations
2. communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to what is read

1. LITERATURE EXAMINATION

Students will be assessed in the following ways:

Paper 1: Open Books (2h15 minutes)70%

Students have to answer THREE questions based on the works studied during the year.

In the year 2006-7 students will answer questions on:

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Songs of Ourselves.: a selection of 15 poems taken from this poetry anthology

The essay questions fall into three different categories:

1. Text commentary: students must do close analysis of an extract from the work studied or of a poem.
2. Literary essay questions: students must write a literary essay question which explores theme, character, setting or style.
3. Empathic or creative tasks: these require the student to adopt the voice of one of the characters e.g. Imagine you are character X from the novel, write a letter to character Y explaining how you feel after the event.

IMPORTANT

Students are allowed to take their works into the examination with them BUT they must not write in them. Underlining or highlighting is not allowed either. Works with notes in them will be taken away from the student. Students who forget their works on the day of the examination will have to sit the examination without their works.

Paper 2: Coursework30%

Students also have to complete TWO pieces of coursework. Students have already completed one piece of coursework in 3ème.

The second piece of coursework will be based on the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

It is VERY important that students do not copy their work as they will be penalised if they do so. Teachers will not sign the student’s work if they feel it is not their own work.

Teachers will give students guidance on how to do the coursework and on how it is graded.

FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH IGCSE

Students are evaluated in May when they will take two written examinations:

Paper 1: Reading CORE Level1h45

OR50%

Paper 2: Reading EXTENDED Level2h

Students choose between CORE and EXTENDED Level. The Core Level exam paper is easier BUT students can only achieve grades C – G.

If students choose to do the more difficult Extended Level Paper they can achieve grades A* - E but there is also a risk that they will fail the exam.

Teachers will help students to decide which exam level they should take. Students should remember that the Extended Level reading passages are very challenging.

Students are tested on:

-comprehension of the text

-summary skills

-ability to write using knowledge taken from the text

Paper 3: Directed Writing and Composition2 hours50%

This examination paper consists of TWO essay questions. Students will be prepared for the following types of writing skills:

-letter writing

-writing reports, magazine articles, speeches, conversations, diaries

-argumentative writing

-discursive writing

-descriptive writing

-narrative writing

In order to prepare for this programme students will use the IGCSE Cambridge First Language English Textbook.