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FAQs

  • What is Cambridge IGCSE® (9-1) First Language English 0627?
  • Who can take this qualification? Who is it designed for?
  • We've been following the 0522 syllabus up to now - how different is the new 0627?
  • What does this new Cambridge IGCSE® (9-1) involve for learners?
  • When can I start teaching the new IGCSE? How long does it take to deliver?
  • Does Cambridge expect learners to study certain set texts or authors or prescribe a particular anthology?
  • Where can I find support and resources such as specimen papers and sample responses for the syllabus?
  • What support is available to help us to change or adapt to this new syllabus?


  • What is Cambridge IGCSE®(9-1) First Language English 0627?

  • Cambridge IGCSE® (9-1) 0627 First Language English, is the newest version of the First Language English IGCSE. It is an option for use in schools in England for examination from 2017.

    The qualification builds on the success of the current 0522 syllabus (taken widely in UK schools) and complies with all the requirements outlined in the Department for Education (DfE) subject content requirements for the new GCSE English Language (9-1) qualifications for use in UK schools from 2017.

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  • Who can take this qualification? Who is it designed for?

  • We recommend that learners who are beginning this course should have a level in English equivalent to first language competence. They should have previously studied an English curriculum such as that of the Cambridge Secondary 1 Programme, the Key Stage 3 Programme of Study within the National Curriculum for England, or equivalent educational frameworks.

    Cambridge IGCSEs (9-1) are general qualifications that enable learners to progress directly to employment, or to proceed to further qualifications in another subject area or at a higher level, requiring more specific knowledge, understanding and skills.

    Candidates who are awarded grades 4 to 9 in Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) First Language English are well prepared to follow courses leading to Cambridge International AS and A Level English Language, or the equivalent.

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  • We've been following the 0522 syllabus up to now - how different is the new 0627?

  • Schools who currently offer the Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0522 qualification, will be familiar with many aspects of the new Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) and will be able to continue with the same skills-based approach to English teaching that attracted them to the syllabus in the first place. The 0627 syllabus replaces 0522 from 2017.

    0627 remains a linear assessment, with all components sat in the same examination series. The syllabus will be graded using the numbers 9-1, where 9 is the highest grade; grade 4 is equivalent to a grade C. Candidates no longer follow a Core or Extended route and examinations are not tiered, meaning all candidates are eligible for grades 9-1. Whilst there is no longer a coursework option, the final examinations remain separate for Reading and Writing, retaining many features of the previous 0522 and current 0500 examinations.

    The syllabus retains the focus on all four skill areas, recognising Speaking and Listening skills and activities as beneficial to effective learning in English. There are five strands in the assessment objectives for each of Reading (AO1), Writing (AO2), and Speaking and Listening (AO3). The weightings of the assessment objectives across the whole syllabus are the same as for 0500, with Speaking and Listening not forming part of the final grade but reported separately. AO1: Reading has a new assessment objective (R2), which requires learners to compare the ideas and perspectives of different writers. Minor changes have been made to the assessment objectives and marking criteria for AO2: Writing and AO3: Speaking and listening.

    The 0500 syllabus, which is not regulated by Ofqual, will continue to be available as before for any schools who offer this qualification currently.

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  • What does this new Cambridge IGCSE®(9-1) involve for learners?

  • Focused on developing skills, the new Cambridge IGCSE retains three sets of assessment objectives organised clearly and helpfully in terms of Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening. At the end of their course, learners demonstrate their skills through completion of three compulsory components – Paper 1, Paper 2 and Component 3.

    Both Paper 1 (Reading Passages) and Paper 2 (Directed Writing and Composition) are equally weighted, externally assessed, written examinations. Component 3, the Speaking and Listening Test, is internally assessed and externally moderated. Marks for Component 3 do not contribute to the overall syllabus grade. Candidates who satisfy the conditions for the Speaking and Listening Test will be awarded Pass, Merit or Distinction grades. These grades will be reported separately on the certificate.

    Further detail on the requirements of Paper 1, Paper 2 and Component 3 assessments are available by clicking on the links.

    • Paper 1


    The focus in Paper 1 is on assessing Reading. Candidates answer questions on each of three passages - Passage A from the 19th century and Passages B and C from the 20th and 21st century.

    Question 1 requires both short and extended responses on Passage A, the 19th century text.

    Question 2 is a summary task for a specific purpose and audience. It requires candidates to respond in their own words to Passage B, changing the perspective from that given in the passage. Candidates respond to the summary question in one of the following text types: letter, report, newspaper report, magazine article, journal, words of a speech.

    Question 3 is based on passages B and C (from 20th and 21st century texts) and requires the learner to compare the ideas and views of the writers across the two passages.

    Paper 2

    The focus in Paper 2 is on assessing Writing. Candidates answer one compulsory question on each of two passages - Passage A and Passage B. Candidates use and evaluate the information in the two passages to create a discursive/argumentative letter or article. Passage A and Passage B will be from either the 20th or 21st century, or both, and will be thematically linked.

    Component 3


    The focus in Component 3 is on assessing Speaking and Listening. There are two parts to this Speaking and Listening Test.

    In Part 1, candidates present an individual task. This is a formal presentation. In Part 2, candidates answer spoken questions. Click here for the syllabus for Cambridge First Language English (9-1) (0627).


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  • When can I start teaching the new IGCSE? How long does it take to deliver?

  • The new syllabus is available for teaching now. The first examinations are in 2017 -in June and November. IGCSE syllabuses are designed on the basis of 130 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course. Guided learning hours include direct teaching and any other supervised or directed study time. They do not include private study by the candidate. However, this figure is for guidance only and in practice, schools may choose to organise their time differently, offering the course over one or two years.

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  • Does Cambridge expect learners to study certain set texts or authors or prescribe a particular anthology?

  • No, Cambridge does not prescribe texts or authors for study. There is no Cambridge anthology that schools are expected to have covered. During their course, learners should be engaging with a range of genres from the 19th, 20th and 21st century, developing their skills in preparation for their final assessments. Texts encountered and explored would include literature, fiction and non-fiction, along with other forms of writing, such as essays, reviews and articles. Study would include focus on writers' use of language and style and the ways in which writers achieve effects and influence readers. How influence may include fact, ideas, perspectives, opinions and bias would also be studied.

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  • Where can I find support and resources such as specimen papers and sample responses for the syllabus?

  • Teacher support is a secure online resource bank and community forum for Cambridge teachers. Go to https://teachers.cie.org.uk for access to specimen question papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and other resources.

    Sample responses taken from trials with IGCSE learners, along with accompanying commentaries from senior examiners involved in developing the course, are available to Cambridge centres on Teacher Support https://teachers.cie.org.uk

    An editable version of a scheme of work for the syllabus is also available on Teacher Support. This scheme of work contains further examples of resources, ideas and materials for teaching the course.

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  • What support is available to help us to change or adapt to this new syllabus?

  • Along with sample responses, resources and schemes of work, Teacher Support has a community discussion forum: https://teachers.cie.org.uk/community.

    This is moderated by a senior examiner and answers syllabus-related queries. It enables IGCSE teachers to exchange ideas. Cambridge also offers online and face-to-face training; details of forthcoming training opportunities are posted on the Cambridge International Examinations website.

    An editable version of a scheme of work for the syllabus is also available on Teacher Support. This scheme of work contains further examples of resources, ideas and materials for teaching the course.

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