All things u need to know about English 0510/0500

The Chill Master · May 11, 2014

Revision Tips

Last minute revision tips and helpful hints along with useful worksheets on the structure and layout of various First Language tasks

Click on the attachment below
| Attachments:

Argument Writing Structure.pdf

Descriptive Writing Structure.pdf

English as a First Language.pdf

Formal Letter Structure.pdf

News Report Structure.pdf

Summary Writing Structure.pdf

Writer's Effect Process.pdf

YouTube Clips

Click here to watch a YouTube clip about an experiment in e-assessment
Click here: to watch a YouTube clip about the three different types of essays in First Language
Click here to watch a mock interview clip about descriptive writing
Click here to watch a clip on Exam tips

Engineering an A*
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Check out this creative and innovative presentation that compares writing an A* essay to designing an Audi R8.

Click on the attachment below.
| Attachments:

Engineering an A.pdf

Annotated Essays

Annotated exemplar essays:

| Attachments:

Essay.5.pdf

Wikispaces Tips

Exam preparation and other miscellaneous tips relevant to getting a good grade in the IGCSE first language English paper.

Click here to view: tips

Podcasts

Click here to listen to podcasts about IGCSE English as a First Language

Reflection Journal

Reflection Journal Entries that students have posted on their online classroom on Edmodo.
Click on attachments below.

| Attachments:

Reflection Journal 1.pdf

Reflection Journal 2.pdf

The Chill Master · May 11, 2014

IGCSE English Language Paper 3 - Tips and Advice

Question 1 – Directed Writing

this question usually has a persuasive element, in which case you need to provide REASONS/JUSTIFICATIONS for your conclusions/goals.
usually this question involves some sort of judgment/evaluation aspect. Provided a somewhat balanced perspective can give you more to talk about (as well as adding sophistication to your argument/evaluation).
like Paper 2’s first question, you need to include a blend of facts/examples/opinions from the information you are provided AND your own original ideas.
audience is a key factor in this question, especially considering that it is usually intended to be persuasive. Try to demonstrate that you are sensitive to the feelings, needs, position of your audience.
Check your mechanics (spelling, punctuation, etc.).

Question 2 - Creative Writing - select ONE topic (NOT one from each section) -- Argumentative OR Descriptive OR Narrative
- Argumentative
  - one good way to present an argument is to begin by simply outlining the situation/problem/debatable issue, then bringing up the counter-argument, then presenting your own (far better!) argument along with specific reasons/justifications for your opinion.
  - try to use (or invent) concrete scenarios or examples! Argumentative essays tend to fall down because of vague repetition of opinions, rather than convincing use of concrete examples. Imagine you are talking to someone who REALLY disagrees with you.
  - all opinions must be justified/backed up.
  - make sure you have a conclusion.
- Descriptive
  - show, don’t tell.
  - appeal to more than one of the five senses (although some visual images should probably be used, no matter what)
  - it is okay to have a few plot events, but do not get drawn into a situation where the plot takes over. The plot should just drive the description forward or add variety to the description.
  - limit yourself to one (or MAYBE two, if there is some sort of shift or change) scene in order to avoid racing ahead.
  - concluding a descriptive passage can be difficult. One strategy is to talk about the effect of the scene on a person, or the reason that the scene sticks in the narrator’s memory (or other similar ideas)
- Narrative
  - keep the number of characters limited – two major characters max. You want to develop at least one complex rounded character.
  - make sure that your story makes effective use of: character, setting, climax, tension (does not have to be a murder mystery to be tense. Tension just refers to gripping uncertainty about the outcome).
  - make sure that you use details rather than vague comments to show, rather than telling (“He was a bit hungry”à “He sank to his knees in front of the cake shop window and pressed his face against the glass.”) ß this makes use of subtext…which is one way to get yourself into the top band. It is all about implying things about a character/situation without simply stating them (the purpose: so that the reader can almost feel/see/hear/taste/smell/experience the moment for themselves). In the above example, the key subtext is in the words “sank to his knees” and “pressed his face against the glass.” The cake shop on its own would not be enough of a hint.
  - conflict is NECESSARY/VITAL!!! Having him run into the cake shop and munch everything in sight might be an option, but a locked door would create more tension/conflict (i.e. a problem).
  - the marking guide says that the use of flashbacks or time lapses can also help get you in the top band…but they can also destroy your story if they are not limited/carefully managed, because they can turn your story into something far too complex for such a short piece. A small memory of the man’s grandmother baking apple pies in the summers of his childhood might add to the above example.
  - stay conscious of Point-of-View - if you can imply that our view of the world is shaped/distorted by your protagonist, you will probably get a good mark.

The Chill Master · May 11, 2014

IGCSE - General Tips/Advice

Some general advice on tests/IGCSE:

Write in pen (like a grown-up).
Read questions carefully and thoroughly.
Flip back to the question periodically while writing your answer, in order to remind yourself of the question/make sure you are satisfying the requirements of the task.
Breathe. If you don’t, you may turn blue and fall off your chair. We don’t want that—it looks bad for the school’s reputation.
Be aware (especially for Paper 3) of the common errors in your writing while writing and proofreading. A few common errors in our class include:
- spelling errors
  - definite/definitely
  - separate
  - words with double consonants
  - homophones (sea vs. see, steak vs. stake, etc.)
- subject-verb agreement – particularly in complex sentences and sentences involving the verbs be and have.
- verb tense – this is a must. See the handout I’ve given you and ask me if you have questions.
- plural vs. singular nouns – non-countable nouns (water, peace, friendship) GENERALLY don’t take a plural –s.
- the vs a vs NOTHING – non-countable nouns cause problems here too - it is possible to ask for the water (the = more definite as to where it is/which water you are talking about) or ask for water generally, but to ask for a water is non-standard English – AVOID in written exams!
Make sure that your handwriting is as clear and legible as possible (unlike mine).
Don’t play it too safe. Be clear and concise in your writing, but remember: this exam is a chance to demonstrate your abilities. An exam full of simple sentences and banal pedestrian vocabulary will not get you the mark that you deserve.
Don’t cry on the paper. It smudges the ink.

The Chill Master · May 11, 2014

ENGLISH SYLLABUS 2012/13

IGCSE English Instant Revision
PAST PAPERS 1
PAST PAPERS

LISTENING 90-2003

LISTENING 2006-2012

IGCSE AUDIO TRACKS

IGCSE REVISION NOTES

ENGLISH LIBRARY
TEST YOUR ENGLISH I

TEST YOUR ENGLISH II

ENGLISH WITH AUDIO

ENGLISH LISTENING QUIZZES

ESLGOLD

IMPROVE YOUR LANGUAGES
DICTIONARIES

BBC ENGLISH
PAST PAPERS and AUDIO TRACKS

ESL AUDIO TRACKS

ENGLISH VIDEO COURSES
Huge English Grammar Worksheet Collection

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All things u need to know about English 0510/0500

The Chill Master

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