IGCSE ESL – How to get an A*
1. Style of your writing
Making sure you write in the style that the question asks you to is vital to gaining high language marks. A more detailed guide for each writing can be found by clicking on the link.
Summary Writing – Write this in a summary format, this means no introduction or conclusion, just get to the point! Connect the points using linking words and rephrase the points from the article into your own words if you can!
Informal Letter – Write this in a friendly informal letter style, Do not write this as if you were texting your friends on Snapchat. This is more like an email to a friend/relative.
Discursive Writing – This is usually an article for your school magazine, write this as if you were writing an actual article for your school, think about the language you would use.
- Linking words
Linking words are very important in your writing especially in your summary and discursive writings, make sure you have a range of them off the top of your head. Some of the ones I found very useful were, To begin with, In addition, Next, For example, By this I mean. etc…
- Vocabulary
Always use a range of vocabulary but don’t try to force any difficult words that you’re unsure of into your ESL writings, not only it wouldn’t fit in any of the questions, chances are you’re gonna make mistakes which may interfere with the examiner’s understanding of your writing.
- Language and idioms
In order to attain high marks for your language in exercises 6 and 7, you will need to put idioms into your writing. Even though idioms are difficult for many students who are not native English speakers, there are a few ones that are really easy to use such as “a piece of cake” or “busy as a bee”. Just remember one or two general ones for the exam but make sure you use it correctly otherwise it can cause more harm than good!
- Simple instructions
Excercise 3 asks you to fill in a form based on an article about someone. Complete this task as if you were filling in an important document. All names and addresses MUST begin with a capital letter. Make sure you read the instructions carefully, the exam keeps changing the format of the application e.g. Sometimes it asks you to tick the box, circle the answer or write a line through it and in section C you MUST stay within the word count otherwise you won’t get the marks. Losing small easy marks on this question can stop you from getting an A*!
- Practice, Practice, Practice,
Practice by doing A LOT of past paper questions, Do at least one paper a week so you can get used to the exam format as this can make you feel less nervous when you take the real exam!
Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) Notes – 0510/0511
