Cambridge iGCSE English Language recorded webinars: Term 2 Descriptive and Narrative writing (Spring 2026)

Description

Live Cambridge iGCSE English Language Course – Term 2 (Spring 2026)

This is a set of recorded lessons from term 2 of the live online course designed to support students taking the Cambridge iGCSE English Language syllabus, (0500 and 0990 specifications).

In this block of lessons, we turn our attention to creative writing, focusing specifically on the descriptive/narrative composition assessment task on Paper 2. This question contributes significantly to a candidate’s overall grade, carrying 25% of total marks.

The first half of the term focuses on descriptive writing. We start by reading, discussing and analysing descriptive texts in order to understand the main features of descriptive writing. We examine key aspects of this kind of writing, including:

* Figurative language techniques

* Sensory imagery

* How to structure and sequence descriptive writing

* Exploring varieties of focus

* Varied sentence types and starters

Having a clear understanding of what makes effective descriptive writing, we move onto developing practical skills and strategies through discussion and a wide range of activities students are encouraged to complete both during and outside of class time.

During the second half of term, we explore how to write effective narrative texts.  We study several short stories and consider how, in addition to the features of descriptive writing listed above, stories include additional features and elements. We discuss:

* Plot – narrative arc

* Setting – often integral to plot and themes

* Conventions commonly associated with short stories such as flashback, flash forward, circular structures, unexpected or surprising twists/endings

* Characterisation and perspective

* Dialogue

Students are provided with the texts and the questions discussed during classes and have the opportunity to write up their responses in their own time. We look at model responses and student exemplars to illustrate effective responses.

About the Cambridge iGCSE English Language course

This course is designed to support students taking the Cambridge iGCSE English Language syllabus, (0500 and 0990 specifications). The course will be taught over five terms from September 2025 through to Easter 2027 with ten lessons each term. Students sign up per term and the Exam Preparation Course, which can also be taken as a standalone intensive revision course, will be taught for the fifth and final term. Students can sign up and join at any point. All classes and all blocks are standalone and students can purchase recordings of previous live blocks.

Using a live interactive webinar format, students will build their knowledge and understanding of the core reading and writing skills, studying the different genres and forms included in the Cambridge iGCSE syllabus. Lessons will equip students with an understanding of the conventions and key features of style, structure and register associated with a range of text types, writing for different audiences and for different purposes. We will cover the following key writing forms: letters, (both formal and informal), journal entries, articles, speeches, interview transcripts and reports as well as descriptive and narrative writing. Students will have opportunities to strengthen and practise their skills through discussion and a variety of activities and exercises.

All the texts and tasks we will cover each week will be provided so students can choose to complete questions either in advance or as follow-up activities after each live class enabling them to practise applying skills to past paper questions. The emphasis is on fostering enthusiasm for and the development of practical English Language life skills alongside demystifying the examination criteria and building confidence through self-assessment tasks. For those who have previously taken my popular courses for students aged 11-14, this course is similar in style and format, but with a more explicit exam focus and will act as a bridge between the current live 11-14/KS3 classes and the Exam Preparation Course sessions. This live course complements the complete iGCSE recorded course options and will cover different texts and tasks so there is no duplication of course content and you may sign up for both..

This course does not include marked assignments although a variety of supplementary resources, including past paper questions and exemplar material, will be provided to help students develop their skills for exam success. These resources will also help students broaden their reading and build knowledge of effective writing as well as extend their vocabulary and technical skills and the use of accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Recordings will be made available in Google Classroom. Once you have completed your booking, please look out for an email containing information on how to access Google Classroom and all the class recordings and resources.

Once you have completed your booking, please look out for an email containing information on how to access Google Classroom and all the recordings and resources. Please check your junk mail folder as the email can sometimes end up there.