Cambridge iGCSE English Language live webinar class Term 2 (with tutor-marked assignments)

Description

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

This term, we will devote 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 will focus on descriptive writing. We will start by reading, discussing and analysing descriptive texts in order to understand the features of descriptive writing. We will 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 will move onto developing practical skills and strategies, developed through discussion and a wide range of activities students can complete both during and outside of class time.

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

* Plot

* Characterisation

* Dialogue

Throughout the term, students will be provided with the texts and the questions we discuss during class and have the opportunity to write up their responses in their own time. We will 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 have the option of purchasing 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.

Students can attend live and/or watch recordings. Live sessions will be recorded and made available to all students so they can review material at any time.

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.

This course option includes a limited number of places available for students who wish to have two assignments marked across the term: one assignment will be set and marked half way through the term and the second at the end of the term as progress check ‘mini mocks’ to help students monitor and track their progress and learn from feedback on their responses.

A variety of supplementary resources will be provided to give students the opportunity to broaden their reading and build their knowledge of effective writing as well as extend their vocabulary and their technical skills and the use of accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Classes will be held on Mondays from 9am-10am. Dates for the webinars are as follows:

Dates for the webinars are as follows:

January 12th, 19th, 26th

February 2nd, 9th

**No lesson February 16th – half term break**

February 23rd

March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

Recordings will be made available in Google Classroom shortly after each week’s live event, so students are able to review what is covered each each week, together with an optional written task for students to complete if they wish to in their own time.

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 ensure you reply to this email and provide your child’s/children’s name/s so I can add them to the register.