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Some Updates on Project Progress

victortanws
 

Hi everyone! Have you guys been enjoying the site? You might notice that the site’s design is a little chopped up right now – do bear with it as we update certain elements of the site and grow it to scale!

Thank you for visiting, and do remember to share this project with your students and friends alike if you find the materials useful! We are also always looking out for collaborators, so if you know someone who is an English teacher or is a master of the knowledge of how to teach IGCSE English, please direct them to this page and ask them to contact me 🙂

Meanwhile, here’s what’s on my mind at the moment:

  1. Memberships: We will be introducing memberships to this site soon, which will bring you guys access to an expanded crop of materials such as sample essays, exam paper walkthroughs, and additional resources!

    We will be creating both teacher and tutor access alongside student access as well, and teachers will be able to request access for their students as well. If there is demand, we will also create institutional access for schools so schools can grant access to students as a whole; please contact us about your specific use case, and we will get back to you!

    P.S. I notice that some of you actually clicked on the memberships page right when I created it as a trial for the site – while we’re not quite ready just yet, thank you so much for your enthusiasm!!
  2. Live classes: We will begin organizing live classes for IGCSE 0500 Live English Tuition if there is demand – please fill in this form if you are interested in a trial class or if you are interested to register for a specific type of class, and I will contact you later 🙂
  3. Online store: We will be introducing a store where you’ll be able to pick up resources and materials that we recommend, which includes specific resources that we recommend, past papers, as well as resources produced by FirstLanguageEnglish and our team of experienced teachers and collaborators!
  4. Resources page: We will be talking about different resources that we recommend that you utilize in your journey forward such as study resources, specific books (where to buy IGCSE English books in Malaysia, etc), etc. This may also eventually just take the form of a blog post, but do bear in mind that it is something I think is important to discuss in the days ahead.

Thank you so much for visiting this site and for your support both on Facebook and otherwise, and I look forward to serving you guys further!

V.

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Empower Your English 0500 Journey: Maximize Learning through Active Classroom Engagement

victortanws
 

One of the most significant obstacles in learning how to excel in First Language English is the variability in the quality of teaching. Not every teacher is created equal – many have different levels of training, and even when the training is done, each person has a different styles and different life experiences which they bring into this work.

Even if a teacher is experienced and extremely capable at delivering the material, though, how much good can it do for you if you do not have the ability to absorb it at the point of delivery?

This creates a critical challenge for you as a student: How do you excel in an environment where your teacher may not be able to deliver everything that you need?

The answer to that is active learning – The act of taking control of your learning, putting the process of your knowledge acquisition into your own hands as you do your own research and study and practice so that you can gain the knowledge that you need to excel in the way that you want.

At the same time though, not every student is equally prepared to take their education into their own hands.

After all, some students may struggle with shyness, anxiety, or other barriers that prevent them from actively participating in class.

Yet, regardless of the situation, I firmly believe that every student has the potential to excel in English 0500 – but it will require some adjustment in behaviour, thoughts, and mindset.

In this blog post, I will share some practical strategies that will empower you to overcome these challenges and maximize your active engagement in the classroom. Ready? Let’s go!

To make the most of your learning and to begin the process of learning actively, you might consider the following:

  1. Acknowledge and Address Personal Barriers:

Before diving into active learning strategies, it’s crucial to recognize the challenges that may be holding you back. Be honest with yourself about any shyness, anxiety, or other personal barriers that have prevented you from fully engaging in the classroom. Seek help from a counselor or trusted adult to discuss these issues and develop a plan to overcome them. Remember, it’s never too late to make a change and become a more active participant in your learning journey.

  1. Ask Questions:

Asking questions can be intimidating, especially if you’re shy or feel unsure about the material. However, taking this step is essential for your growth as a learner. Start by asking questions in a smaller setting, such as during group work or one-on-one with your teacher. Gradually build up the confidence to speak up during class discussions. Remember that no question is too small or too insignificant—every inquiry contributes to a deeper understanding of the material.

  1. Take Detailed Notes:

Taking comprehensive notes during class will help you retain information better and improve your understanding of the material. Develop a note-taking system that works for you, incorporating symbols, abbreviations, and highlighting techniques to make your notes visually engaging. Review your notes regularly to reinforce your learning and to identify any gaps in your understanding that you can address during class or with your teacher.

  1. Collaborate with Peers:

Working with classmates not only fosters camaraderie but also encourages active learning. Engage in group discussions, compare notes, and tackle challenging concepts together. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and listen to others’ perspectives. This collaborative approach to learning can help you overcome shyness, build confidence, and deepen your understanding of the material.

  1. Practice Active Listening:

Active listening is a skill that requires concentration and effort. Focus on the teacher’s words, and resist the urge to let your mind wander. As you listen, try to make connections between new information and previously learned concepts. This process will help you to better comprehend and retain the material.

  1. Reflect on Your Learning:

After each class, take a few minutes to reflect on what you’ve learned. Consider the aspects you found challenging or exciting and any questions that arose during the lesson. Use this reflection to guide your study sessions and to identify areas where you might need additional support.

  1. Set Goals and Monitor Progress:

Establish specific, achievable goals for your English 0500 journey. These goals might include improving your vocabulary, enhancing your writing skills, or participating more actively in class discussions. Regularly assess your progress and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, remember that you have the power to overcome any obstacles and take control of your English 0500 learning experience. By employing these active learning strategies, you can maximize your classroom engagement and make significant strides toward academic success, regardless of the quality of teaching you have encountered in the past. Keep believing in yourself and stay committed to your growth. The sky’s the limit!

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IGCSE First Language English (0500) – What’s On Papers 1 and 2? (Reading and Writing)

victortanws
 

In IGCSE English 0500, you have to read and respond with understanding to a rich range of reading texts during the course as a whole as well as during the exam. And what do you as a student have to do? You’ll need to use these texts to inform and inspire your own writing, as well as write in a range of text types for different purposes and audiences.

If you’re just transitioning from performing simple writing in a syllabus that doesn’t require this, you might think to yourself… Doesn’t this sound awfully challenging? 

It is, especially if you’re not prepared for it.

Maybe you’ve studied for years, written essays, gone through countless classes with your teachers… But are you ready to embark on the journey of preparing for the IGCSE First Language exam?

As it turns out, the answer to that question in many cases is no.

Trust me, many students still are unprepared even by the time they reach exam day, and teachers often find frustration in having to guide their students on an ad hoc basis when something more significant and deeper is required.

This resource exists to bridge that gap.

While it seems like it may be a daunting task, you are here for a reason – so let’s learn about the challenge you’re about to take on!

The Plan:

We will start by talking about the syllabus as a whole and the specific ways in which you will be assessed in the assessment overview section; you can read it here in full, but I’ll try to write in a simple and conversational way to make sure that you understand what you need. Moving on, I’ll speak more generally about reading skills and writing skills and how to develop them before ending this post.

How fortunate that you’re here!

Anyway, let’s go on to the assessment overview.

As an IGCSE First Language English candidate, you can get your grade by either taking:

a) Paper 1 and Paper 2 together.
b) Paper 1 and Component 3 (coursework) together.

Coursework is a bit different and not related to this, but we will talk about it soon!

There are only two exam papers, and we will break them down for you.

Paper 1 – Reading – 2 hours (50%)

All candidates will take this paper. Candidates answer five compulsory questions on three texts, texts A, B, and C, and answer five questions in two hours.

The exam paper consists of the following tasks: 

Comprehension task: This question requires candidates to respond to Text A and Text C. Candidates respond to a series of sub-questions. These include short answer questions testing understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings (more on this later!). 

Summary task: This question requires candidates to respond to Text B. Candidates write their summary as continuous writing in their own words. The length is in the range of 100 to 120 words.  

Language task: this question requires candidates to respond to Text C. Candidates comment on the effect of selected phrases in about 200–300 words.  

Lastly, the exam requires students to write an Extended Response Question in response to Text C.

The Extended Response will take the format of one of the following text types:

  • Letter
  • Report
  • Journal
  • Speech
  • Interview 
  • Article

…So it’s crucial that you develop a strong understanding how to write each one of these! There will be more posts about this in the future, so make sure to follow this space!

Having gone over and understood Paper 1, let’s now proceed to Paper 2. 

Paper 2 – Directed Writing and Composition – 2 hours (50%)

If you choose not to take the Coursework Component 3, you’ll be doing Paper 2.

Paper 2 has two questions requiring candidates to do two writing tasks which are:

  • Directed Writing 
  • Composition Writing

These papers are where you’ll demonstrate the writing skills that you’ve cultivated throughout the course of your course, in slightly different ways.

Section A Directed Writing 

This is what candidates have to do: 

  • Candidates answer one compulsory question on two texts totalling 650–750 words in length. 
  • Candidates use, develop and evaluate the information in the texts to create a persuasive speech, letter or article. The length is 250–350 words. 

Section B Composition

Here is what you’ll have to do: 

  • Answer one question from a choice of four titles: two descriptive essay questions and two narrative essay questions.  
  • Use the title to develop and write a composition. 
  • Write about 350–450 words. 

Now, let’s talk more generally about what these exams assess: Reading skills and Writing skills.

We will talk more deeply about the assessment objectives in another blog post later on, but for now I will list them, alongside some thoughts about how to do well.

What do reading questions require you to do? 

AO1 Reading
You will be assessed on your ability to:
R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support from the text
R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers
R5 select and use information for specific purposes.

On the other hand…

What do writing questions require you to do?

A02 Writing

You will be assessed on your ability to:
W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect
W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context
W4 use register appropriate to context
W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

These skills take time to develop, and often require extra work and passion for the English language outside of the classroom in order to develop in the best possible way.

To understand meanings, for example, you must regularly be exposed to them – to analyze and evaluate well, you should be immersed in an environment that supports that. To appreciate effects, you must begin to think about language on the meta level as a form of communication and consider how it is used in various ways as you develop the capacity for critical thinking; to select and use information effectively, you must be discerning, understand context, and make good decisions.

All in all, to understand the three unseen texts that you’ll see and respond effectively, you need targeted and intelligent practice, some good habits of reading (this would be ideal!), good examples (to be provided on this blog in the members’ section), and potentially if needed, targeted tutoring and guidance to ensure that you can perform to the very best of your abilities.

In the meantime, do use this blog in collaboration with your English teacher and not replace them (this blog and the classes offered here reflect these collaborations!) make sure that you complete all your reading assignments, and make sure that you also practice active learning in class – make sure to actively read the texts and try to discuss the texts with your teacher and classmates, because it is what makes the difference between two students who spend the same amount of time studying but take on different strategies – the one who studies smart and studies consistently will tend to do better per unit time, have more free time, and end up achieving better results, and the learning that you’ll develop from that process is going to be much deeper and more valuable than what you would get simply by reading alone.

Do feel free to look at some of the blog posts here to support your knowledge – they are designed to help you learn how to write on a much higher level than you otherwise would through most conventional methods.

We’ll talk much more about the content of the exam and how to do well in it in the days ahead 🙂

Till our next one!

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