IGCSE ESL – How to get an A*

By Published ESL Paper 2

IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) Tips on achieving an A*

Opening my IGCSE ESL exam results on the 17th of January 2018 was an exciting moment for me. After many years of preparing for the exam, all the hard work paid off at this moment. Here are my tips and advice on that achieving a high grade in this test.

 

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. My example can be found Here

2. 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…

More examples can be found at this link  http://www.smart-words.org/linking-words/transition-words.html

3. 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.

4. 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!

Idiom examples – http://examples.yourdictionary.com/idioms-for-kids.html

5. 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*!

6. 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!

Past papers – Papa Cambridge link or  CIE’s website

If you have any questions feel free to ask me in the comments section below. Good luck with your exams!

 

*The information here is only from my experience from taking the Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Langauge (count in speaking) 0511 exam.

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43 Replies to “IGCSE ESL – How to get an A*”

  1. aysha

    I got a B in the last session and i have not practiced ever since, my exam is in 4 days, and i am planning on solving 6 papers or so before the exam, do you think i can reach the A?

    • Thames

      Hi Aysha, 6 papers in 4 days is plenty! Just make sure you time yourself when practicing and stay within the time limit. On the day of the exam, just do what you have been practicing, make sure you keep your writings simple and manage your time wisely.

      You can do it! Good Luck! 🙂

  3. Isla

    Hi, for Ex 6 and 7, do you think I might be able to get maximum marks for language if I don’t use complicated words. Because I am lacking in vocabulary and the last time I tried, it ended up being marked as a mistake cause I didn’t use it properly. Thank you.

    • Thames

      You can get VERY high marks without using any complicated words! Just make sure you don’t repeat the same words too often especially in Q7. The mark scheme for full language marks says you need to have a range of language (Doesn’t mean they have to be complicated!).

      Hope I helped and good luck with your exams! 🙂

  4. JD

    if i used a WRONG WORD IN THE WRITING in one sentence not linked with the others will that affect both my language and content marks and b how much do u think. pls ASAP

    • Thames

      Well it depends how incorrect the usage is, if its completely wrong then maybe you might lose a content mark, everybody makes mistake, especially in exams, people mix up words when they are in a rush. Don’t worry about it, its only a mark.

    • Thames

      I was certain on getting an A* months before I took it. This was because I revised early and practiced by doing lots of past papers which were marked A or A* by my teacher. On the day of the exam I got influenza virus which made me very sick and had high fever throughout the day, I managed to get through the paper but felt less confident, minutes before opening my results I still felt unconfident because I was so sick during the exam but at the end I got the grade I wanted 🙂

  6. bedarken

    Hello, I have a question in Excercise 6 (email) i scribbled alot does that affect my grade

  7. Ghadeer

    1)
    I know that articles should be written in a neutral register, not formal and not informal. So can you tell me what things I shouldn’t do, for example no use of I/we or…, and what should I do to write in neutral register.
    2)
    what is the different when they ask to write your views and when they a ask you to write your opinions.
    3)
    Should we study only for magazine articles and editorial newspaper articles?
    4)
    what are the best ways to start an article?
    5)
    What are the best ways to end an article?

    I know that I asked many question but I really hope you will answer them and i am grateful and thankful for that in advance.

  8. Nada Atef

    Hi! Should we contract words in the summary writing?? And does writing a letter within 202 words and not exceeding the lines provided is acceptable; will it decrease my marks I mean??

  10. Johnny

    Hi!…I just wanted to know about the structure used for summary writing..forexample..number of lines used in a paragraph…generelizations time fixers etc. Thank You!

  12. Rero

    Hey I just got my November results and for the third time i got an A. I always miss the star for just one or two marks. May/June 2019 is my last session and I don’t know what to do to get an A* 🙁

  13. Gayathri

    Hey what should I do with my exams to score a* in endorsement and in my writing
    I’m really worried ….. Can you tell me a link in which I can see other before A* candidates exam sheets through via online

  14. Omer

    Hi There! I have a question that Ive been lacking through 2 years is that
    1. I dont get much time on exams.
    2. I dont use linking words oftenly, but when i do it doesnt makes sense.
    3. I dont know how to write summary correctly.
    4. I dont use full stop or comma that much in writing is that the thing i am not successfull
    5. Can you help with Comprehension
    6. This is my last year to pass my exam and if i dont do it ill waste my year again and again and wont pass IGCSE.
    I am getting only UNGRADED in English for last 3 exams
    Please help me with it ASAP.

  15. Y

    I am a self-studying student.
    My problem is that once I solve, I do not have anyone to check my papers, so I do not know whether my answers are right or wrong.
    Do you have any advice on what I should do?

  17. Jalal Alkichk

    Hey can you help me with Managing my time better. I have Problems with time Limits and often get stressed.

  19. cookie

    hi wanted to ask how i could choose my range of vocab ,since im not gd in my vocab or could you suggest any websites?

  21. noha

    My exam is in 2 months and I don’t know sh*t about English writing. Can u PLEASE help me out by giving me some advices on how to practice and improve. Also, is it possible to get an A just by practing for 2 months? Please reply im really stressed rn 🙁

  22. Jose

    Hi what about report writing? I found different samples of reports written in different formats. which one is needed for examination?

  24. praneeth paruchuri

    hi am weak in ESL and i am writing my borades on feb 17 2020
    can you help me
    in email and letter
    i am igcse student
    for first time
    pls help me on note making

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