IGCSE COURSE IN DETAIL
CHEMISTRY
Course name: IGCSE Chemistry
Exam board: Edexcel
The course is linear with a single tier assessment
at the end of two years. Pupils will sit two
externally marked papers.
Paper 1: 66% of the marks
Paper 2: 34% of the marks
Both papers cover the full course.
Entry requirements
Most countries’ junior high school or key
stage 3 science courses will provide adequate
preparation. Please contact the head of science
if you have specific concerns.
IGCSE COURSE IN DETAIL
CHINESE
Why Chemistry?
All the sciences aim to develop the skills
our pupils need to make informed decisions
on scientific and technological matters in
their adult lives. Chemistry is the effort to
understand and explain the world at a particle
level. A good chemistry IGCSE grade is
evidence of ability to think at an abstract level,
solve problems, be precise and work hard.
It is essential that any pupil wishing to study
chemistry at post-16 level should do this
course. Chemistry is a recommended course
for future study of many science related
disciplines including medicine and dentistry;
it is respected by employers in many other
fields.
We offer three different pathways for continued
study of Mandarin Chinese, each of which is
suited to a different type of learner.
– Those who know Chinese as a first language can
develop their understanding of literature and
hone their writing skills through the IGCSE first
language course.
– Those whose Chinese is not quite at a native
level may find the IGCSE second language
course more suitable, in which the focus is
broadening vocabulary and sentence structures
and on strengthening all four skills of reading,
writing, listening and speaking.
– Finally, the IGCSE foreign language course offers
a chance for those who are relatively new to
the language to continue their skills. This course
models the learning found in other modern
foreign language courses.
Syllabus content
Pupils will study concepts related to the
following broad topics:
Course name: IGCSE First Language Chinese
Exam board: CIE
– Principals of chemistry; chemistry of the
elements; organics chemistry; physical chemistry
and chemistry in society.
– Pupils will acquire a systematic body of scientific
knowledge and the skills needed to apply this in
new and changing situations in many domestic,
industrial and environmental contexts. There is
a large practical element to this course.
Entry guidance
First language Mandarin speakers who are
proficient in Mandarin may select this course.
Pupils wishing to pursue this course will need
to demonstrate native-speaker ability in the
classroom.
Course content
Candidates will engage with a range of
genres and types of texts, including fiction
and non- fiction, essays, reviews and articles,
as well as Classical Chinese texts. The course
focuses on the study of writers’ use of
language and style. Candidates would also
focus on the ways in which writers achieve
effects and influence readers.
Course assessment
Course aims
This course enables candidates to:
– Read a wide range of texts, fluently and with
good understanding and appreciating a variety
of language
– Communicate accurately, appropriately and
effectively when writing
– Develop skills of a more general nature (e.g.
analysis, drawing of inference)
Candidates will further develop their practical
communication skills in listening, speaking,
reading and writing. Candidates will learn
to select relevant details, understand the
difference between what is directly stated
and implied, practise writing for different
purposes and audiences, to express their
viewpoints with accuracy and clarity.
Candidates will focus on the study of the
following topics.
All candidates will take two papers. – Young people and education: education and
careers; peer relationships.
Paper 1: Reading, Directed writing and
Classical Chinese 50%
Externally assessed – Society: family relationships; health and
fitness; leisure activities; communication and
technology.
Paper 2: Writing 50%
Externally assessed – The world: geographical surroundings;
environment.
Course name: IGCSE Chinese as a
Second Language
Exam board: CIE
Entry guidance
Second Language speakers who have limited
Chinese proficiency may take this course.
Course aims
Course content
This course enables candidates to:
– Cultural diversity: life at home and in other
countries.
Course assessment
Paper 1: Reading and Writing 60%
Externally assessed
Paper 2: Listening 20%
Externally assessed
Component 3: Speaking 20%
Internally assessed and externally moderated
– Develop the ability to use the language
effectively for purposes of practical
communication.
– Form a sound base of the skills, language and
attitudes required for further study.
– Develop an awareness of the nature of
language and language-learning skills, along
with skills of a more general application.
– Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside
a knowledge and understanding of grammatical
terminology and linguistic conventions
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