Warm-up
Answer a few quick questions before today’s lesson about Skills & qualifications.
Listening
Listen to the recording and answer the questions in each part. You can replay the audio as many times as you need — click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific moment. Read the questions in each part first, then submit when you are ready; your answers will be marked together at the end of each part.
Listening — Planning for IGCSE ESL
This listening task is split into parts. The audio player stays at the top of the page so you can replay it freely — click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific moment. For each part, read the questions first, then listen and answer. You can change your answers until you click Submit; feedback appears once you submit each part.
Reading
Read the passage on the left, then work through the questions on the right.
Reading — Preparing for IGCSE ESL: Building Skills for Success
Read the passage on the left, then answer the questions one by one.
Preparing for IGCSE ESL: Building Skills for Success
As thousands of students across the globe enter Years 10 and 11, many face a critical challenge: preparing for the IGCSE English as a Second Language examination. This internationally recognized qualification demands not only fluent English but also strategic thinking and disciplined study habits. Success in IGCSE ESL requires students to master four interconnected skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each skill builds upon the others, creating a foundation for both academic achievement and lifelong communication.
The reading component, worth 30% of the final grade, tests students’ ability to understand complex texts, infer meaning from context, and analyse vocabulary choices. Listening assessments challenge students to extract key information from recorded passages at natural speed, often featuring authentic accents and varied topics. Speaking tasks, conducted in one-to-one interviews lasting 10–15 minutes, evaluate fluency, pronunciation, and the ability to discuss ideas spontaneously. Writing, the most demanding skill, requires students to produce formal letters, essays, and creative pieces that demonstrate grammatical accuracy and sophisticated vocabulary.
Experts agree that effective preparation begins with realistic goal-setting and consistent practice. Students should allocate at least 45 minutes daily to English, spreading their effort across all four skills rather than focusing narrowly on one. Building a personal vocabulary notebook, regularly listening to podcasts or films in English, and practising speaking with peers are proven strategies. Additionally, understanding the specific mark schemes and requirements of each paper helps students direct their energy efficiently. By developing these habits early in Year 10, students transform their relationship with the language, moving from anxiety to confidence as they progress toward their final examinations.
Vocabulary Practice
Practise the 12 key vocabulary items from this lesson through three exercises.
Vocabulary Practice — Introduction Unit
Work through all three parts. Each part uses the same vocabulary in a different way.
Writing Task
Your friend Maya is starting the IGCSE ESL course next term. She’s excited but a bit nervous about what to expect. She’s asked you to share your experience so far and give her some advice on how to prepare. Write an informal email to encourage her and help her feel ready.
You should address:
- Explain one or two things you’ve learned about IGCSE ESL skills
- Describe a specific study habit or qualification you’ve worked on developing
- Give Maya practical advice for preparing before the course starts
Speaking
Speaking task. Read the instructions, then complete the task.
After the Lesson
Reflect on what you learned and how confident you feel now.
Teacher Guide
Practise with
- certificationnoun
An official document that proves you have completed a course or met certain standards.
- equipverb
to provide with tools or skills needed
- expertisenoun
great skill or knowledge in an area
- knowledgenoun
facts, skills and understanding gained through experience or education
- knowledgeableadjective
to know much about a topic
- proficiencynoun
A high level of skill and competence in doing something well.
- qualificationsnoun
Official certificates or achievements that show you have completed a course or have necessary skills.
- scholarnoun
a person who has studied a subject deeply and knows a lot about it
- scholarshipnoun
an award of money for education
- specializeverb
to become expert in a particular area