What is the IGCSE Programme?

The Year 10 and 11 French curriculum at Park Lane International School is based on the programmes offered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations Board, which has offered IGCSE subjects as an integral part of their international examination provision for many years.

The IGCSE examination programme has been designed for 14 to 16 year olds and is a two year course. It aims to prepare students for further academic success, including progression to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The IGCSE qualification is recognised by academic institutions and employers around the world. The IGCSE curriculum is also suitable for students whose first language may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination process. However, it is essential to note that English is the language of instruction at Park Lane and as such, students do require a good level of competency in this area in order to fulfil their potential.

When do students begin the IGCSE Programme?

The French IGCSE programme at Park Lane begin in Year 10 and is completed in the summer term of Year 11. Some students in the accelerated group may begin the IGCSE course in Year 9 and sit the IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 10. These students will then follow the B1 DELF course in Year 11 to further extend and prepare them for the IB Diploma Programme.

What topics will the IGCSE Programme cover?

Our Programme of Study (see all details here: KS4 Programme of Study ) is divided in 5 units:

1. I introduce myself

2. My family and my friends, at home and abroad

3. Where i live and what it’s like

4. Studying and working

5. The international perspective

We cover Units 1-3 in the 1st year of the IGCSE course and Units 4-5 in the following year. These 5 units provide contexts for the acquisition of vocabulary and the study of grammar and structures. The study of these topic areas enables students to gain an insight into countries and communities where French is spoken.

The 5 units of this PoS aim to cover the 5 Topic Areas outlined in the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus - French 0520:

1. Everyday activities

2. Personal and social life

3. The world around us

4. The world of work

5. The international world

Assessment at IGCSE

At the end of the two-year programme, students are assessed externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject.

Due to the greater degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of assessment for each subject. The final IGCSE examinations will take place in May/June and Year 11 students will be required to sit Mock exams in January.

The grading system is on an eight-point scale A* – G.

How does the IGCSE Programme relate to the IB Diploma Programme?

At Park lane, we will offer the IB (International Baccalaureate) Programme in Year 12 and 13. The Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year programme of international education for students aged 16 to 19 years. The IB Diploma Programme prepares students for university and encourages them to:

• Ask challenging questions

• Learn how to learn

• Develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture

• Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.