Page 16 - ELG2104 Apr Issue 475

ENGLISH EXAMS .

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We take a look at why the IGCSE is such a popular exam

s generally wealthy parents across
the world move to enrol their
children in English-medium
Ainternational schools, other
families still look to local private language
schools to help their children compete. One
popular solution is to have their children
sit the same English language exam as their
international school peers: International
English Language Testing System (IELTS) for
university entrance and, for 14 to 16-year- WORDS MELANIE BUTLER. PHOTO BY ANNIE SPRATT ON UNSPLASH
olds, the International General Certificate of
Secondary Education (IGCSE) English as a
Second Language.
An exam like IGCSE E2L often straddles
the English language versus English-medium
divide. Yet comments from school owners
about the test focus on how different it seems
from the main suite of Cambridge EFL exams.
“I get that a lot,” Peter Lucantoni, author
of the best-selling course book IGCSE
English as a Second Language (Cambridge exams are well-suited to those in bilingual classroom practitioners, does not think so.
University Press, 2018), says. “And, of course, programmes, for example CLIL programmes “As long as a teacher is aware of the IGCSE
it is different.” in Spain, or those who have studied English examination syllabus requirements and
Unlike Cambridge EFL exams, IGCSEs at private language schools. objectives, they will be able to teach it,” he
are offered in a wide range of school subjects. In some countries they are increasingly argues. “The Cambridge IGCSE in English as
“Cambridge International offers 70-plus popular with language-school students. “In a Second Language is very much a skills-based
subjects,” says Peter, who has worked in EFL Cyprus, IGCSEs in a variety of subjects are assessment. There is no explicit assessment
for over 40 years and previously owned a taken in international schools,” Peter says, of language. Having said that, it is obviously
frontisteria, or language school, in Cyprus. “but IGCSE English as a Second Language is important for students to demonstrate control
As well as Cambridge International, also used in the final year of frontisteria, so and appropriate use of language.”
Pearson and Oxford AQA offer IGCSEs E2L students take EFL exams up to B1 and then While some local language schools are
(Scotland has a different education system, move over to IGCSE.” moving into IGCSE, few of their counterparts
with an ESL qualification for this age group The exams, which vary somewhat in the UK seem to have taken note. Some of
that it isn’t available internationally). depending on which of the three of England’s the chain-run boarding schools which offer
IGCSEs are based on GCSE exams taken exam boards they belong to, are all skills the exams run Easter revision courses: David
by 15 and 16-year-olds in England, Wales Game and Oxford International College, for
and Northern Ireland. The international example. International Study Centres, like
equivalents are aimed at those aged 14 to The exams Sherbourne International, are also moving
16 wanting international qualifications. into this short-course market. The UK’s
Conceived for non-native English speaker are well-suited to booming private tuition sector – worth up
students at international schools, the E2L to £6 billion a year, according to one recent
exams are widely used at UK boarding schools those in bilingual report – is all over the IGCSE market.
and accepted as a GCSE equivalent by many Perhaps It’s time for the UK’s language
UK universities. They’re aligned with the programmes schools to dip their toe in the water.
Common European Framework of Reference
(CEFR). The Cambridge IGCSE at grade Peter Lucantoni is
C or above, for example, is equivalent to a B2 based, with no explicit grammar syllabus
level of English. or word lists. They cover the normal range Professional Learning
It’s easy to see markets for such exams: of general English topics – or ‘contexts’ – and Development
Spanish kids in bilingual CLIL programmes, but also focus on the English used to talk Manager at Cambridge
for example, or Chinese children in bilingual about current and future studies, a subject University Press. He
schools which switch out of the local mysteriously missing from many general has worked globally
curriculum into Western-style education after English course books at secondary level. in ELT for more than
taking their national exams at 15. Many of As for teachers, do they need to be both 40 years as a teacher,
the private schools in France, attended by EFL certified and a British state qualified trainer, course book and
20% of French children, now offer them. teacher? Peter, whose current work as a materials writer, and as a school and training-
Although originally designed for L2 professional learning and development centre owner. He works with teachers, at both
students in English-medium education, the manager keeps him in constant contact with school and university levels.
16 April 2021