How to get an A* in IGCSE ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE (0510/ 0511)

Summary

In this video, Habiba shares her tips for achieving an A* in English as a second language for IGCSE. She provides an overview of the exam structure, including the reading, writing, and listening sections. Habiba offers detailed strategies for each part, emphasizing time management, practice, and using specific techniques like reading questions first and summarizing in your own words. She also gives advice on how to make your responses stand out, including adding personal touches in informal writing and being creative in essays. The video is packed with useful tips for exam success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Habiba introduces herself and her success in getting A* in 8 IGCSE subjects, planning to share her tips.
• 📚 English as a second language consists of two papers: reading & writing, and listening, with an optional speaking section.
• ⏰ Time management is crucial, especially in paper 1, with only two hours for both reading and writing.
• 📝 Reading section: Focus on answering comprehension questions quickly, reading the questions first and locating answers in chronological order.
• 🔎 Writing section: Summary exercise requires sticking to the 100-120 word limit, using your own words, and emphasizing key points from the passage.
• ✉️ Email writing: Focus on informal communication with clear structure, addressing the friend with memories and using rhetorical questions and exclamatory marks.
• 🧠 Essay writing: Article structure requires discussing both sides of a topic with well-organized arguments and a formal writing style.
• 📊 Include relevant statistics or surveys, even if imaginary, in essays to support your argument effectively.
• 🎧 Listening paper: Habiba stresses the importance of practicing listening skills and staying focused during the exam.
• 🎯 Key advice throughout the video is to practice consistently, manage time effectively, and aim to stand out with creativity and attention to detail.

Q & A

What are the two papers in English as a Second Language?

The two papers are Reading and Writing (Paper 1) and Listening (Paper 2). There's also a Speaking section, but it may not always be required.

What is the biggest challenge in Paper 1 (Reading and Writing)?

The biggest challenges are time management and the high threshold for getting an A star, meaning you need to lose as few marks as possible.

How should you approach the reading section in Paper 1?

You should aim to finish the reading section as quickly as possible, ideally in around 40 minutes, to leave more time for the writing section.

What is the recommended approach for answering comprehension questions?

Read the questions before the passage and then locate the answers while reading the passage. For one-mark questions, give a direct answer without rewriting in your own words.

How do you approach the 'matchmaking' exercise?

Read each paragraph one by one, and then match the given sentences to their corresponding paragraphs. Use a pencil first if unsure, then review and finalize the answers.

What strategy should you use for the note-taking exercise?

Carefully read the questions to understand what points you need to find in the passage. Underline keywords in both the question and passage, and list the answers without using your own words.

What are some tips for writing the summary in the writing section?

Stick to the word limit (100-120 words), make sure to use your own words, and break the summary into two paragraphs if two questions are provided. Focus on eight points from the passage and ensure proper grammar and punctuation.

How should you structure the email exercise?

Start with a greeting, then create three paragraphs addressing each bullet point, followed by an outro. Keep the language informal, use short sentences, and try to show a personal connection with the recipient.

What is the format for the essay exercise?

The essay can be an article, report, or review. If it's an article, discuss both advantages and disadvantages of a given topic, then state your opinion in the conclusion. Use complex vocabulary, sentence structures, and imaginary statistics if necessary.

What are key tips for success in the listening paper?

Practice listening carefully, focus during the audio, and underline keywords in the questions. Pay attention to British accents and be aware of tricks designed to confuse listeners.