IGCSE English
First Language,
examiner-led.
Cambridge 0500 and 0990 — the first-language English course taken by native and near-native speakers. Directed writing, composition, reading comprehension and full examiner-style marking from real examiners.
The Cambridge first-language English qualification. Directed writing, composition and reading comprehension — graded to A*/9 standards.
Writing grades are trainable. We prove it every year.
IGCSE English First Language (0500) is taken by students whose English is strong enough to sit a native-speaker qualification. The paper structure tests directed writing, composition, reading comprehension and summary skills. Every one of those skills is trainable — with the right framework.
Why families come to us for English
Most Vietnamese students in international schools are perfectly capable of reaching grade A/7 in 0500, but plateau at B because no one has taught them the exam-specific writing structures the mark scheme rewards. That is almost the entire gap — and it is fixable in 8–12 weeks of focused coaching.
Our coaching
Every Times Edu 0500 student writes one directed response and one composition per week, both marked against the real examiner rubric (Content, Structure, Style and Accuracy). Feedback is specific — not "good work", but "your second paragraph dropped from a Band 4 to a Band 3 because the tone shifted mid-sentence."
The full content we cover in 1:1 lessons.
Every Times Edu English First Language mentor maps lessons directly to the official syllabus objectives below — so nothing on the exam is a surprise.
Directed Writing
Letters, reports, articles and speeches for specified audiences.
Composition
Narrative and descriptive writing at length.
Reading Comprehension
Short and long passages with inference and tone questions.
Summary Writing
Condensing long source material into 120–160 words.
Tone & Register
Formal vs informal, emotive vs analytical, persuasive vs descriptive.
Paragraphing
Topic sentences, development, cohesion and transitions.
Vocabulary
Precise word choice, figurative language and register shifts.
Exam Timing
Pacing across Paper 1 and Paper 2 under real conditions.
The papers your child will actually sit.
Knowing exactly what each paper demands — and how it is marked — is half the battle. Here is the full breakdown.
Reading
Reading comprehension and summary questions based on two passages.
Directed Writing & Composition
One directed writing task plus one composition (narrative or descriptive).
Speaking Test
Individual presentation plus discussion — marked by teacher, moderated by Cambridge.
Portfolio (0500 only)
Three pieces of coursework submitted as an alternative to Paper 2 in some centres.
Why even strong students lose grades here.
These are the three traps we see most often in diagnostic sessions with new IGCSE English First Language students — and they are all fixable.
Tone drift
The single most common reason A candidates drop to B is inconsistent register — starting formal, drifting into casual, then swinging back. We fix this with targeted paragraph drills.
Weak topic sentences
Examiners scan topic sentences first. Students who bury the main idea mid-paragraph lose marks even if the content is strong.
Summary padding
The summary task penalises word waste. Students who over-write lose up to 4 marks per paper. We drill precision from week 1.
From diagnostic to final grade.
My Cambridge IGCSE English went from a C at mocks to an A* at the final. My Times Edu mentor marked every single essay I wrote for four months. Nothing else comes close.
The questions we always get about English First Language.
Have a specific question about your child's situation? Book a free 60-minute diagnostic and our specialist will answer every one.
Should my child sit First Language (0500) or Second Language (0510)?
0500 is the native/near-native qualification and is more highly regarded for university admissions. If your child has been schooled in English since primary and reads confidently in English for pleasure, we almost always recommend 0500. We assess this in the diagnostic.
Can you mark essays to examiner standard?
Yes. Our English mentors include former Cambridge-trained examiners and teachers with 10+ years marking IGCSE English. Every essay your child submits comes back with rubric-specific feedback — not "nice work" but exact band locations and specific fixes.
How quickly can writing grades actually improve?
Faster than most parents expect. Most students move from a 5 to a 7 in 6–8 weeks of focused writing practice. The 7 to 9 jump takes longer — usually 4–6 additional months of consistent writing.
Do you help with the oral speaking test?
Yes, on request. The speaking component is marked by the school and externally moderated, so our coaching focuses on presentation structure and confidence. We have coached dozens of students to full marks on the speaking test.
Ready to turn IGCSE English First Language into an A*?
Your child's free 60-minute English First Language diagnostic includes a full topic-by-topic gap analysis, a realistic grade prediction and a personalised roadmap to final exams. Worth $60 — free for the first 50 families this intake.