# IGCSE English First Language tutoring: from your own notes

Source: https://tutix.ai/programs/igcse-english-first-language  
Updated: 2026-10-21

**The short answer.** A ready-made IGCSE English First Language program is planned for Tutix. Until it is ready, you can start an IGCSE English First Language class today: type the subject, add your own notes, and the AI tutor teaches it live, reads your answers and remembers each class. This page explains how Cambridge 0500 is examined.

- Cambridge syllabus 0500
- No tiers: every candidate is entered for grades A* to G
- Graded A* to G
- Ready-made program planned; classes built from your notes today

## Where Tutix is today

A ready-made IGCSE English First Language program is planned and not available yet. You can start a IGCSE English First Language class now: the tutor teaches live from your syllabus or notes. Ready-made programs exist for other courses.

## The qualification

Cambridge IGCSE English First Language is syllabus 0500. The 2027-2029 syllabus covers the 2027, 2028 and 2029 exams. Paper 1 was restructured to help candidates pace themselves, and Paper 2 has less reading and a new 5-mark reading question that checks understanding before the writing task. There are no Core and Extended tiers, so every candidate is entered for grades A* to G. Exams are in the June and November series, and in March for centres in India.

## The papers

| Paper | Title | Time | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Reading | 2 h | 80 | 50% |
| 2 | Directed Writing and Composition | 2 h | 80 | 50% |
| 3 | Coursework portfolio (component 3, instead of Paper 2) | Centre-assessed | 80 | 50% |

Candidates take Paper 1 and either Paper 2 or the coursework portfolio. Speaking and Listening is optional and endorsed separately: it does not count towards the grade.

## What the marks test

Cambridge weights the marks of IGCSE English First Language between three assessment objectives: reading (50%), writing (50%) and speaking and listening (separately endorsed, so it does not count towards the grade). Cambridge calls these weightings approximate.

| Assessment objective | IGCSE |
| --- | --- |
| AO1 Reading | 50% |
| AO2 Writing | 50% |
| AO3 Speaking and Listening | Separately endorsed |

| Assessment objective | Paper 1 | Paper 2 and Component 3 | Component 4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AO1 Reading | 80% | 20% | 0% |
| AO2 Writing | 20% | 80% | 0% |
| AO3 Speaking and Listening | 0% | 0% | 100% |

## What it covers

- Reading: comprehension and analysis of three texts
- Directed writing: writing for an audience from source material
- Composition: descriptive and narrative writing
- A coursework portfolio of extended writing
- Speaking and listening, endorsed separately

## How to prepare with Tutix today

Type IGCSE English First Language in the class wizard, attach your own notes or syllabus if you have them, choose a tutor and join: the tutor teaches on a shared whiteboard and reads what you write while you are still in class.

A class, opened. A sample written to show how a class sounds (not a real learner); the scores show how the exam would credit each answer.

> **Reading · Meaning in context.** Question: In your own words, what does the writer mean by “the city never slept”?
> The student wrote: The city had no beds. (the exam would credit 1 of 2)
> The tutor: You have noticed that the phrase is about sleeping. Is the writer describing the buildings, or the people and activity in them at night?
> The student then wrote: The city was busy and awake at every hour, with people and noise all night. (the exam would credit 2 of 2)

> **What the tutor will not do.** It is built to explain and give feedback, not to write coursework or any work you submit for assessment. It explains the ideas and what a strong answer needs, so the work stays yours.

## What a ready-made program adds, and what it costs

Ready-made programs, such as IGCSE Physics, come with lessons and questions reviewed in advance, at five levels. The Free plan includes 45 live class minutes a month with no card; see the plans.

The twelve ready-made programs are drawn to scale, with a real lesson to read, on the Programs page.

## Questions

**Does Tutix have an IGCSE English First Language program?**

Not ready-made yet; it is planned. Today you can start an IGCSE English First Language class: type the subject, attach your own notes, and the tutor builds the classes around them.

**What papers are in IGCSE English First Language?**

Paper 1, Reading, 2 h, 80 marks; Paper 2, Directed Writing and Composition, 2 h, 80 marks; Component 3, Coursework portfolio, Centre-assessed, 80 marks.

**Are there Core and Extended tiers in IGCSE English First Language?**

No. There are no tiers, so every candidate is eligible for grades A* to G.

**Which IGCSE English First Language syllabus should I follow?**

The 2027-2029 syllabus covers the 2027, 2028 and 2029 exams. Paper 1 was restructured to help candidates pace themselves, and Paper 2 has less reading and a new 5-mark reading question that checks understanding before the writing task. Check the syllabus your school or exam centre is entering you for.

## Sources

- Cambridge University Press & Assessment: [Syllabus 0500, IGCSE First Language English, 2027-2029](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/718783-2027-2029-syllabus.pdf) (version 1)
- Cambridge University Press & Assessment: [Cambridge IGCSE English First Language (0500)](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-english-first-language-0500/) (accessed October 21, 2026)
- Cambridge University Press & Assessment: [Cambridge IGCSE](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-upper-secondary/cambridge-igcse/) (accessed October 21, 2026)

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