IGCSE Handbook Subject Selection Guide• IGCSE Physics • IGCSE Design Technology • IGCSE Art and Design • IGCSE Music ... % Final exam 50% Reading Passages ... summaries, answering

IGCSE Handbook

AustrAliAn internAtionAl

school“Leading to a Bright Future”

Subject Selection Guide

ContentsIGCSE SubjECtS 2015-16 ......................................................................... 4

IGCSE EnGlISh FIrSt lanGuaGE ............................................................ 5

IGCSE EnGlISh SECond lanGuaGE ....................................................... 6

IGCSE EnGlISh lItEraturE ..................................................................... 7

IGCSE MathEMatICS ................................................................................. 8

IGCSE Global PErSPECtIvES ................................................................. 9

CorE PhySICal EduCatIon .................................................................... 10

IGCSE KorEan ........................................................................................... 11

IGCSE ChInESE SECond lanGuaGE ....................................................... 12

vIEtnaMESE natIonal StudIES .............................................................. 13

IGCSE EConoMICS .................................................................................... 14

IGCSE GEoGraPhy ................................................................................... 15

IGCSE InForMatIon and CoMMunICatIon tEChnoloGy (ICt) .......... 16

IGCSE bIoloGy .......................................................................................... 17

IGCSE ChEMIStry ..................................................................................... 18

IGCSE PhySICS .......................................................................................... 19

IGCSE dESIGn and tEChnoloGy ........................................................... 20

IGCSE art and dESIGn ............................................................................ 21

IGCSE oPtIonS ForM .............................................................................. 23

IGCSE oPtIonS bloCKS ........................................................................... 24

IGCSE Handbook Page 3 of 24 www.aisvietnam.com

AustrAliAn internAtionAl school "Leading to a Bright Future"

IGCSE Subjects 2015-16Core Subjects

• IGCSEEnglish(Literature,1stLanguageor2ndLanguage)

• IGSCEMathematics

• IGCSEGlobalPerspectives(fornon-Vietnamesespeakers)

• PhysicalEducation

• VietnameseLiterature,VietnameseHistoryandGeography

Preferences

• IGCSEKorean

• IGCSEChinese(2ndLanguage)

• IGCSEEconomics

• IGCSEGeography

• IGCSEInformationandCommunicationTechnology

• IGCSEBiology

• IGCSEChemistry

• IGCSEPhysics

• IGCSEDesignTechnology

• IGCSEArtandDesign

• IGCSEMusic

Compulsory for vietnamese students

• VietnameseNationalStudiesInstructions

• SelectONEsubjectfromeachcolumnA,BandC.

Considerations

• ItisrecommendedthatstudentstakeasubjectatIGCSEiftheywishtotakeitatIBDP.

• NotallsubjectsofferedatIBDPcanbetakenatIGCSE,seetablebelow:

IBDP Subjects not offered at IGCSE

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4

Self-StudyLanguageA Frenchabinitio(beginners)

EnvironmentalSystemsandSocieties

EnvironmentalSystemsandSocieties

Psychology

Geography



IGCSE English First languageFullsubjecttitle EnglishFirstLanguage-Extended

Syllabusnumber 0500

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam 50%ReadingPassages

50%DirectedWritingandComposition

Sometopicscovered Awiderangeoftopicsrangingfromcurrentaffairstostudentinterestwillbeusedasavehicletodevelopanunderstandingofvarioustexttypes.

Coursedescription FirstLanguageEnglishlearnersdeveloptheabilitytocommunicateclearly,accuratelyandeffectivelyinbothspeechandwriting.Theylearnhowtoemployawide-rangingvocabulary,usecorrectgrammar,spellingandpunctuation,anddevelopapersonalstyleandanawarenessoftheaudiencebeingaddressed.Studentsarealsoencouragedtoreadwidely,bothfortheirownenjoymentandtofurthertheirawarenessofthewaysinwhichEnglishcanbeused.Thecoursealsodevelopsmoregeneralanalysisandcommunicationskillssuchassynthesis,inference,andtheabilitytoorderfactsandpresentopinionseffectively.

WhatdostudentsneedtoknowaboutthiscoursebeforetheychooseitforIGCSE?

ThisisnotaLiteraturecourse,butoneinwhichthestudentswillbeexpectedtoreadwidelyandanalysebothwhatiswrittenandhowitiswritten.Styleandaudiencearekeyfeaturesofwrittentasks.

Whattypesofstudentsdowellinthiscourse?

StudentsforwhomEnglishistheirfirstlanguage,whowishtopursueEnglishastheirLanguageAoptionfortheIBDiplomaProgramme.

Whattypesofstudentsstrugglewiththiscourse?

StudentswhogainlessthanaCgradeatYear10maystrugglewiththiscourse.

Whatkindofactivitiesaredoneinclassregularly?

Readingandanalysingavarietyoftexttypes.Writingresponsestotextsandcompletingnarrativesinresponsetoanumberofstimuli.Takingnotes,makingsummaries,answeringquestionsorally,smallgroupdiscussion,aswellaspracticeexaminationexercisesforreadingandwriting.

Whatkindofactivitiesaredoneinclassoccasionally?

Researchprojects.

Whatdostudentslikethemostaboutthiscourse?

Thestudentsenjoytheopportunitytoundertakecreativewriting,writingandpresentingspeechesanddebating.

Whatdostudentsliketheleastaboutthiscourse?

Readingformeaning(analyzingtexts)isalargecomponentofthiscourse,asiswritingfordifferentaudiences.Thiscanbechallengingattimesbutwillleadtolife-longskills.

Otherinformation Thecorecoursecanbestudied,butstudentswillonlybeeligibleforgradesC-G.



IGCSE English Second languageFullsubjecttitle EnglishSecondLanguage–OralEndorsement,ExtendedOption

Syllabusnumber 0510

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment A15minuteoralexaminationisconductedbycertifiedcourseworkexaminersinVietnam,andmoderatedinternationallybyCambridge.Studentsreceiveaseparategradefortheoralcomponent.Theworkdoesnotcontributetotheoverallgradereceivedforthewrittencomponents.

%Finalexam 70%ReadingandWriting

30%Listening

Sometopicscovered ReadingComprehension,writingformalandinformalletters,writingarticles,writingsummaries,takingnotes,listeningcomprehension,oralcommunication,completingforms.

Coursedescription Thiscourseteachestheproductiveskillsofwritingandspeaking,andthereceptiveskillsofreadingandlisteningforthepurposeofcommunicativeEnglish.ItisnotaLiteraturecourse.ThereisaninternationalperspectiveandstudentswillbecomefamiliarwitharangeofwesternconventionswhichwillbenefittheminsituationswhereEnglishisthelanguagespoken.Arangeofsocialregistersfromformaltoinformalwillbecoveredinthecourse.Thestylesofcommunicationwhichareincludedareappropriatetouseindealingswithofficialandsemi-officialbodies,instudyingforacademicoroccupationalpurposes,inplacesofwork,orinusingpublicservices.


Courseworkcomesfromarangeofcontextsrelatingtostudentneeds,wheretheymayuseEnglishasaSecondLanguage.Theseincludeeducation,theworldofwork,currentaffairs,healthandwelfare,andtravel.


StudentsforwhomEnglishistheirsecondlanguage,whowishtopursueEnglishastheirLanguageBoptionfortheIBDiplomaProgramme.Studentsneedsomepriorexperiencespeaking,readingandwritingEnglish.


StudentswhogainlessthanaCgradeatYear10maystrugglewiththiscourse.


Takingnotes,answeringquestionsorally,smallgroupdiscussion,grammardrills,practiceexaminationexercisesforreadingandwriting,listeningpractice,speakingpractice.


Researchprojectsandoralpresentations.


Theworkisdividedintoskillsthereforestudentscanpractiseandgetreallygoodatoneskillatatime.Thisbuildsstudents’confidenceandtheycanseetheirprogress.


Readingskillsareneededforwriting,listening,andoralskillsthereforestudentsmustpractisereadingandvocabularyagainandagain.Thisishardworkbutveryrewarding.

Otherinformation TheextendedcourseisstudiedbyallstudentstoallowthemaccesstotheIBDPEnglishBcourseinYear12.



IGCSE English literatureFullsubjecttitle IGCSEEnglishLiterature

Syllabusnumber 0486

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam 100%

Sometopicscovered Thecourseincludesthestudyofselectedclassicandcontemporarynovels,playsandpoetry.

Coursedescription Skillsincludein-depthanalysisofclassicandcontemporaryLiteraturetextsstudiedinclass,planninganddevelopingcoherentarguments,reader-responsetheoryandtherelationshipbetweenliteratureandsociety.Oralexpressionisemphasisedasstudentsarerequiredtoarticulatelyexpresstheirthinkingabouttextsusingappropriatelanguage.Studentsalsoneedtodemonstrateanabilitytowritewithinstricttimedconditions.

WhatdostudentsneedtoknowaboutthiscoursebeforetheytakeitforIGCSE?

Thiscourseisademanding,100%examinationbasedcourse.Studentsstudyliteraturetopicsfortwoexampapers:

Paper4:SetTexts–twoessays:1hour30mins50%

Paper5:SetTexts–twoessays:1hour30mins50%


StudentsplanningtositIGCSEEnglishLiteratureshouldbeavidreaders,abletoengageindebate,bewell-informedabouttheirworldandbeopentoideasthatchallengetheircurrentposition.Theymustbepreparedtosourceandstudyextramaterialandtopreparepracticeessaysonanon-goingbasis.


StudentswhodonotreceiveCgradeorhigherforYear10English(FullAcademic1).


Regularactivitiesinclude:individualOralPresentations,essaywriting,internetresearch,peerandself-assessment,brainstorms,textualannotations,characterrole-play,groupprojectsandpresentations.


Quizzes,dramaperformances,viewingmediaperformancesoftextsstudied.


Itisthought-provokingandrelevantwithregardtocurrentworld-widesocietal,culturalandpoliticalissues.


Thecourseistextorientedandallassessmentsareinessayform.

Otherinformation EntryforthiscourseisattherecommendationoftheEnglishCoordinator.



IGCSE MathematicsFullsubjecttitle IGCSEMathematics

Syllabusnumber 0580

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam 100%

Sometopicscovered Number,algebra,space&shape,statistics&probability

Coursedescription IGCSEMathematicsisafullyexaminedcoursewhichencouragesthedevelopmentofmathematicalknowledgeasakeylifeskill,andasabasisformoreadvancedstudy.Thesyllabusaimstobuildstudents'confidencebyhelpingthemdevelopafeelfornumbers,patternsandrelationships,andplacesastrongemphasisonsolvingproblems,presentingandinterpretingresults.

Therearetwooptionsatthislevel:extendedandcore.Allthematerialinthecorecurriculumiscoveredwithintheextendedscheme.TheextendedMathscoursepreparesstudentsfortheIBDPhigherandstandardMathematics.ThecoreMathematicscoursepreparesstudentsfortheIBDPstudiesMathematics.


Mathematicsiscompulsory.StudentswillbeplacedintoeithertheCoreorExtendedclassdependingontheirpreviousperformanceinMathematics.


Logical,hardworkingstudents

Whattypesofstudentsstrugglewiththiscourse

Unmotivated,disorganisedstudents


Textbookproblems,solvingpuzzles,graphing,worksheets,starteractivities


Computerinvestigations,constructions


Usingthecalculator,algebra,measuringangles


Trigonometry,3dimensionalquestions,scaledrawing,mensuration

Otherinformation StudentswantingtotakeIBDPhigherlevelMathematicsmusttakethehigherMathematicsIGCSEpaperandachieveagradeAminimum.



IGCSE Global PerspectivesFullsubjecttitle IGCSEGlobalPerspectives

Syllabusnumber 0457

%Coursework 40%ResearchProject

30%GroupProject

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam 30%

Sometopicscovered Beliefsystems,biodiversityandecosystemloss,climatechange,conflictandpeace,diseaseandhealth,educationforall,employment,familyanddemographicchange,fuelandenergy,humansandotherspecies,languageandcommunication,lawandcriminality,povertyandinequality,sportandrecreation,technologyandtheeconomicdivide,tradeandaid,tradition,cultureandidentity,transportandinfrastructure,urbanisation,water,foodandagriculture

Coursedescription IGCSEGlobalPerspectivesisagroundbreakingnewcoursethatiscross-curricular,stretchingacrosstraditionalsubjectboundaries.Ittapsintothewaytoday’sstudentsenjoylearning−includinggroupwork,seminars,projects,andworkingwithotherstudentsaroundtheworld.Theemphasisisondevelopingtheabilitytothinkcriticallyaboutarangeofglobalissueswherethereisalwaysmorethanonepointofview.


IGCSEGlobalPerspectivesencouragesawarenessofglobalproblemsandoffersopportunitiestoexplorepossiblesolutionsthroughcooperationandcollaboration.Thecourseisnotaboutgettingeverybodytothinkidentically;ratheritisamatterofopeningmindstothegreatcomplexityoftheworldandofhumanthought,andopeningheartstothediversityofhumanexperienceandfeeling.


Open,internationallymindedstudentswhoenjoyvigorousdiscussionanddebateandlearningaboutotherpeople’sperspectivesontheworld.


Studentswhostruggletoappreciateotherpeople’spointsofview,andwhoareverysetintheirideasofrightandwrong.


Discussion,debate,researchprojects,oralpresentations


InteractingwithotherstudentsinHoChiMinhCity,inVietnamandaroundtheworld.


Learningabouttheworldandhowtheycanbeaforceforgoodinchangingthedestinyofourplanetandsocieties.


Writingessays

Otherinformation Thissubjectiscompulsoryforallstudents.ItisexcellentpreparationforIBDPTheoryofKnowledge.



Core Physical EducationFullsubjecttitle CorePhysicalEducation

Syllabusnumber N/A

%Coursework N/A

%Finalexam N/A

Sometopicscovered Invasionsports,strikingsports,netandwallsports,aquatics

Coursedescription Thiscourseisdesignedtogivestudentstheopportunitytoparticipateinperiodsofphysicalactivityatleasttwotimesaweek.

Whatdostudentsneedtoknowaboutthiscoursebeforetheychooseit?

CorePEiscompulsoryforallYear11students.StudentswhowanttostudyPEtoahigherlevelshouldtaketheIGCSEoptioninadditiontocorePE.


Studentswhohaveanenthusiasticapproachtophysicalactivity,andpossesspracticalsportingandaquaticskills.


Studentswhoeitherhavelimitedsportingskillsand/orwholimittheirinvolvementinpracticalclasses.


Studentsparticipateinanumberofpracticalsportsincludingbasketball,football,badmintonandvolleyball.Theyalsopartakeinavarietyofaquaticgamesandworkonimprovingtheirswimmingstroketechnique.


Atheorybasedcomponentwillbelinkedtooneofthepracticalunits


Theopportunitytoparticipateinpractical,physicallyactivelessonsatschool.


Iftired,studentscanoftenstruggletoparticipatefullyinthelessons.

Otherinformation Year11PhysicalEducationclassesarecompulsoryandwillconsistoftwopracticalclasseseachweek–one‘sports’classandoneswimminglesson.



IGCSE KoreanFullsubjecttitle IGCSEKorean

Syllabusnumber 0521

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam Reading50%

Writing50%

Sometopicscovered Topicsaredifferenteveryyearbecausestudentsdiscusscurrentissues.Forliterarytexts,theyreadavarietyofworksbecausetheexampapershaveunseentextsonly.

Coursedescription ThiscourseisforfirstlanguageKoreanspeakers.Thecoursetrainsstudentsinformalessaywritingandtextanalysisandprovidesaqualificationforstudentsintheirnativelanguage.


Studentsshouldreadavarietyoftextsandknowhowtoanalysethem.Thismustnotbelimitedtowhatistaughtinclass.Thecourseinvolveslotsofwritingtasksbecausethemostpartoftheexamiswriting.ThiscourseisstronglyrecommendedforanystudentwhointendstotakeLanguageAKoreanatIBDPlevelnextyear.


Studentswhodotheirbest,completealltheworkandrefertoteacher’sfeedbackandthemarkingschemeforimprovement


Studentswhodonotspendsufficienttimepreparingtheirassignments.


Analysingtexts,writtencomparisons,argumentative,descriptiveandnarrativeessays.


Discussionanddebate


Theatmosphere,relationshipwiththeteacher,speakingKorean.


Writingessaysregularly

Otherinformation KoreanstudentsarerecommendedtotakethiscoursetoensuresuccessatIBDPKoreannextyear.



IGCSE Chinese Second languageFullsubjecttitle IGCSEMandarinChinese(SecondLanguage)

Syllabusnumber 0547

%Coursework 15%

%Oralassessment 15%

%Finalexam 70%

Sometopicscovered Self,family,home,neighbourhoodandregion,everydaylife,schoolfacilities,futurecareerplanning,dailyessentials,shopping,foodandbeverages,health,weatherandclimate.

Coursedescription Studentswillbeabletoexpresspersonalmeaninginlearnedphrasesorre-combinationsofthem.StudentswillalsohavebetterunderstandingofChinaatthesametimebydevelopingChinesecommunicationskillsandanalyzingtheculturaldiversitybetweendifferentcountries.StudentswillleavewithabetterunderstandingoftheChineselanguagepronunciation,grammarandadeeperappreciationforChineseculture.


StudentswilldobetteriftheyhavelearnedChinesefor2-3yearsandthereforehaveagoodfoundation.


HardworkingstudentswhoarewillingtospeakandreaddifferenttopicsonChineseculture.


Studentswhostrugglewithpronunciationandessaywriting.


Wordcards,groupworkandpairwork,lotsofspeaking,listeningexercises.


Essaywriting


Newvocabulary,speakingexercises


Writinganessayover150wordsasexampractice

Otherinformation StudentsareadvisednottotakethissubjectiftheyhavenopriorexperienceoftheChineselanguage.



vietnamese national StudiesFullsubjecttitle VietnameseNationalStudies

Syllabusnumber N/A

%Coursework N/A

%Oralassessment N/A

%Finalexam N/A

Sometopicscovered Legends,heroes,victory,folktales

Coursedescription ThiscourseiscompulsoryforallstudentswhoareregisteredwiththeschoolunderaVietnamesepassport.Itisalsoavailableafterschool.Thecourseencouragesstudentstobeconfidentwhenmakingaspeechinclass,expressingfluently,beingimaginativeandsensitive.

Whatdostudentsneedtoknowaboutthiscoursebeforetheychooseit?

Howtoanalyseawork,reasonawork,anddemonstrateawork.


Studentswhoenjoylearningabouttheirheritageandwhovaluetheirlanguageaspartoftheiridentity.AlsostudentswhoarewillingtoworkhardatthecomplexitiesofwrittenVietnamese.


Studentswhodon’tvaluetheirlanguageasaworldlanguageoftenstruggletostaymotivatedonthiscourse.Studentswhodonotworkatcompletingtheirhomeworktoahighstandardalsostruggle.


Discussion,essays,readingLiterature,groupwork,pairwork,individualwork,presentations


Researchprojectsandpresentations,roleplays,filmsandexcursions


Activitiesandknowledgeofculture,heroes,andhistory.Learningabouttheirheritage.


Languagetechniques.StudyingVietnameseformalgrammarandwrittenaccuracy.

Otherinformation Thiscoursecanbetakenduringtheschoolday,whichmeansstudentswillstudyoneIGCSElessthanothernon-Vietnamesestudents,oritcanbetakenafterschool.



IGCSE EconomicsFullsubjecttitle IGCSEEconomics

Syllabusnumber 0455

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam Paper1MultipleChoice-30%

Paper2StructuredQuestion-70%

Sometopicscovered Basiceconomicterminology,principlesandtheories,simpledatahandlingincludinggraphsanddiagrams,howbothconsumersandproducersandascitizensofthelocal,nationalandinternationalcommunityinteract,anunderstandingoftheeconomiesofdevelopedanddevelopingnationsandoftherelationshipsbetweenthem.

Coursedescription TheIGCSEEconomicssyllabuswilldevelopanunderstandingofeconomicterminologyandprinciplesandofbasiceconomictheory.Studentswilllearnabouttheeconomicsofdevelopedanddevelopingnationsandhowtheseinterrelate.Theywillalsolearntohandlesimpledataandundertakeeconomicanalysis,evaluateinformationanddiscriminatebetweenfactsandvaluejudgmentsineconomicissues.AfoundationforfurtherstudyatIBDP,thesyllabusalsoencouragesabetterunderstandingoftheworldinwhichstudentslive,andhelpsthemplayanactivepartinthedecision-makingprocess,whetherasconsumers,producersorcitizensofthelocal,nationalandinternationalcommunity.


Nopriorstudyisrequired.


LiteracyandnumeracyskillsareimportantinthestudyofEconomics.Studentsshouldalsobeabletoreadandinterpretchartsandgraphs.


Studentswithpoorliteracyskillsoftenstruggletounderstandsomeareasofthecourse.

Whatkindsofactivitiesaredoneinclassregularly?

CasesStudies,classroomexperiments,classindividualresponsesystems,computersimulations,context-richproblems,cooperativelearning,documentedproblemsolving,interactivelectures,interactivelecturedemonstrations,interdisciplinaryapproachestoteaching,writing,studentresearch,usingmediatoenhanceteachingandlearning.

Whatkindsofactivitiesaredoneinclassoccasionally?

Tests,assignmentsandexaminations


Thiscoursegivesstudentsanincreasedunderstandingofrealworldevents


AttimesthepaceofanIGCSEcoursecanbealittleoverwhelming.

Otherinformation none



IGCSE GeographyFullsubjecttitle IGCSEGeography

Syllabusnumber 0460

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam Paper1:45%offinalmark

Paper2:27.5%offinalmark

Paper3:27.5%offinalmark

Sometopicscovered Populationandsettlement,thenaturalenvironment,economicdevelopmentandtheuseofresources.

Coursedescription IGCSEGeographyiscoursethatteachesabouttheworldinwhichwelive.ThestudyofGeographyisuniqueinthatitisalinkbetweentheSciences;History,Business,Economics,Biology,PhysicsandChemistry.ThiscourseteachesskillsthatcanbeusedintheSciencesandthecoursecontentcomplementsothercoursese.g.renewableenergyinPhysics,weatheringinChemistry,ecosystemsinBiology,migrationinHistoryandindustry,tourismandagricultureinBusinessandEconomics.


Studentsneedtoknowtheintereststheyhaveabouttheworldinwhichwealllive.Studentsconsideringtakingthecourseshouldonlyreallychoosetostudythesubjectiftheyhaveaninterestinitandenjoystudyingit.GeographylooksatbothhumanandphysicalGeographyandtheirinteractions,sothereissomethingforeveryonetoenjoy.


Studentswhohaveagenuinecuriosityofhowtheworldworks.Astudentofthiscalibrewillperformwellbecausetheirowninterestsandcuriositywilldrivethemtolearnmoreaboutourworldandourresponsibilityinpreservingit.


Becausethetopicsofthecoursecoverawidevarietyoftopics,studentsrarelystrugglewiththiscourse.IfstudentsdostruggleitisusuallybecauseofalackofEnglishproficiency.


Activitiesrangefromgroup/pairworkpresentations,individualpresentations,personalresearchaninvestigation.


Essays


Studentslikethattherearemultipletopicswithinthecontentthatinterestthem.Thereareforeignconcepts/ideas,differentfromotherclassesbecausewehavetostudyaboutfarawayplacesandthings.


Giventheamountofnewcontent,studentsleastliketheamountofreadingandindependentresearchrequiredforthecourse.

Otherinformation ItisrecommendedthatstudentstakeIGSCEGeographyiftheywishtostudyitlateratIBDPlevel.



IGCSE Information and Communication technology (ICt)Fullsubjecttitle IGCSEInformationandCommunicationsTechnology

Syllabusnumber 0417

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam Paper1-2hours:Writtenpapertestingtheoreticalknowledge,weightedat40%ofavailablemarks.

Paper2-Practicaltest,weightedat30%oftheavailablemarks.

Paper3-Practicaltest,weightedat30%oftheavailablemarks.

Sometopicscovered Thetheoreticalelement(40%)includetypesandcomponentsofcomputersystems,inputandoutputdevices,storagedevicesandmedia,computernetworks,datatypes,theeffectsofICT,thewaysinwhichICTisusedandsystemsanalysisanddesign.Thepracticalelement(60%)includescommunication,documentproduction,datamanipulation,integration,outputdata,dataanalysis,websiteauthoringandpresentationauthoring.

Coursedescription CambridgeIGCSEICTwillshowstudentshowtoanalyse,design,implement,testandevaluateICTsystems.Studentswillalsoconsidertheimpactwhichnewtechnologieswillhaveonwaysofworkingandthesocial,economicandethicalissuesassociatedwiththem.


Thiscoursehasaheavypracticalelementwithtwo2.5hourpracticalexamsalongsidethe2hourwrittenpaper.Studentsshouldconsidertheirrelationshipwithacomputerbeforetakingonthiscourse!

Careers:AqualificationinICTisagoodfoundationforanycareerbasedinthetechnologyworldfromusingapplicationssuccessfullyinbusinesstowebdesign,graphicdesign,gamesdevelopers,programming,appbuilders,3Dmodelers,architects,almostanyjobyoucanthinkofusesacomputerandspecialistkindsofsoftware.Computerliteracyisveryimportantinthemodernworld.


Therearenopre-requisitesforstudyingthiscoursebutaninterestintechnologyisessential.Studentswhofindusingacomputerstraightforwardandintuitiveshoulddowellinthiscourse.


Studentswhofindusingcomputersconfusingorthatcomputers‘don’tmakesense’perhapsmightnotdosowellonthiscourse.


Practicalwork,games,discussionsanddebate.


Roleplays,grouppresentations


Exploringsoftwareprogramsanddiscussingtechnologyinthemodernworld.


Certainpracticalelementssuchasdatabasesandspreadsheets.

Otherinformation AGCSEinICTisaveryusefulcoursetostudyifyouwishtotakeITGS(InformationTechnologyinaGlobalSociety)atIBlevel.



IGCSE biologyFullsubjecttitle Biology

Syllabusnumber 0610

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam Paper1multiplechoice30%oftotalmarks

Paper3extendedtheorypaper50%oftotalmarks

Paper6alternativetopracticalpaper20%oftotalmarks

Sometopicscovered Cellsandcellprocesses,animalnutrition,plantnutritionandtransport,respirationandtransportinhumans,coordinationandhomeostasis,plantreproduction,humanreproduction,inheritanceandevolution,organismsandtheenvironment,humaninfluencesontheenvironment.

Coursedescription AswellasafocusonBiology,andwithanemphasisonhumanBiology,theIGCSEBiologysyllabusenablesstudentstobetterunderstandthetechnologicalworldinwhichtheylive,andtakeaninformedinterestinScienceandscientificdevelopments.StudentslearnaboutthebasicprinciplesofBiologythroughamixtureoftheoreticalandpracticalstudies.


Anunderstandingofscientificmethodology,howexperimentsareconductedfairly,whatvariablesareandhowtheyaffectanexperiment.Basicunderstandingofhumanbodysystemsandfunction,suchasthecirculatory,respiratory,digestiveandreproductivesystems.Howplantsproducetheirownfoodbyphotosynthesisandhowlivingthingsarelinkedtooneanotherintheirenvironment.


StudentswithagoodcommandofEnglish.BiologyisaverydescriptiveScience.Studentsneedtobeabletoexplainbiologicalprocessesingreatdetailusingveryscientificlanguage.StudentswithgoodMathsskills.AlloftheSciencesrequirestudentstorecord,presentandmanipulatenumericaldata.


StudentswholackgoodreadingandwritingskillsinEnglishwillstrugglewithallofthenewvocabularyandthelengthyexplanationsrequiredtoanswerexamquestionseffectively.Studentswhoaren’tpreparedtospendtimelearningthedefinitionsandtheorywell.Studentswhostruggletoapplytheirknowledgetonewsituations.StudentswhothinkBiologyistheeasyScience.


Videosandanimationstoengagestudentsandshowbiologicalprinciplesinaction.Presentationstodeliverkeytheoryandpracticalexperimentalworktolearntheskillsforpaper6.Studentsregularlyusetheinternetforresearchandproducepresentationsandleaflets/postersfordisplay.Weplaygamestoreinforcelearningandusepastpaperstodevelopeffectiveexaminationskills.


HumanBiology,especiallytheheart,lungsandeyeastheydissecttheseorgans.


Learningvocabularyanddefinitions

Otherinformation ThiscoursepreparesstudentsforIBDPBiology.



IGCSE ChemistryFullsubjecttitle IGCSEChemistry

Syllabusnumber 0620

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%




Sometopicscovered Introductionandbasicatomicstructure,bondingandtheperiodictable,chemicalcalculations,physicalChemistry,chemicalreactions,nature’smaterials,organicChemistry

Coursedescription CambridgeIGCSEChemistrywillhelpstudentsgainknowledgeandunderstandingofthesubject,learnhowtohandleinformationandsolveproblems,andlearnexperimentalskillsandtechniquesofinvestigation.Together,thesewillhelpstudentsbothdevelopadeepunderstandingofChemistry,andpreparethemtobecomeconfidentcitizensofanincreasinglytechnicalworld.


Thisisademandingandfastpacedcoursewhichrequiresalotofpersonalstudy.Thereisasignificantamountofpracticalwork.

WhileChemistryisanacademicsubject,itisintrinsicallybasedonlaboratorywork.Theoryiscomplementedbyexperimentsinwhichyoudeveloppracticalskillssuchastheuseofmodernlaboratoryequipment,powersofobservationandtheabilitytocommunicateresultsandconclusions.


StudentswhohaveagenuineinterestinScienceandarewillingtoworkhardintheirowntime.Inadditiontohavingstrongmathematicalandnumericalabilitystudentswhowouldhaveagoodchanceatsuccessinthecoursewouldhave,orwanttodevelop,thefollowingskills:analyticalandproblem-solvingskills,abstractthinking,timemanagementandorganisationalskills,writtenandoralcommunication,monitoringandmaintainingrecordsanddata,teamwork,ITandtechnologyskills,practicallaboratoryskills.


Studentswhofinditdifficulttospotpatterns,strugglewithanalyticalorabstractthinking,veryweakmathematicornumericalskillsanddisorganisedstudentswouldfindthiscourseverychallenging.


Practicallaboratorywork,learninggames,research,quizzes


Experimentsandinvestigations.


Calculations

Otherinformation ItisessentialtotakeIGCSEChemistryifyouwishtostudyIBDPChemistry.Inaddition,itisarequirementifyouwishtostudyMedicineinthefutureandothermedically-baseddegreessuchasnursingandbio-medicalresearch.



IGCSE PhysicsFullsubjecttitle IGCSEPhysics

Syllabusnumber 0625

%Coursework 0%

%Oralassessment 0%




Sometopicscovered Forcesandmotion,wavesandsounds,energy,thermaleffects,raysandwaves,electricity,electronsandelectronics,magnetsandcurrents,atomsandradioactivity

Coursedescription TheIGCSEPhysicscourseconsistsofabasictreatmentofkinematics,mechanicalenergy,thermalPhysics,electricityandmagnetism,electronicsandelementarynuclearPhysics.ThesetopicsserveasafoundationforthosewishingtocontinuewithPhysicsbeyondYear11.Tobesuccessfulinthiscourse,studentswillneedtohaveadegreeofcompetencewithYear10Mathematicsmethods.


Thissubjectreliesonunderstanding,notmemorising.YoucannotmemorisePhysics.AcompetenceinbasicMathematicsmethodsshouldbeaprerequisite.


StudentsthataregoodatMathsand/orgenuinelylikePhysics


StudentswhocannotthinklogicallyandwholacktheabilitytodobasicMathematicswithcompetence.


Labpracticals


Interactivewebsites


Thelogical,sequentialnatureofPhysics,practicalexperiments


Memorisingformulas

Otherinformation ItisrecommendedtotakePhysicsIGCSEifyouwishtodoPhysicsatIBDPnextyear.PhysicsisessentialforstudentswhomaywishtostudyEngineering.



IGCSE design and technologyFullsubjecttitle IGCSEDesignandTechnology

Syllabusnumber 0445

%Coursework 50%

%Oralassessment 0%

%Finalexam Paper1Design:Assessesdesignability.25%oftotalmarks

Paper3ResistantMaterialselective–Testknowledgeofdesignandmaterialsandtheirprocessing.25%oftotalmarks

Paper5Project:Individualdesignproject.Internallyassessed,externallymoderated.50%oftotalmarks.

Sometopicscovered Observeandidentifyneeds,research,ideageneration,healthandsafety,developmentofideas,communicatingwithothers,DesignandTechnologyinsociety,aesthetics,anthropometricsandergonomics,energy,control,mechanicalcontrol(staticanddynamic),permanentfastenings.

Coursedescription DesignandTechnologypreparesstudentsfortheirfuturewithinarapidlychangingtechnologicalsociety.Inthecoursestudentsidentify,considerandsolveproblems.Studentsgaintechnicalanddesignawarenessanddevelopskillssuchasinitiative,resourcefulness,enquiryandingenuitywhilstalsodevelopingcommunicationskillscentraltodesign,makingandevaluation.


Thisisademandingcourseintermsoftheassessmentrequirementsthroughbothexaminationsandprojectwork.Creativity,independentthinkingandorganisationskillsarekeyelementstosuccessinthewrittencomponents.Confidence,combinedwiththeabilitytoworksafelyandaccurately,iskeytosuccessinthepracticalelements.


StudentswhohaveagoodcommandofEnglishandwhoareabletoapplytechnologicalterminologycorrectlyandappropriately.Studentswhoareabletothinkcreativelytosolveproblemsthroughdesigningandplanningandwhoareconfidentinworkingwitharangeofmaterials,mediaandtools.Studentswhoareabletoconveyideasgraphically.


Studentswhohavetheexpectationthatthecourseprimarilyinvolves“makingthings”finditdifficult.Whiletherearepracticalelementstothecourse,thereisalsoasubstantialamountoftheorythatiscovered,culminatingintwoexaminationsandasubstantialdesignportfoliorequirement.Studentswhoareunabletomanagetheirtimeandmeetdeadlineswillstruggle.


Groupdiscussion,brainstorming,graphicalcommunication,portfoliodevelopment,research,practicaldemonstrations,practicalworkshopactivities.


Studentsenjoyutilisingvariousformsoftechnologyinthedevelopmentofsolutionstovariousdesignsituations.


DesignTechnologyisrunasaoneyearcourserequiringstudentstobeabletomanageandscheduletheirindependentstudytimetoincludeProjectPortfolioandpracticalwork.

Otherinformation StudentswhodonotachieveaCgradeorhigheratYear10levelwillstruggletoachieveattheIGCSElevel.Inaddition,studentsshouldbeawarethat,likeArtandDesign,thisoptionrequiresaconsiderabletimecommitment.



IGCSE art and designFullsubjecttitle IGCSEArtandDesign

Syllabusnumber 0400

%Coursework 50%

%Oralassessment N/A

%Finalexam 50%

Sometopicscovered Mediaandtechnicalskills,composition,meaningmakinginArt,genres,styles,approachesofArt,criticalanalysis.

Coursedescription TheIGCSEArtandDesignsyllabusaimstoencourageapersonalresponsebystimulatingimagination,sensitivity,conceptualthinking,powersofobservationandanalyticalability.Studentsgainconfidenceandenthusiasmastheydeveloptechnicalskillsintwoandthreedimensionalformandcomposition,andareabletoidentifyandsolveproblemsinvisualandtactileforms.Studentsalsolearnhowtodevelopideasfrominitialattemptstofinalsolutions.Anidealfoundationforfurtherstudy,IGCSEArtandDesignalsodevelopsagreaterawarenessoftheroleplayedbythevisualartsinsocietyandinhistory,broadeningculturalhorizonsandindividualexperience.ThiscoursepreparesstudentsforIBDPArtandDesign.


Thisisatime-consuminganddemandingcoursethatrequiresalotofstudiotimeoutsideofregularclasses.Anemphasisisplacedonboththeprocessesinvolvedinartmakingaswellascreatingfinishedpieces.Studentsworkintheirsketchbookthroughouttheweekoutsideofclass.


StudentswhohaveapassionforArt.Also,studentswhohavepriorexperienceandhavedevelopedarangeofartskillsandattitudes.Thesestudentsareusuallyindependent,motivatedandhardworking.


Studentswithlittlebackground/experienceinArt.Alsostudentswhounderestimatethedemandsofthecourseandchoseitforthewrongreasons.


Developmentoftechnicalskillsincluding:Mediademonstrationsandpractice,drawingfromdirectobservation,practicingspecificskillsandapproachesfortheexam.Processworkincluding:researchandinvestigation,developingideas,compositionandtechnicalskills,self-evaluationexercises,creatingfinishedartworks.


Analysisofartworks(asaclass/group),groupcritiques


Studentshavealotofchoiceaboutthedirectiontheywanttopursueforthecourseworkcomponent.


Notallstudentsarepreparedfortheamountoftimetheyshouldbespendinginthestudio.

Otherinformation Thecourseworkcomponentofthecourseinparticular,preparesstudentsverywellforIBDPVisualArts.Therearenoentryrequirements,butstudentsshouldbecarefulnottotakethiscourseasan‘easyoption’,asthecourseworkrequirementsaresubstantial.



IGCSE MusicFullsubjecttitle Music

Syllabusnumber 0410

%Coursework 30%Performing

30%Composing

%Oralassessment N/A

%Finalexam 40%ListeningExamination

Sometopicscovered Westernclassicalmusic,worldmusic,compositionskillsandperformanceskills.

Coursedescription Musicisoneofthemostenjoyableandcreativesubjectsprovidesstudentswithanopportunityforself-expressionandcreativity.Studentsarerequiredtopushtheirperformanceabilities,theircompositionskillsaswellasdevelopingthecomprehensionandlisteningskills.


Priorexperienceinmusicisnecessary.Youwillneedtohaveaskillinperforminganinstrument,whichcanincludethevoice.


Anystudentwithapassionformusic.Studentsthatcanshowdedicationandcommitmenttoimprovingtheirmusicalskills.Studentswhotakethiscoursewillrealisealotofworkhappensoutsideoftheclassroomaswellasinsidetheclassroom.


Studentswhocannotseeprojectsthroughtotheend.Studentswhoareunwillingtotrynewthingsandbeadventurous.


Individualandgroupperformances,musichistoryandculture.Auraltraining,musictheoryexercises,musiccomposition.


Individualandgroupperformances,musichistoryandculture.Auraltraining,musictheoryexercises,musiccomposition.


Playingandcreatingmusic.


Studentstendtoenjoymostareasofthecourse,buttimedemandsprovidethebiggestissues,astimeneedstobededicatedtopractising.

Otherinformation Entryrequirementsincludeabasicknowledgeinmusictheoryandproficientabilityinamusicalinstrument.



IGCSE options Form Beforeyoumakeyourfinaloptionchoicesitisimportantthatyouhavecompletedthefollowing:

§ readtheOptionsBooklet

§ discussedyourchoiceswithyourparents

§ discussedyoursuitabilityforthecoursewithyourteacher

§ lookedathowyouroptionchoicesmayaffectyourIBDPcoursechoices

§ researcheduniversitycoursestoseewhatspecificIGCSEsyoumightneedforentry

Family name:_____________________________ First name:______________________________________________

Date of birth: _____________________________ Student ID:______________________________________________

Gender: oMale oFemale Tutor group:_____________________________________________

Do you have a future career/careers in mind? List them below:

Where do you intend to go to university? List the country/countries or institutions below:

What subjects/qualifications do you need for your chosen university course? List them below:

What subjects do you intend to take in the IB Diploma? What IGCSE courses must you take to support this?



IGCSE options blocksCompulsorySubject-allstudentstakethese Options - choose ONE from each column

1 2 3 4 A B C

Maths English PE GP Korean DT ArtVietnamese Chinese Music Biology

Economics Chemistry EconomicsPhysics Geography Physics

IT

AllVietnamesenationalsmusttakeVietnameseinblock4.

AllotherstudentstakeGlobalPerspectivesinthisblock.

Please choose onE subject from blocks a, b and C

Subject

OptionA

OptionB

OptionC

Notes:

_______________________________ _________________________________

Studentsignature: Date:

_______________________________ _________________________________

Parentssignature: Date:

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Documents

IGCSE Handbook Subject Selection Guide• IGCSE Physics • IGCSE Design Technology • IGCSE Art and Design • IGCSE Music ... % Final exam 50% Reading Passages ... summaries, answering