Group 1 offers the subjects First Language English, English as a Second Language and Modern Languages (French and Spanish). Click on the + icon to view more information.
First Language English
This course is intended for students who are native or near-native speakers and it encompasses the key skills of reading and writing. At ISL, we do not currently take the Speaking and Listening option. The course is delivered to 2 levels, Core and Extended; during the course, the teacher will discuss with the student and parent, which level of final examination will most suit their ability.
Course Aims
The aims of the First Language English course are as follows:
| To enable learners to understand and respond to what they read and experience. |
| To enable learners to communicate accurately, appropriately, confidently and effectively. |
| To encourage learners to enjoy and appreciate a variety of language. |
| To complement learners’ ability to work with information and ideas in other areas of study, for example, by developing skills in analysis, synthesis and the drawing of inferences. |
| To promote learners’ personal development and an understanding of themselves and others. |
Assessment Objectives
The assessment objectives for the First Language English course are as follows:
| Demonstrate understanding of explicit and implicit meanings and attitudes. |
| Select, analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions for specific purposes. |
| Demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effect. |
| Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined. |
| Sequence facts, ideas and opinions. |
| Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and register appropriate to audience and context. |
| Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. |
Assessment
Assessment is by external examination at the end of the 2 year course; there are 2 tiers of entry, Core and Extended:
| Paper 1 | Reading Passage (Core) 1 hours 45 minutes Eligible for Grades C-G 50% of total marks |
| Paper 2 | Reading Passages (Extended) 2 hours Eligible for Grades A-E on this component 50% of total marks |
| Paper 3 | Directed Writing and Composition (for all candidates) 2 hours Eligible for Grades A-G on this component 50% of total mark |
English as a Second Language
This course is intended for students who are developing their language acquisition and it encompasses the key skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course is delivered to two levels: Core and Extended; during the course, the teacher will discuss with the student and parent, which level of final examination will most suit their ability.
Course Aims
The aims of the English as a Second Language course are as follows:
| To develop learners’ ability to use English effectively for practical communication. |
| To form a solid foundation for the skills required for further study or employment using English. |
| To develop learners’ awareness of the nature of language and language-learning skills. |
| To promote learners’ personal development. |
Assessment Objectives
The assessment objectives for the English as a Second Language course are as follows:
| Identify and retrieve facts and details. |
| Understand and select relevant information and organize responses. |
| Recognise and understand ideas, opinions, attitudes, connections and implications/inferences. |
| Communicate information clearly, accurately, appropriately and effectively. |
| Employ and control a variety of grammatical structures. |
| Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of appropriate vocabulary |
| Observe conventions of paragraphing, punctuation, spelling and appropriate registers/styles. |
| Engage in and influence the direction of conversation. |
| Employ suitable pronunciation and stress patterns. |
Assessment
Assessment is by external examination at the end of the two year course; there are 2 tiers of entry, Core and Extended:
| Paper 1 | Reading and Writing (Core) 1 hour 30 minutes Eligible for grades C-G 70% of total marks |
| Paper 2 | Reading and Writing (Extended) 2 hours Eligible for grades A*-E 70% of total marks |
| Paper 3 | Listening (Core) Approx. 30-40 minutes Eligible for grades C-G 15% of total marks |
| Paper 4 | Listening (Extended) Approx. 45 minutes Eligible for grades A*-E 15% of total mark |
Modern Languages
The IGCSE Modern Languages course at ISL, as elsewhere, is essentially a 2year course leading to examination at 16+. The majority, though, of our students will have studied the language in Years 7-9 and also, in many cases, some years in Primary. We could therefore say that the IGCSE Modern Language course is really a 5 year course, gradually leading to examination in Year 11. The International School of Lusaka offers French and Spanish and a selection of self taught languages.
The Modern Languages Department recognizes that our students, in line with the school’s admission policy, come from many different social, cultural, linguistic, racial and religious backgrounds and that the range of ability is often very wide. We also recognize that for many of our students, French or Spanish may well be the third or more Foreign Language that they have learned, something that we endeavour to turn to the students’ advantage wherever possible. We try to relate wherever possible the study of the Foreign Language to whatever linguistic background or whatever previous experience of language learning that our students may have.
The exam board used by ISL at IGCSE level is CIE (Cambridge International Examinations). Its stated aims are described below. Clearly some of the following aims are more relevant to Foreign Language learners in Zambia than others, but in general we feel that the list gives a good summary of what we would like our students to strive towards
Course Aims
The aims of the Modern Languages course is as follows:
| Develop the ability to use the language effectively for purposes of practical communication within the country of residence, where appropriate, and in all the countries where the language is spoken. |
| Form a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes required for further work, study or leisure. |
| Offer insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries where the language is spoken which may include literature where appropriate;. |
| Encourage fuller integration into the local community, where relevant. |
| Encourage fuller integration into the local community, where relevant. |
| Encourage positive attitudes towards foreign language learning and towards speakers of foreign languages and a sympathetic approach to other cultures and civilisations. |
| Provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation. |
| Complement other areas of study by encouraging skills of a more general application (eg analysis, memorising, drawing of inferences, etc). |
Assessment
There is no internal written coursework. Assessment is done by final examination as follows:
| Paper 1 | Listening. |
| Paper 2 | Reading. |
| Paper 3 | Speaking. |
| Paper 4 | Continuous Writing. |
Syllabus Content
The Modern Language syllabus is divided into 5 broad areas. These are:
| Area A : Everyday Activities | Home life and school. Food, health and fitness. |
| Area B : Personal and Social Life | Self, family and personal relationships. Holidays and special occasions. |
| Area C : The World Around Us | Home town and local area. Natural and man made environment. People, places and customs. |
| Area D : The World of Work | Continuing education, careers and employment. Language and communication in the work place. |
| Area E : The International World | Tourism at home and abroad. Life in other countries and communities. World events and issues. |