Cambridge International A Level

English Language
Syllabus outline
Cambridge Advanced
Syllabus code 9093
Through their study, learners develop their skills in
textual analysis, writing creatively, identifying and
using appropriate styles and registers for different
contexts and understanding how language is used
to inform and persuade.
This new qualication offers learners a progression
route from our existing Cambridge International
AS Level in English Language and provides a rm
foundation for further study of English language or
linguistics. It joins the existing suite of Cambridge
English qualications to offer a wider choice for
students, depending on their interests and what they
are intending to do after this stage of their education.
During their study, learners consider and analyse
examples drawn from a range of English language
sources including advertisements, brochures, news
stories, articles, scripted speeches and blogs as
well as narrative or descriptive writing.
They demonstrate their own writing skills by
writing for a specied audience. Learners also
undertake research into the use and development
of the English language with a choice of topics
Exploring the use of contemporary English language
Cambridge International A Level English Language
Syllabus code 9093
including Spoken language and social groups,
English as a global language, and Language
acquisition by children and teenagers.
By studying different forms, styles and contexts
of the language, learners rene their ability to
read and analyse material, while gaining a greater
knowledge and understanding. The skills and ability
to write clearly, accurately, creatively, effectively
and persuasively for different purposes and
audiences, are also developed.
Teacher support
Comprehensive support for Cambridge
International A Level English Language will include:
a Teacher Guide and schemes of work
a recommended resource list
a training package including face-to-face and
online training.
These will be available on the Cambridge Teacher
Support website from September 2012.
Cambridge International A Level
English Language is contemporary
and relevant and develops skills
that students will actually use in all
walks of life. It is a tremendously
practical course.
Cambridge teacher, Kenya
Cambridge International A Level English Language is a new qualication offering
learners the opportunity to study the English language and its use in contemporary
communication. The syllabus encourages them to consider language used in a variety
of forms that embrace the spoken and digital as well as the printed word.
Assessment through
written examination
Cambridge International A Level English Language
has four written examination papers. Two of these
make up the Cambridge International AS Level
and two the Advanced Level components. It can
be achieved either as a staged assessment over
different examination series or in one
examination series.
For Cambridge International AS Level, candidates take:
Paper 1 Passages
Candidates answer two questions question 1
(compulsory), then either question 2 or 3. Each
question is based on one passage (or on a number
of passages with the same theme). Texts will be
taken from a variety of English language sources
including advertisements, brochures, leaets, news
stories, articles, blogs, podcasts, scripted speeches
or narratives and descriptive writing.
Each question is in two parts; candidates are
required to comment on the use of language in
the passage and complete a directed writing task
based on the passage.
Paper 2 Writing
Candidates answer two questions from a choice of
three in each section: one from Section A and one
from Section B.
For Section A (Imaginative Writing) candidates
write a narrative or descriptive piece of continuous
writing of 600900 words (or two shorter, linked
pieces), demonstrating that they can write
imaginatively and use language to create narrative,
moods or description.
For Section B (Writing for an Audience) candidates
write a piece of continuous writing of 600-900
words (or two shorter, linked pieces) in a specied
form and for a specied audience. These may
include a magazine feature, article, review, letter
to a newspaper, scripted speech or voiceover.
Candidates need to demonstrate that they can
present their views clearly, develop an argument
carefully and write coherently and persuasively.
This new syllabus exposes
students to a greater variety of
written and spoken forms. It is
related to the changing needs of
a global education.
Cambridge teacher, India
For the Cambridge International A Level
components, candidates take:
Paper 3 Text analysis
This paper has two questions and candidates must
answer both. Both questions require candidates to
analyse a piece of text. Learners need to identify
features of written and spoken language such
as vocabulary, word order, sentence structure,
gurative language and the communication of
attitudes, bias or prejudice.
One of the texts will be a transcript of a speech,
script or spoken material; the other will be taken
from forms such as advertisements, reviews,
blogs, brochures and news stories.
Paper 4 Language topics
This paper has three questions on separate topics.
Candidates can choose any two questions. Each
question includes a short passage of text relating
to one of the topics. Candidates are expected to
refer to this and to their own wider reading and
research in their answers.

The topics for examination in 2014 and 2015 are:
Topic A Spoken language and social groups
Study areas include: specic features of spoken
language inuenced by context; the use of
language to include and exclude; group identity,
power and status; slang, jargon and other non-
standard features; idiolect/sociolect/dialect; speech
sounds and accents; theories and studies of social
variation in language.
Topic B English as a global language
Study areas include: issues arising from differing
ideas of world/global/international English; the local
status of English; Englishes standard and non-
standard varieties; cultural effects;
language-planning policies; language death.
Topic C Child language acquisition
Study areas include: development from 05,
including holophrastic, telegraphic and post-
telegraphic stages; the different functions of
childrens language; knowledge of some of the
theories of how children acquire language.
Cambridge International A Level English Language
Syllabus code 9093
The new Cambridge International
A Level in English Language is
directly related to texts which appear
regularly in the life of students in and
out of school.
Cambridge teacher, Argentina
Cambridge International A Level English Language
Syllabus code 9093
Assessment objectives
For Cambridge International A Level English
Language, candidates are assessed on their
ability to:
read with understanding and analyse texts in
a variety of forms
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
English language (including spoken language at
A Level) and its use in a variety of contexts
write clearly, accurately, creatively and
effectively for different purposes/audiences,
using different forms.
Cambridge International
AS and A Levels
international recognition
Cambridge International AS and A Levels are
internationally benchmarked qualications providing
excellent preparation for university education. They
are part of the Cambridge Advanced stage which
includes Cambridge International AS and A Level
and Cambridge Pre-U.
Taken in more than 125 countries and offering
a choice of more than 60 subjects, Cambridge
International AS and A Level qualications are
widely recognised by universities and employers
alike. Every year, thousands of Cambridge
International A Level students gain places at the
world's universities.
Schools and learners nd Cambridge International
AS and A Levels very exible. Schools can offer
almost any combination of the wide choice of
subjects available. Learners have the freedom to
select the subjects that are right for them they
either follow a broad course of study, or specialise
in a particular area.
Together with schools, we aim to develop
Cambridge learners who are condent, innovative,
responsible, reective and engaged equipped for
success in the fast-changing modern world.
The new Cambridge International
A Level English Language will
facilitate our students' research skills
and the content will expose them to
a variety of texts.
Cambridge teacher, New Zealand
Cambridge International A Level English Language
Syllabus code 9093
Support for teachers
Take advantage of the range of support, training
and events for teachers that we offer.
Support online: Cambridge schools can access
all the materials they need to teach Cambridge
syllabuses including past question papers, mark
schemes, examiner reports, schemes of work,
lesson plans and discussion forums. Learn more
at www.cie.org.uk/teachers
Expert advice: Our subject experts are there
to help you at all stages of your teaching year
with a range of discussion forums and Ask the
Examiner sessions.
Training and professional development:
Cambridge teachers can build their knowledge
and skills through the Cambridge Professional
Development programme. Whether you are
interested in furthering your subject knowledge,
developing your teaching skills or networking
with other professional colleagues there are online
and face-to-face opportunities.
Textbooks and resources: We have a wide range of
textbooks published to support our syllabuses and
these are kept under constant review check on the
website for the latest materials www.cie.org.uk
Support for learners
Cambridge provides tailored resources to help
learners succeed. Past papers, resource lists,
revision checklists and useful web links for
many subjects are on the Cambridge website
www.cie.org.uk
Support for exams ofcers
Cambridge exams ofcers can trust in reliable,
efcient administration of exams entry and
excellent customer support from the Cambridge
Customer Services team.
International recognition
Cambridge qualications are recognised around
the world by schools, universities and employers.
Learn more at www.cie.org.uk/recognition
Regular updates and news
Cambridge has a regular publishing programme
which includes Cambridge Outlook magazine and
regular newsletters which are distributed by email.
Our website www.cie.org.uk is the main
hub for information for the international
Cambridge community.
Join the Cambridge community for world-class support
Cambridge foundation for success
University of Cambridge International Examinations is the worlds largest provider of international
education programmes and qualications for 5 to 19 year olds. We are part of the University of
Cambridge, one of the worlds top universities, and trusted for excellence in education.
Our qualications are recognised by the worlds universities and employers.
*9133484173* University of Cambridge International Examinations, May 2012
Learn more! Getting in touch with Cambridge is easy. For more information on Cambridge International
A Level English Language go to www.cie.org.uk/alevel, email us at international@cie.org.uk
or telephone +44 (0)1223 553554