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  • Cambridge IGCSE Chinese (Mandarin) - Foreign Language (0547)

Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese - Foreign Language (0547)

Syllabus overview

This syllabus is designed for learners who are learning Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language. The aim is to develop an ability to use the language effectively for practical communication. The course is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, and these are built on as learners progress through their studies.

The syllabus also aims to offer insights into the culture of countries where Mandarin Chinese is spoken, thus encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and towards speakers of other languages.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

  • 2022 - 2024 Syllabus (PDF, 678KB)
    • 2022 - 2024 Syllabus update (PDF, 165KB)
  • 2025 - 2027 Syllabus (PDF, 1MB)

Syllabus support

  • Additional Support for the Speaking Examination (PDF, 369KB)
  • Defined Content Booklet (for first examination in June 2015) (ZIP, 584KB)

Syllabus updates

  • Summary of the changes
    • We review all of our syllabuses regularly to make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools. We have updated this syllabus and all assessment materials to improve how learners understand and produce both written and spoken texts in Chinese. These changes are for examination from 2022. 

      How has the syllabus changed?

      The 2022 syllabus aims to develop language proficiency at A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR). We have:

      • updated the vocabulary list
      • revised the assessment objectives
      • included the sub-skills candidates are expected to develop in the content section.

      Visit the CEFR website for more information on the framework and levels.

      How has the assessment changed?

      • Some task types in Paper 1 Listening, Paper 2 Reading and Paper 4 Writing have been updated.
      • The Speaking test (Paper 3) has been updated. Candidates will complete one role play (consisting of five tasks) and two topic conversations.
      • We have made it clearer which sub-skills are assessed in each paper and have included these in the syllabus document.
      • Updated assessment objectives now align with relevant CEFR level descriptors and ‘can do’ statements. 

      When do these changes take place?

      The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2022 onwards. Please see the 2022-2024 syllabus above for full details.

  • Teaching and learning resources
    • Support

      We have a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the 2022-2024 syllabus including:

      • Scheme of work
      • Learner guide
      • Specimen Paper answers
      • Example Candidate Responses.

      These materials are available on our School Support Hub.

      Endorsed resources

      View supporting resources for Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese (0547).

      Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese (Cambridge University Press)

      Mandarin for Cambridge IGCSE (Cambridge University Press)

      Students explore engaging topics – such as festivals – through texts, images and audio enhanced activities that bring the language and culture to life. The skills-based approach helps students remember the language as they practise with classmates.

      Read more on the Cambridge University press website

      Cambridge Mandarin Chinese (Hodder)

      Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese (Hodder)

      Provide guidance, exercises and examples in all four key skills, with speaking, listening, reading and writing integrated into every chapter; updated to support the latest Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese (0547) syllabus.

      Read more on the Hodder website

Subscribe to syllabus updates

Important notices

  • Listening exams 2022
    • From June 2022, for the listening exam, candidates will submit their answers on a multiple-choice answer sheet. They will not submit them on the question paper. At the end of the exam candidates will have six minutes to transfer their answers from the question paper onto the multiple-choice answer sheet. Find out more information and view a sample multiple-choice answer sheet.

  • Regulation
    • From 2020 examination this syllabus will no longer be regulated by the qualifications and examnations regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Changes to the syllabus and specimen papers reflect the change in regulated status. This syllabus will continue to be available worldwide.

  • Grade descriptions
    • For some subjects, the syllabus states that Grade Descriptions will be made available after first assessment in 2020, 2021 or 2022.

      Publication of grade descriptions was paused in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the grading standard that have been in place for 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are currently working on producing these grade descriptions. This work will make sure that grade descriptions reflect examination outcomes appropriately and are based on the more stable grading standard that we expect to have in place for June 2023 onwards.

  • Front covers
    • From 2020, we have made some changes to the wording and layout of the front covers of our question papers to reflect the new Cambridge International branding and to make instructions clearer for candidates - learn more.

  • Submit for Assessment
    • Check the Submit for Assessment page and the samples database for information and guidance on submitting moderated and examined work using Submit for Assessment.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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