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  • Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539)

Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539)

Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language is designed for learners who already have a working knowledge of the language and who want to consolidate their understanding to progress their education or career. Through their studies, learners gain an understanding of how to use Urdu effectively in the type of situations, and Urdu-speaking environments, they will encounter in their daily lives. 

The syllabus focuses on the linked language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Through their study of Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language, learners can achieve a level of practical communication ideal for everyday use, which can also form the basis for further, more in-depth language study.

Syllabuses

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

  • 2020 Syllabus (PDF, 288KB)
  • 2021 Syllabus (PDF, 351KB)
  • 2022 - 2024 Syllabus (PDF, 249KB)

Syllabus Support

  • Guide to delivering speaking tests (PDF, 99KB)
  • Support for Urdu as a Second Language (PDF, 809KB)

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).

Syllabus update

Sign up for updates about changes to the syllabuses you teach

  • To make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools, we review all of our syllabuses regularly.

    We have made some changes to this syllabus to improve the way we assess students and make better use of the language testing tools available at this level. The syllabus now matches the approach and demand of our other second language syllabuses, including English as a Second language. These changes are for assessment in 2021.

    How has the syllabus changed?

    We have:

    • refreshed the aims and assessment objectives (AOs)
    • added the AO weightings for each component to the syllabus
    • introduced a new topic, the environment, into the general conversation topics for the speaking test.

    How has the assessment changed?

    We have made the following changes to the 2021 assessment:

    Paper 1: Reading and writing:

    • Exercise 2 is now a multiple matching task.
    • The marking criteria for Exercise 4 has changed - there are now 4 marks for content and 6 marks for language.
    • Exercise 4 now uses the text for Exercise 3 as the topic for the summary.

    Paper 2: Listening:

    • Exercise 3 is now a multiple matching task.
    • Exercise 4 is now a multiple choice task.

    Component 3: Speaking:

    • The speaking assessment criteria has changed to to make it easier for teachers to apply.

    When do these changes take place?

    The updated syllabus is for examination in June 2021. Please see the syllabus above for full details.


    Coming soon

    We are developing a wide range of support to help you plan and teach the 2021 syllabus.

    Support

    Look out for a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the 2021 syllabus including a scheme of work, Example candidate responses, Learner and Teacher Guides as well as specimen paper answers. These resources will be available from April 2019 onwards (before first teaching) through our School Support Hub.

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