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  • Cambridge O Level English Language (1123)

Cambridge O Level English Language (1123)

Syllabus overview

Cambridge O Level English Language is designed for learners who speak English at home or at school, at near first language level.

The course enables learners to:

  • develop the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively when writing
  • use a wide range of vocabulary, and the correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
  • develop a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed.

Learners are also encouraged to read widely, both for their own enjoyment and to further their awareness of the ways in which English can be used. Cambridge O Level English Language also develops more general analysis and communication skills such as inference, and the ability to order facts and present opinions effectively.

The syllabus complements other areas of study by encouraging skills of more general application.

Syllabuses

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

  • 2023 Syllabus (PDF, 294KB)
  • 2024-2026 Syllabus (PDF, 300KB)
    • 2024 - 2026 Syllabus update (PDF, 144KB)

Syllabus updates

  • Summary of the changes
    • We revise our qualifications regularly to make sure that they continue to meet the needs of learners, schools and higher education institutions around the world and reflect current thinking.

      What are the main changes to the syllabus?

      To support teachers and learners, we have:

      • updated the syllabus aims and assessment objectives
      • updated the syllabus content to continue to reflect current educational thinking and practice. There is more information and new wording but the teaching content remains largely the same
      • introduced a list of command words to the syllabus to help learners understand what will be expected of them in the exam.

      What are the main changes to the assessment?

      • The order of the question papers has changed to: Paper 1 Reading and Paper 2 Writing.
      • There are significant changes to the style, format and content of the questions in Paper 1 Reading and in Paper 2 Writing. Please see the syllabus, specimen papers and marking criteria for more detail about these changes.
      • There is more integration of skills across the papers with more writing skills assessed in the Reading paper and more reading skills assessed in the Writing paper.
      • The duration of both examinations (Paper 1 and Paper 2) has increased to 2 hours each.

      When do these changes take place?

      The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2024 onwards. Examinations are available in March 2024 for India only. Please see the 2024-2026 syllabus above for full details.

  • Teaching and learning resources
    • Coming soon

      We are developing a comprehensive range of resources to help teachers deliver this updated syllabus.

      We aim to provide a scheme of work and other relevant classroom resources. Example Candidate Responses will be available following the first examination in 2024. Visit the School Support Hub from June 2022 onwards for details.

      Endorsed resources

      View the latest endorsed resources that are being developed by our endorsement partners for this syllabus.

      Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Second edition) (Hodder Education) front cover

      Cambridge O Level English Language (Second edition) (Hodder Education)

      Written by renowned expert authors, our Cambridge O Level English Language Student’s Book enables learners to effectively and successfully master the content of the revised syllabus (1123) for examination from 2024.

      Read more on the Hodder Education website

      Cambridge O Level English Language (Third edition) (Cambridge University Press)

      Cambridge O Level English Language (Third edition) (Cambridge University Press)

      Work through the Cambridge O Level English Language syllabus with clear and accessible resources. Includes ‘Language support’ boxes for quick and easy tips, as well as exam-style questions and sample answer.

      Read more on the Cambridge University Press website

Subscribe to syllabus updates

Important notices

  • English for every learner
    • Find out more about our range of English syllabuses to suit every level and ambition.

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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