English as a second Language

1. English as a
Second Language
Course code: 4ES1

2. Course Structure
• Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Paper 2: Listening
• Paper 3: Speaking (optional)
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

3. Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Part 1 (10 marks) – Reading Section
Stimulus text types: a collection of short texts (e.g. adverts, a
timetable, a leaflet giving advice). • Task types: multiple matching
and/or multiple choice.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

4. Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Part 2 (15 marks) – Reading Section
oStimulus text types: a longer extract from leaflets, adverts, articles, etc.
oTask types: any two or three from multiple choice, short answer questions,
true/false/not given, note completion, sentence completion, diagram
completion and summary completion
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

5. Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Part 3 (20 marks) – Reading Section
oStimulus text types: a long piece of text/prose, possibly from academic
sources, e.g. reports, articles, etc. but will be of general interest.
oTask types: any two or three from multiple choice, short answer questions,
true/false/not given, note completion, sentence completion, diagram
completion and summary completion.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

6. Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Part 4 (10 marks) – Writing Section
oTask overview: an informal piece of writing in the form of a letter,
email or postcard, e.g. to a school friend, in response to a given
situation.
oLength of written text required: 75–100 words.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

7. Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Part 5 (20 marks) – Writing Section
oTask overview: A semi-formal piece of writing in the form of a report,
article, semi-formal letter, e.g. for the school magazine, or a response to a
job advert.
oStimulus provided: a very short description of a situation which sets
context and outlines what should be included in the written text.
oLength of written text required: 100–150 words.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

8. Paper 1: Reading and Writing
• Part 6 (25 marks) – Writing Section
oTask overview: a semi-formal or formal piece of writing in the form of a summary
of a general interest article, e.g. for a teacher.
o Stimulus provided: one or two short texts of no more than 500 words in total.
o 5 marks are awarded for reading and extracting relevant material from the text(s)
as defined by the guidance given in the question.
oLength of written text required: 100–150 words.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

9. Paper 2: Listening
• Part 1 (10 marks)
oStimulus text types: a short monologue giving factual information, for
example public announcements, telephone messages or pre-recorded
information.
oTask types: multiple matching or multiple choice, and short answer
questions.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

10. Paper 2: Listening
• Part 2 (10 marks)
oStimulus text types: a longer recording which may be in the form of a
monologue or guided dialogue, such as a radio broadcast.
oTask types: multiple choice, note/sentence/chart/table/diagram
completion, short-answer questions.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

11. Paper 2: Listening
• Part 3 (10 marks)
oStimulus text types: a longer recording which may be in the form of a
transactional duologue where speakers are negotiating meaning, such
as an interview.
oTask types: multiple choice, note/sentence/chart/table/diagram
completion, short-answer questions.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1

12. Paper 2: Listening
• Part 4 (10 marks)
oStimulus text types: a longer recording which may be in the form of a
monologue or guided dialogue, usually covering a more academic
topic.
oTask types: multiple choice, note/sentence/chart/table/diagram
completion, short-answer questions.
English as a Second Language – 4ES1