specification overview
Cambridge IGCSE French Foreign Language (0520) is a single-tier linear qualification with three externally-marked papers (Listening, Reading, Writing) plus a Speaking test. Papers are typically weighted 25% listening, 25% reading, 25% writing, 25% speaking, testing communication across 5 topic areas.
subject content
1. Everyday activities
All papers- Home life and school
- Food and health
- Travel and transport
2. Personal and social life
All papers- Self, family, personal relationships
- Holidays and free time
- Special occasions
3. The world around us
All papers- Home town and geographical surroundings
- Natural environment and weather
- People, places and customs of French-speaking countries
4. The world of work
All papers- Further education and training
- Future career plans
- Employment and communication in the workplace
5. The international world
All papers- Tourism at home and abroad
- Life in other countries and communities
- World events and issues
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Listening) | Listening comprehension across all 5 topics | Approximately 50 minutes, including 6 minutes' transfer time | 40 | 25% | Multiple-choice, matching and short-answer questions in French and English |
| Paper 2 (Reading) | Reading comprehension across all 5 topics | 1h | 45 | 25% | Multiple-choice, matching, short-answer questions in French and English |
| Paper 3 (Speaking) | Speaking across 5 topics | Approximately 10 minutes, plus 10 minutes' preparation time | 40 | 25% | One role play and conversations on two topics. Teacher-conducted, externally moderated by Cambridge |
| Paper 4 (Writing) | Written production in French across topics | 1h | 45 | 25% | Three tasks: a form-filling task, one directed writing task, one email/letter or article/blog |
Cambridge IGCSE French is designed for learners of French as a foreign language. It's linear and untiered, graded A*-G (the 9-1 graded version is a separate syllabus, Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) French 7156). Speaking is teacher-conducted and externally moderated by Cambridge.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Listening: understand and respond to spoken language. | 25% |
| AO2 | Reading: understand and respond to written language. | 25% |
| AO3 | Speaking: communicate and interact effectively in speech. | 25% |
| AO4 | Writing: communicate in writing. | 25% |
key tips for success
Practise all 4 skills equally
Each skill is 25%. Don't neglect the one you find weakest, the balanced weighting means small gains in weak skills lift your grade fastest.
Learn core vocabulary systematically
Cambridge doesn't publish a strict defined list, but the syllabus lists topic vocabulary. Learn 20-30 core words per topic area.
Master 3-4 tenses
Present, perfect, imperfect, near future are essential. Higher-scoring answers use conditional and subjunctive. Learn -er, -ir, -re regular endings plus être, avoir, aller, faire.
Practise speaking with a partner
Speaking is roughly 10 minutes: one role play plus conversations on two topics. Practise weekly with a partner, focus on natural pronunciation and topic vocab.
Learn opinion phrases
Writing rewards opinions with justification. Learn phrases: à mon avis, je pense que, je trouve que, ce qui me plaît, ce qui m'énerve.
Practise past papers
Cambridge past papers are widely available. Do timed practice for each of the 4 skills.
Where to next
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