Cambridge IGCSE Hindi as a Second Language

by Nandana Surendran

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

Aims of the Syllabus

The aims are to-
• Develop the ability to use Hindi effectively for the purpose of practical communication
• Form a sound base for the skills required for further study or employment using Hindi as the medium
• Develop an awareness of the nature of language and language-learning skills
• Encourage learners’ use of the expanding body of new vocabulary in Hindi
• Promote learners’ personal development.

Subject Content

1. Reading
• Understand public notices and signs (including timetables and advertisements)
• Identify and select correct details from simple texts
• Select and organise relevant information from a range of texts that are likely to be within the experience of young people and reflecting the interests of people from varied cultural backgrounds, such as blogs, brochures, emails, forms, imaginative writing, letters, magazines, newspapers and webpages
• Identify some ideas, opinions and attitudes in a range of texts
• Understand what is implied but not directly stated within a text, such as gist, opinion, writer’s purpose and intention
• Identify the important points or themes within an extended piece of writing
• Draw conclusions from an extended text and recognise connections between related ideas within a text

2. Writing
• Communicate factual information, ideas and arguments in short and extended writing tasks in appropriate and accurate Hindi
• Respond to a written stimulus and use appropriate register and style/format for the given purpose and audience, such as a summary, an informal letter/email, an article, a report or review
• Use a range of grammatical structures, punctuation and vocabulary
• Express opinions and use appropriate register/style
• Select and organise information and ideas into coherent paragraphs and use a range of linking devices

3. Listening
• Understand factual information and ideas from a range of sources, such as a recorded phone message, news or weather report, travel broadcast, interview, dialogue, memoir or telephone conversation
• Identify relevant information and select correct details from a range of sources
• Identify ideas, opinions and attitudes from a range of sources and understand the connections between them
• Show some awareness of what is implied but not directly stated, such as gist, purpose and intention

4. Speaking (optional)
• Communicate factual information, ideas and arguments
• Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures using suitable pronunciation and intonation
• Organise and link ideas with a range of appropriate linking devices
• Give a short, clear presentation without a script on a chosen topic
• Demonstrate competence in a range of speech activities, such as respond to questions on topics within a defined range (for example, past and present schooling, future plans and current affairs)
• Take part in a conversation and demonstrate flexibility in dealing with new ideas and other speakers’ responses
• Show a sense of audience

Objectives of Assessment

1. Reading

  • Identify and select relevant information
  • Understand ideas, opinions and attitudes
  • Show understanding of the connections between ideas, opinions and attitudes
  • Understand what is implied but not directly stated, e.g. gist, writer’s purpose, intention and feelings

2. Writing

  • Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly, accurately and effectively
  • Organise ideas into coherent paragraphs using a range of appropriate linking devices
  • Use a range of grammatical structures and vocabulary accurately and effectively
  • Show control of punctuation and spelling
  • Use appropriate register and style/format for the given purpose and audience

3. Listening

  • Identify and select relevant information
  • Understand ideas, opinions and attitudes
  • Show understanding of the connections between ideas, opinions and attitudes
  • Understand what is implied but not directly stated, e.g. gist, speaker’s purpose, intention and feelings

4. Speaking

  • Communicate ideas/opinions clearly, accurately and effectively
  • Develop responses and link ideas using a range of appropriate linking devices
  • Use a range of grammatical structures and vocabulary accurately and effectively
  • Show control of pronunciation and intonation patterns
  • Engage in a conversation and contribute effectively to help move the conversation forward

Assessment

Paper 1
Reading and Writing
2 hours
Weighting- 67%
60 marks
Written examination consisting of six exercises that test a range of reading
and writing skills. Types of task include: short answer questions, multiple
matching, note-making, summary writing, functional writing and extended writing. Externally assessed.

Paper 2
Listening
Approx. 35–45 minutes
Weighting- 33%
30 marks
Written examination consisting of four exercises that test listening skills. Candidates listen to recordings of short and longer spoken texts. Types of task
include: short answer questions, gap-fill sentences, information correction and
multiple-choice questions. Externally assessed.

Candidates can choose to take-

Component 3
Speaking Separately endorsed
60 marks
Approx. 10–12 minutes
The speaking test consists of three parts: candidates give a two- to threeminute presentation, followed by a short discussion with the examiner about the presentation, followed by a short conversation with the examiner about general topics. Internally assessed/externally moderated.

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